How to Make Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocado
August 22, 2024
Let’s make a shrimp salad today. We are going to stuff it in half an avocado for a very satisfying and low carb meal. This is truly finger licking good. This shrimp salad stuffed avocado is loaded in flavor, super easy to make and very healthy. It is kind of a shrimp ceviche inside of an avocado on a bed of greens. This is a great light meal.
When boiling shrimp, it’s important to follow a few key recommendations to ensure they turn out perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful:
1. Choose the Right Shrimp
Fresh or Frozen: Fresh shrimp are ideal, but frozen shrimp can work well too. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them properly before boiling.
Size: Medium to large shrimp (16-20 per pound) are ideal for boiling. Adjust cooking time based on size.
2. Prepare the Shrimp
Peeling and Deveining: Decide whether to peel and devein the shrimp before boiling. Leaving the shells on can add more flavor, but peeling makes them easier to eat.
Rinse: Rinse the shrimp under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
3. Season the Water
Salt: Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water—about 2 tablespoons per quart of water.
Flavorings: Enhance the flavor by adding aromatics like bay leaves, lemon slices, garlic, peppercorns, or Old Bay seasoning to the water. You can also add a splash of white wine or vinegar for extra depth.
4. Boiling Process
Bring to a Boil: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil before adding the shrimp.
Cook Quickly: Shrimp cook very quickly. Add the shrimp to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque. Overcooking will result in tough, rubbery shrimp.
Ice Bath: To prevent overcooking, immediately transfer the shrimp to an ice bath (a bowl of ice water) once they are cooked. This stops the cooking process and helps maintain their texture.
5. Drain and Serve
Drain: After the shrimp have cooled in the ice bath, drain them well.
Serve: Serve the shrimp warm or cold, depending on your recipe. They can be enjoyed on their own, with cocktail sauce, in salads, or as part of a larger dish.
6. Additional Tips
Don’t Overcrowd: Avoid overcrowding the pot, which can lead to uneven cooking. Cook shrimp in batches if necessary.
Test for Doneness: Shrimp are done when they are firm, pink, and curled into a loose “C” shape. If they curl into a tight “O,” they may be overcooked.
By following these recommendations, you’ll achieve perfectly boiled shrimp every time.
Feel free to add more lime juice to this recipe if you would like and be careful with the salt as shrimp has its own sodium. Don’t over do it.
Shrimp Salad Stuffed Avocados
Ingredients:
For the Shrimp:
1/2 lime
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
1/2 pound deveined and peeled shrimp
For the Salad:
2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
1 lime (you can use more if desired)
2 tablespoons chopped cucumber
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil
Salt to taste
For the Avocado:
1 medium avocado (halved and peeled)
Lime juice and salt for drizzling
Instructions:
Cook the Shrimp:
Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the lime, bay leaf, and peppercorns.
Add the shrimp and cook until it is no longer opaque and starts to curl, about 5 minutes.
Remove the shrimp and place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
Tear off the tails and chop the shrimp into small pieces.
Prepare the Salad:
Place the diced red onions in a bowl and cover with lime juice. Let it sit for a few minutes to mellow the flavor.
Add the chopped cucumber, cilantro, tomato, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix well and season with salt to taste.
Prepare the Avocado:
Halve and peel the avocado, then place it on a bed of greens.
Drizzle with lime juice and sprinkle with salt.
Fill the avocado cavity with the shrimp salad, ensuring to drizzle some of the leftover lime juice from the bowl.
Serve:
Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh and delicious dish!
Nutritional Information (Per Half Avocado):
Calories: 259.58 kcal
Total Fat: 15 g
Total Carbohydrates: 10.27 g
Protein: 24.71 g
This dish is a healthy and flavorful option, perfect for a light meal or appetizer.