Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Quinoa Salad with Avocado

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-02 · Updated 2026-08-02

Light and refreshing quinoa salad tossed with lemon-garlic shrimp, creamy avocado, fresh herbs, and crunchy vegetables. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, large shrimp, peeled and deveined for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 medium avocado, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water and combine with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Let cool.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 lb peeled shrimp, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, cooked shrimp, 1 diced avocado, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced cucumber, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Toss gently to mix all ingredients and serve chilled or at room temperature.