Shrimp Avocado Lime Salad Cups (Printable)
Protein-packed shrimp and avocado lettuce cups with cottage cheese and lime, ready in 20 minutes.
# List of ingredients:
→ Shrimp
01 - 9 oz medium cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tsp olive oil
03 - Pinch of salt and black pepper
→ Salad Base
04 - 7 oz cottage cheese
05 - 1 large ripe avocado, diced
06 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1–2 limes)
07 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
08 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
09 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
10 - 1 small cucumber, diced
→ To Serve
11 - 8 large butter lettuce leaves or Romaine hearts
12 - Lime wedges, for garnish
# Steps:
01 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Toss the shrimp with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then sauté for 2–3 minutes until just warmed through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, diced avocado, lime juice, chopped cilantro, sliced scallions, diced red bell pepper, and diced cucumber. Gently fold everything together until evenly mixed.
03 - Add the slightly cooled shrimp to the salad base and fold gently to incorporate without breaking up the avocado pieces.
04 - Spoon the shrimp salad mixture evenly among the butter lettuce leaves, dividing it into 8 cups.
05 - Finish with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately while the lettuce is still crisp.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cottage cheese adds unexpected creaminess without needing mayonnaise, and the protein keeps you full for hours.
- Everything comes together in under twenty minutes, which makes it perfect for those evenings when cooking feels like a chore but takeout is not appealing.
02 -
- Letting the shrimp cool before folding prevents the cottage cheese from turning grainy and the avocado from going mushy.
- Assemble the cups right before serving because the lettuce wilts fast once the filling sits on it for more than ten minutes.
03 -
- Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel before sautéing so the oil can actually sear the surface rather than steaming them in their own moisture.
- Use a fork to lightly mash about a quarter of the avocado before mixing, which creates a natural dressing that coats the cottage cheese without any extra effort.