Thanks for stopping by, Seafoodies!
Every time the weather gets warmer, our calendars suddenly fill up with backyard barbecues, potlucks and outdoor gatherings where everyone’s bringing their best dishes to share. And while we love attending these get-togethers, we also love hosting them (bring on the party!!)—which means we’ve already spent a lot of time this year experimenting with the ultimate side dish that encapsulates all our favorite flavors of summer in one bowl.
We’ve tested countless variations, adjusted the seasoning mix more times than we can count (it was a hard job—eating all that delicious shrimp—but someone had to do it!)—and finally landed on something so good we couldn’t possibly keep it to ourselves!
So, put your hands together for our shrimp, corn and avocado salad. We think this will be your smash hit of the season! This zesty salad brings together everything that makes summer eating so good: sweet corn with a little char from the skillet, creamy avocado, juicy shrimp, fresh cilantro and a kick of heat from jalapeño and cayenne. It’s bright, it’s colorful and it amplifies the best of home cooking—taking the time to slow down, savor the moment and make something from scratch for the people you love.
We’ve found that the best way to cook this dish is with the windows cracked slightly open, the fan on and some fun music playing in the background while you work. The shrimp get seared quickly in a hot skillet until they’re pink and perfectly cooked, then set aside to cool. Corn kernels hit the same pan and sizzle until they’re slightly charred, which adds a smoky-sweet flavor that makes all the difference. Everything gets tossed together with diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion and jalapeño, then dressed with a simple lime-cilantro vinaigrette spiked with just the right amount of cumin and cayenne.
The flavors are bold without being overbearing, and the textures keep things interesting—tender shrimp, crisp corn, creamy avocado and juicy tomatoes, all keeping the tasty vibes going. You can serve it as a side dish alongside grilled meats, scoop it onto tortilla chips for an elevated appetizer or even pile it into lettuce cups for a lighter option. A little lime juice keeps everything tasting fresh and bright, no matter how you choose to enjoy!
We’re not saying we can see into the future, but here is our prediction! You’ll make this recipe once, realize how easy and delicious it is—and suddenly find yourself repeating it for every gathering all summer long (and maybe for a few at-home lunches here or there, just because you can!).
Our only word of warning…people will ask for the recipe. We recommend sharing it freely, because summer’s too short to keep the good stuff to yourself!
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Shrimp, Corn and Avocado Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 appetizer servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 12 ounces raw large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off, as preferred)
- 1½ cups fresh corn kernels (kernels cut off from cobs)
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon, freshly ground black pepper
- Tortilla chips, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in single layer, sear2 to 3 minutes (turning once) until cooked through, pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to plate and set aside to cool.
- Return skillet to medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring frequently until slightly charred. Set aside to cool.
- Add avocado, jalapeno pepper, tomatoes and onion to a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine well.
- In a small bowl, mix remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, cilantro, lime juice, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt and pepper.
- Add shrimp and corn to salad ingredients. Toss with olive oil and lime juice dressing. Serve immediately.
Recommended Equipment: Skillet, cutting board, knife, large bowl, small bowl, whisk or fork to mix, spatula
- Category: Shrimp
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