Shrimp & Avocado Citrus Salad Recipe
Introduction
This Shrimp & Avocado Citrus Salad is a refreshing combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, perfect for a light lunch or dinner. With tender shrimp, creamy avocado, and vibrant citrus fruits, it’s a colorful dish that’s as healthy as it is delicious.

Ingredients
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail on
- 8 cups arugula (180 grams)
- 1 large avocado (150 grams)
- 1 medium grapefruit, peeled and segmented (200 grams)
- 1 cup mango, chopped (150 grams)
- 1/2 medium shallot, peeled and sliced (20 grams)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Gourmet Honey Roasted Sliced Almonds (28 grams)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (16 grams)
- 1 tbsp butter (0.5 oz)
- 1 tsp Flavor God Garlic Lover’s Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (1 oz)
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar (1 oz)
- 2 tbsp orange juice (1 oz)
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger (0.5 oz)
- 1 tbsp honey (0.5 oz)
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1/8 tsp xanthan gum (optional, to thicken the dressing)
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse the shrimp and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season evenly with Flavor God Garlic Lover’s Seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Melt half of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the minced garlic and then place the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp are partially opaque and the bottom is pink with a slight crust. Flip and cook until shrimp are fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Repeat the cooking process with the remaining shrimp, butter, and garlic.
- Step 4: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, rice wine vinegar, orange juice, fresh grated ginger, honey, orange zest, and xanthan gum if using. Set the dressing aside.
- Step 5: On a large platter or individual plates, arrange the arugula as the base. Layer with grapefruit segments, sliced avocado, shallots, cooked shrimp, and sliced almonds.
- Step 6: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving for the freshest taste.
Tips & Variations
- Swap mango for pineapple or papaya for a different tropical twist.
- Use lemon or lime juice instead of orange juice to brighten the dressing if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes with the seasoning on the shrimp.
- Toast the almonds lightly in a dry skillet to enhance their crunch and flavor.
Storage
Store any leftover shrimp and salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing refrigerated as well. When ready to serve, gently toss the salad with dressing and enjoy cold. Reheating cooked shrimp is possible but best done briefly in a skillet to avoid toughness.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this salad?
Yes, frozen shrimp can be used. Make sure to fully thaw, drain, and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture in the dish.
What can I substitute for xanthan gum in the dressing?
If you don’t have xanthan gum, you can omit it. The dressing will be slightly thinner but still flavorful. Alternatively, a small amount of mustard or honey can help emulsify the dressing.
PrintShrimp & Avocado Citrus Salad Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Shrimp & Avocado Citrus Salad that combines succulent pan-seared shrimp with creamy avocado, tangy grapefruit, sweet mango, and a zesty citrus-ginger dressing. This salad features a perfect balance of textures and flavors, enhanced by toasted almonds and a flavorful homemade dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail on
- 8 cups arugula (180 grams)
- 1 large avocado (150 grams), sliced
- 1 medium grapefruit, peeled and segmented (200 grams)
- 1 cup mango, chopped (150 grams)
- 1/2 medium shallot, peeled and sliced (20 grams)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Gourmet Honey Roasted Sliced Almonds (28 grams)
Shrimp Cooking
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (16 grams)
- 1 tbsp butter (0.5 oz), divided
- 1 tsp Flavor God Garlic Lover’s Seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil (1 oz)
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar (1 oz)
- 2 tbsp orange juice (1 oz)
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger (0.5 oz)
- 1 tbsp honey (0.5 oz)
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1/8 tsp xanthan gum (optional, to thicken the dressing)
Instructions
- Prepare Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp thoroughly and pat dry using paper towels. Season the shrimp evenly with Flavor God Garlic Lover’s Seasoning, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Cook Shrimp – First Batch: Melt half of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the minced garlic and allow it to fragrant for about 30 seconds. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the bottom side turns pink and begins to brown, forming a crust. Flip the shrimp and cook the other side until fully opaque and cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp – Second Batch: Repeat the cooking process with the remaining butter, garlic, and shrimp to ensure all shrimp are cooked uniformly and infused with flavor.
- Make Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, rice wine vinegar, orange juice, freshly grated ginger, honey, orange zest, and optionally xanthan gum until the dressing is smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Assemble Salad: On a large serving plate or bowl, spread the arugula as the base layer. Artfully arrange grapefruit segments, sliced avocado, shallots, cooked shrimp, and toasted honey roasted almonds on top of the greens.
- Serve: Drizzle the prepared citrus-ginger dressing over the salad just before serving to keep the greens fresh and crisp. Toss gently if desired and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Using tail-on shrimp enhances flavor and presentation.
- Peeling and segmenting the grapefruit carefully removes bitterness from pith.
- Xanthan gum is optional for thickening the dressing to better coat the salad.
- You can substitute mango with pineapple for a different tropical profile.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Serve immediately after dressing to prevent arugula from wilting.
Keywords: shrimp salad, avocado salad, citrus salad, healthy salad, arugula salad, seafood salad, citrus dressing

