Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Avocado Crunch (Printable)
Zesty shrimp with caramelized pineapple, crisp veggies and lime-avocado crunch - a bright, gluten-free summer main.
# List of ingredients:
→ Shrimp
01 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Pineapple
09 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
10 - 1 teaspoon honey
→ Vegetables
11 - 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
12 - 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
13 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
14 - 1/4 cup scallions, sliced
→ Lime Avocado Crunch
15 - 1 large ripe avocado, diced
16 - 1 lime, juiced and zested
17 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds, roughly chopped
19 - Salt, to taste
20 - Black pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Toss until shrimp are evenly coated with the spices.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add diced pineapple. Drizzle with honey if desired. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pineapple is lightly caramelized. Remove from heat.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine red cabbage, romaine lettuce, red bell pepper, and scallions. Toss gently to mix.
05 - In a separate bowl, combine diced avocado, lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, and roasted pumpkin seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold ingredients until well incorporated.
06 - Divide the salad mixture evenly among four plates. Top each salad with sautéed shrimp and caramelized pineapple. Spoon the lime avocado crunch over the top of each serving.
07 - Serve immediately. Garnish with additional cilantro and a lime wedge, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This dish brings a bright punch of flavor—spicy, sweet, and tangy—all in one bowl.
- It’s absurdly quick to pull together, but people always assume you spent way longer than 30 minutes.
02 -
- Once I overcrowded the skillet and ended up with pale, watery shrimp—always give them space to sear.
- Tossing the avocado too roughly made it mushy, so now I mix it last and handle it gently.
03 -
- Let the skillet get seriously hot before shrimp hit the pan, or else you lose out on those delicious brown spots.
- Adding both lime zest and juice brought out way more flavor than just squeezing the juice—the zest is the secret weapon.