Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal! This Shrimp and Avocado Bowl is the perfect answer to the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma. It’s incredibly fast, packed with flavor, and loaded with healthy ingredients. In just about 20 minutes, you can have a vibrant, satisfying meal on the table that tastes like it came from a trendy cafe.
We’ve all been there: craving something delicious but short on time and energy. This recipe is your secret weapon. It balances zesty, spicy, and creamy flavors in a single bowl of goodness. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting, this dish is practically foolproof.
Look at that vibrant mix of colors and textures! It's almost too pretty to eat.
Why You’ll Love This Shrimp and Avocado Bowl
Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Healthy and Nourishing: Packed with lean protein from the shrimp, healthy fats from the avocado, and tons of fresh veggies, it’s a meal you can feel great about eating.
Fully Customizable: Think of this recipe as a template. You can easily swap the grain, add your favorite veggies, or adjust the spice level to make it your own.
Perfect for Meal Prep: The components of this bowl can be prepared ahead of time, making lunchtime assembly a breeze throughout the week. Check out our grilled shrimp bowl for another great prep-friendly idea!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Shrimp and Avocado Bowl recipe lies in its simple, fresh ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Cilantro Lime Shrimp:
Shrimp: One pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh or frozen works perfectly here.
Olive Oil: Just a tablespoon to help the shrimp cook without sticking.
Seasoning: A mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper creates the perfect smoky and savory flavor.
Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bright, zesty finish.
For the Bowl:
Quinoa: The base of our bowl. It’s fluffy, and packed with protein. Cooked rice or even cauliflower rice works well too.
Avocado: A ripe avocado, diced, adds that essential creamy texture.
Corn: We’re using roasted corn for a sweet and smoky flavor. Canned or frozen works in a pinch.
Black Beans: A great source of fiber and plant-based protein.
Red Onion: Finely diced for a sharp, crisp bite.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro ties all the flavors together.
Tossing the shrimp in a savory blend of spices is the first step to incredible flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are fully thawed. Pat them dry with a paper towel. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated.
Cook the Shrimp: Heat a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. In the last 30 seconds, squeeze the fresh lime juice over the shrimp and toss to combine. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assemble the Bowl: Start by dividing the cooked quinoa among your serving bowls. Arrange the cooked shrimp, diced avocado, roasted corn, black beans, and red onion over the quinoa.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top. For an extra kick, add a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of your favorite spicy sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Shrimp and Avocado Bowl!
If you enjoy this, you might also love the simplicity of our Honey Garlic Salmon Bites, which offer another quick and flavorful seafood option.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Bowl
A few simple tips can take your Shrimp and Avocado Bowl from great to absolutely unforgettable.
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. The key to tender, juicy shrimp is to watch them closely. As soon as they turn pink and curl into a “C” shape, they’re done.
Use Ripe Avocados: A perfectly ripe avocado is creamy and flavorful. To check for ripeness, gently press the skin. It should yield slightly but not feel mushy.
Rinse Canned Beans: If you’re using canned black beans, be sure to rinse them thoroughly. This removes excess sodium and improves their flavor and texture.
Toast Your Quinoa: For an extra layer of nutty flavor, toast your dry quinoa in the saucepan for a few minutes before adding water.
This simple Shrimp and Avocado Bowl recipe has become a staple in our home. It’s the kind of meal that’s both healthy and genuinely exciting to eat!
Customizations and Variations
One of the best things about this healthy shrimp bowl recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Change the Base: Not a fan of quinoa? Try brown rice, wild rice, farro, or even leafy greens for a lighter, salad-style bowl. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice is fantastic.
Switch Up the Protein: This bowl is also delicious with grilled chicken, steak, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian version. Check out our Grilled Steak Bowl for inspiration!
Try a Different Sauce: A creamy chipotle sauce, a cilantro-lime vinaigrette, or a simple drizzle of sriracha aioli would all be delicious.
How to Store and Meal Prep
This Shrimp and Avocado Bowl is a fantastic option for meal prep. To store, keep the components in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The quinoa, beans, corn, and shrimp will last for up to 4 days. It’s best to dice the avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the cold ingredients and gently reheat the shrimp if desired.
A simple cilantro-lime dressing or vinaigrette is a perfect match. You can also use a creamy chipotle sauce, a drizzle of sriracha aioli, or even just a fresh squeeze of lime juice to complement the flavors.
Yes, it is a very healthy meal. It’s well-balanced with lean protein from shrimp, healthy fats from avocado, fiber from black beans and quinoa, and plenty of vitamins from the fresh vegetables.
Absolutely. You can prepare and store the cooked shrimp, quinoa, corn, and beans in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. To keep the avocado fresh, it’s best to slice it right before serving.
Yes, this bowl is very versatile. You can easily substitute quinoa with brown rice, white rice, farro, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Leafy greens also work well for a salad-style bowl.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
We hope you love this easy Shrimp and Avocado Bowl! It’s a true testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can create an incredibly satisfying meal. If you made this recipe, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below. For more culinary inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
This healthy and delicious Shrimp and Avocado Bowl is ready in under 30 minutes!
Shrimp and Avocado Bowl Recipe
FL Recipes
Shrimp and Avocado Bowl (Quick & Healthy Recipe)
This Shrimp and Avocado Bowl is a quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. It's packed with protein, fresh veggies, and a zesty cilantro lime dressing for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the shrimp and toss to combine.
Divide the cooked quinoa among serving bowls. Arrange the cooked shrimp, diced avocado, roasted corn, black beans, and red onion over the quinoa.
Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalProtein: 38gFat: 22gFiber: 15g
Notes
Tip 1: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the shrimp to ensure they get a nice sear. Tip 2: Add the avocado just before serving to keep it fresh and green. Tip 3: For extra flavor, toast the quinoa in the pot for a minute before adding the cooking liquid.
Keyword healthy shrimp bowl,Shrimp and Avocado Bowl,shrimp bowl recipe
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
