Name: Shrimp Avocado Salad (20 Minutes!)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Large shrimp ((31/40 size, peeled and deveined)); 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 2 tbsp Olive oil; 2 cloves Garlic ((minced)); 1 tbsp Lime juice; 1 medium Avocado ((chopped)); 1/2 medium Red onion ((sliced thinly)); 1 large Red bell pepper ((chopped)); 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro ((chopped)); 2 tbsp Olive oil; 1 tbsp Lime juice; 1 tsp Sea salt; 1/2 tsp Black pepper

Free: Healthy Freezer Meals Recipe Ebook

Get It Now

This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free. (Full disclosure)

Table Of Contents show

When you need a change from plain bowls of leafy greens, this shrimp avocado salad recipe is the perfect dish! With tender spiced shrimp, creamy avocado, crisp veggies, and an herby, tangy dressing, avocado shrimp salad makes a refreshing meal when you don’t feel like cooking much.

This salad is a lot like an avocado chicken salad or shrimp ceviche, but with a zesty Cajun flair like my Cajun shrimp Caesar salad. You can certainly serve it on its own, but see below for other serving ideas! If you want a creamier salad, try my shrimp salad next!

Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Avocado Salad Recipe

Zesty, fresh taste
Juicy shrimp, creamy avocado, and crunch from diced veggies
Basic ingredients and prep
Done in 20 minutes
Naturally gluten-free, low carb, keto, paleo, and whole30

Tossed shrimp avocado salad in a serving bowl.

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for salad with shrimp and avocado, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Salad:

Large Shrimp – Smaller shrimp works best (I used 31/40 size), so that it’s in bite-sized pieces. If you use larger shrimp, you may want to chop it up before mixing into the salad. Make sure your shrimp is peeled and deveined. Leave the tails on for best flavor, or remove them for more convenient eating.
Cajun Seasoning – You can use a pre-made blend, or make your own homemade Cajun seasoning with a few simple ingredients. My version already has salt, but you’ll want to add salt to the shrimp if yours is unsalted. Alternatively, you can swap this with taco seasoning for a Mexican spin.
Olive Oil – For marinating shrimp. I prefer extra virgin olive oil, but any neutral oil works.
Garlic – Mince it fresh, or use a jarred minced garlic for convenience.
Lime Juice – Adds more flavor to the shrimp marinade. You could also use lemon juice. A fresh squeezed lime or bottled lime juice will work.
Avocado – Use a medium, ripe avocado.
Red Onion – The flavor of red onion shines in this recipe for shrimp salad with avocado, but any onion will work.
Bell Pepper – Use any color you like. I used red for a pop of color.

Avocado And Shrimp Salad Dressing:

Cilantro – Fresh cilantro is best here. I don’t recommend using dried, but if you must, you’ll need 1 teaspoon dried to replace each tablespoon fresh.
Lime Juice – You can also use lemon juice, but the lime flavor pairs so well with cilantro!
Olive Oil – Use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor, but regular olive oil or avocado oil both also work fine.
Salt & Pepper – For easy seasoning.

VARIATION: Add tomatoes!

You can dice larger tomatoes (remove the seeds so that the salad doesn’t get watery) or use halved cherry tomatoes.

How To Make Shrimp Avocado Salad

This section shows how to make shrimp salad with avocado, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Marinate. Add shrimp, Cajun seasoning, oil, garlic, and lime juice to a bowl. Toss to combine and set aside.

TIP: Avoid marinating shrimp for longer than 15 minutes.

Marinating for too long in the lime juice will cause the acid to cook the shrimp and it’ll turn into ceviche. You can do this, though, if you want to skip the skillet step.

Make dressing. Add dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.

Cook. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook on both sides, until pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet and cool to room temperature.
Plate. Combine avocado, bell pepper, and onion in a serving bowl. Top with shrimp and dressing, then toss to coat.

Shrimp and avocado salad ingredients in a bowl before tossing in dressing.

Storage Instructions

Store: This salad is best fresh, but if you have leftovers, transfer them to a covered container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. The avocado may brown, but will still be safe to eat.
Meal prep: Cook shrimp, make dressing, and cut all veggies except avocado. Store separately, then assemble with avocado just before serving.

Close up of shrimp and avocado salad on a plate.

Ways To Serve Avocado Shrimp Salad

This recipe for shrimp avocado salad tastes delicious all on its own, but you can also serve it in other ways:

Greens – Serve over romaine lettuce or other leafy greens. You can also make lettuce wraps!
Tacos – Use as a filling for tacos. (Keep ’em healthy with jicama tortillas!)
Bowls – Skip the cooling step for the shrimp and serve warm over rice or cilantro lime cauliflower rice.
Dip – Scoop the salad with your favorite chips, crackers, or even veggies. (I like almond flour crackers or low carb tortilla chips!)

More Healthy Summer Salad Recipes

For easy, meaty salads that take minimal prep time, look no further than these delicious dishes:

Recommended Tools

Large Skillet – Nonstick and easy to clean!
Salad Bowl – A hefty size for serving salads of all kinds.
Glass Bowls – With so many sizes, I use them for everything from prep to serving.

Shrimp Avocado Salad Recipe

Pin It For Later!

Leave a Review or Question Cancel reply

6 Comments

Letha
0 January 2, 2023Reply

Delicious!! I added crumbled goat cheese, chopped romaine, cucumber and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. That Cajun marinade is FANTASTIC!!! I didn’t have any so I made my own batch from the different spices the internet called to make it Cajun. Definitely will make it again.
Letha
0 January 2, 2023Reply

Delicious!!! I only had Green bell pepper. I added some goat cheese and balsamic dressing.
Erin
0 August 2, 2022Reply

Love this recipe for its ease and flavor. Hubby loves it too! The shrimp turned out tender and delicious.
Kara
0 August 2, 2022Reply

So fresh and flavorful! I cut it in half because I was making it for myself, but next time I need to make more, my daughter wanted to steal all my shrimp! 🙂
Amy K
0 August 2, 2022Reply

I’ve made this twice in the last week- it’s THAT good!! Thank you so much!
Addison
0 July 26, 2022Reply

This salad was easy and flavorful. Loved it.