Description
Zesty Mediterranean shrimp salad delivers fresh Mediterranean flavors with crisp vegetables and succulent seafood. Herbs and lemon vinaigrette elevate this light, refreshing dish you’ll crave all summer long.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cups (960 ml) mixed greens
- 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) dressing (olive oil-based or citrus vinaigrette)
Instructions
- Defrost frozen shrimp under cold running water for 10-15 minutes, then rinse and pat dry. For fresh shrimp, ensure they are deveined.
- Boil salted water at high heat, carefully add shrimp and cook until pink (3-5 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Immediately drain cooked shrimp into ice water to stop cooking and maintain tender texture.
- Thoroughly wash all vegetables under cool running water.
- Dice cucumbers into half-inch cubes after optional peeling. Halve cherry tomatoes and set aside.
- Wash mixed greens gently, using salad spinner or kitchen towel to dry. Tear larger leaves into smaller, uniform pieces.
- Slice avocado lengthwise, remove pit, and cut into thin wedges.
- Select a large mixing bowl or platter for assembly.
- Create base layer with four cups of mixed greens.
- Layer chopped cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and chilled shrimp evenly across the greens.
- Arrange avocado slices on top for visual appeal.
- Prepare vinaigrette by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and toss lightly to ensure even distribution.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture in your salad.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp by watching carefully and removing from heat as soon as they turn pink to prevent rubbery texture.
- Quickly cool shrimp in ice water after boiling to stop the cooking process and maintain their tender, juicy consistency.
- Feel free to customize the salad with additional vegetables or swap ingredients based on seasonal availability or personal preferences.
- Consider using pre-cooked shrimp to save time, but be sure to check for freshness and quality before adding to the salad.
- Experiment with different dressing options like a light citrus vinaigrette or a creamy avocado dressing to add extra flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg