Description
Zesty Mediterranean-inspired Shrimp, Avocado, and Spinach Salad brings coastal freshness to your plate. Cool ingredients mingle with bold flavors, creating a light yet satisfying meal perfect for summer dining.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled & deveined
Salad Components:
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup toasted almonds or walnuts
Seasoning and Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the seafood by seasoning shrimp with a blend of aromatic spices, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for perfectly cooking the seasoned shrimp.
- Sear the shrimp for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side, watching for a vibrant pink color and opaque texture that indicates complete cooking.
- While the shrimp cool, craft a zesty dressing by whisking together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Layer fresh spinach leaves as the salad foundation, creating a verdant base for the remaining ingredients.
- Strategically arrange sliced cherry tomatoes, thinly cut red onion, and creamy avocado chunks across the spinach.
- Position the perfectly cooked shrimp atop the vegetable medley, creating an appetizing visual appeal.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted almonds over the salad for added texture and flavor complexity.
- Gently drizzle the prepared lemon-garlic dressing, carefully tossing to ensure each ingredient is lightly coated.
- Serve immediately to preserve the crisp textures and vibrant flavors of this refreshing seafood salad.
Notes
- Quickly pat shrimp dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden exterior when cooking.
- Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture in the salad.
- Swap feta with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version that maintains a tangy, salty profile.
- Marinate shrimp for 15 minutes before cooking to enhance depth of flavor and tenderness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg