Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Lime Avocado (Printable)
Sautéed spicy shrimp and caramelized pineapple on mixed greens, finished with a zesty lime-avocado crunch.
# List of ingredients:
→ Shrimp & Marinade
01 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
07 - 1 teaspoon honey
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - Juice of 1/2 lime
→ Pineapple
11 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
→ Lime Avocado Crunch
12 - 1 large ripe avocado, diced
13 - Zest and juice of 1 lime
14 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 1/2 jalapeño, finely chopped
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Salad Base
18 - 4 cups mixed greens
19 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
20 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
21 - 1/3 cup toasted pepitas
# Steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, honey, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Mix thoroughly and marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - In a separate bowl, gently combine avocado, lime zest and juice, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño if using, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the marinated shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes. Add diced pineapple and cook for an additional 3 minutes, allowing pineapple to caramelize and shrimp to cook through. Remove from heat.
04 - In a large serving bowl, toss mixed greens with shredded red cabbage, cucumber, and toasted pepitas until evenly distributed.
05 - Divide salad among serving plates. Top with spicy pineapple shrimp and spoon the lime avocado crunch over each portion.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet heat against cool creamy avocado creates that perfect restaurant-style balance without any fuss
- Everything comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all day planning it
02 -
- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the shrimp or they'll steam instead of sear—work in batches if necessary
- The avocado crunch needs to be made right before serving or the lime will start to cook the avocado and turn it brown
03 -
- Pat the shrimp very dry before marinating so the spices cling instead of sliding off
- Let the cooked shrimp rest for 2 minutes off the heat before serving—they finish cooking and become more tender