Cottage Cheese Cilantro Lime Shrimp Cups (Printable)
Protein-packed shrimp salad with cottage cheese, lime, and cilantro served in crisp lettuce cups for a light, flavorful bite.
# List of ingredients:
→ Shrimp
01 - 9 oz medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
→ Salad Base
06 - 7 oz cottage cheese
07 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
09 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
10 - Zest and juice of 1 lime
11 - 1/2 avocado, diced
12 - 1 small cucumber, diced
13 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
14 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Assembly
15 - 8 large butter lettuce leaves (or little gem lettuce)
16 - Extra cilantro leaves, for garnish
17 - Lime wedges, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Toss shrimp with sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until evenly coated. Sauté for 2–3 minutes per side until opaque and fully cooked. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, chopped cilantro, diced red onion, minced jalapeño, lime zest and juice, diced avocado, diced cucumber, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Fold gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
03 - Fold the chopped shrimp into the cottage cheese mixture, distributing evenly without overmixing to maintain texture.
04 - Arrange butter lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon the shrimp salad mixture evenly among the cups, dividing generously.
05 - Top each cup with fresh cilantro leaves and serve immediately with lime wedges alongside.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cottage cheese swaps in for mayo and creates this incredibly creamy, tangy base that nobody expects but everyone loves.
- They come together in under thirty minutes, which makes them perfect for hot evenings when turning on the stove feels like a chore.
02 -
- Let the shrimp cool completely before folding them in or the cottage cheese will warm and separate into something unappetizing.
- Assemble the cups right before serving because the lettuce wilts fast once the filling touches it, and nobody likes a soggy cup.
03 -
- Pat the shrimp bone dry with paper towels before seasoning or they will steam instead of developing that golden sear.
- A microplane makes quick work of the lime zest and ensures you get the fragrant oils without any bitter pith underneath.