Welcome to your new favorite recipe: the Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl! If you’re searching for a meal that’s incredibly delicious, packed with nutrients, and surprisingly easy to make, you’ve found it. This vibrant bowl is loaded with perfectly seasoned shrimp, creamy avocado, hearty quinoa, and a colorful mix of fresh vegetables. It’s the ideal solution for a quick weeknight dinner, a satisfying lunch, or a stellar meal prep option to keep you energized all week long. Get ready to create a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Why This Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl is a Game-Changer
You’re going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why. First, it’s incredibly versatile. You can easily customize the ingredients based on what you have on hand. Second, it’s a nutritional powerhouse, balancing lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs to keep you full and focused. Finally, it’s fast! You can have this entire meal ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy schedules. It’s a healthy choice that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a template for healthy eating. For more quick and healthy meal ideas, you might also love these Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowls, which follow a similar, easy-to-assemble format.
Bringing it all together with a zesty cilantro-lime dressing.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients that come together for a truly spectacular meal. The star is the juicy shrimp, perfectly complemented by creamy avocado and a zesty cilantro-lime dressing.
For the Shrimp and Bowl:
Shrimp: 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh or frozen both work well.
Quinoa: 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed. You can also use brown rice or farro.
Avocado: 2 large, ripe avocados, pitted and sliced.
Black Beans: 1 (15-ounce) can, rinsed and drained.
Corn: 1 cup, fresh or frozen (thawed).
Cherry Tomatoes: 1 cup, halved.
Red Onion: ½ cup, finely chopped.
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon for cooking the shrimp.
Seasoning: 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
For the Cilantro-Lime Dressing:
Olive Oil: ½ cup extra virgin.
Lime Juice: ¼ cup fresh-squeezed.
Cilantro: ½ cup fresh, chopped.
Honey or Maple Syrup: 1 teaspoon (optional, for balance).
Garlic: 1 clove, minced.
Salt and Pepper: To taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Assemble Your Power Bowl
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl. We’ll start by preparing the base and dressing, then cook the shrimp, and finally assemble everything into a beautiful, delicious bowl.
Step 1: Cook the Quinoa
Start by cooking the quinoa according to package directions. Typically, you’ll combine 1 cup of rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water or broth in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
While the quinoa cooks, prepare the cilantro-lime dressing. In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, and optional honey. Whisk or shake vigorously until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Fresh, vibrant ingredients are the key to this amazing power bowl.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them!
Step 4: Assemble Your Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl
Now for the fun part! Divide the cooked quinoa among four bowls. Top with the seasoned shrimp, sliced avocado, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle generously with the cilantro-lime dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy every bite!
Expert Tips for the Best Results
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. Watch them closely and remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and curl into a ‘C’ shape.
Rinse Your Quinoa: Rinsing quinoa removes its natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter.
Avocado Freshness: For the best results, slice your avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning. A little squeeze of lime juice can also help.
Creative Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about this shrimp avocado bowl is how adaptable it is. Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
Change the Protein: Not a fan of shrimp? This bowl is fantastic with grilled chicken, salmon, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option. For another great chicken dish, check out these Honey BBQ Chicken bites.
Switch Up the Grain: Try brown rice, farro, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
Add More Veggies: Feel free to add chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, or leafy greens like spinach or kale.
Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the shrimp seasoning or a finely chopped jalapeño to the dressing for an extra kick.
Meal Prep and Storage Instructions
This Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl is perfect for meal prep. To store, assemble the bowls in airtight containers with the quinoa, beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, and cooked shrimp. Store the dressing separately in a small container. When you’re ready to eat, simply add the sliced avocado and drizzle with the dressing. The bowls will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you’re looking for more easy make-ahead meals, these Chicken Teriyaki Meal Prep bowls are a fantastic choice!
Absolutely! This bowl is perfect for meal prep. Assemble the quinoa, shrimp, and vegetables in airtight containers. Store the dressing separately and add the avocado just before serving to keep it fresh. It will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
This recipe is very flexible. You can easily substitute quinoa with brown rice, farro, couscous, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb, keto-friendly option.
Yes, it is incredibly healthy. It provides a great balance of lean protein from the shrimp, healthy fats from the avocado and olive oil, and complex carbohydrates and fiber from the quinoa and vegetables.
To prevent browning, slice the avocado just before you plan to eat the bowl. You can also toss the avocado slices in a little bit of lime or lemon juice, as the citric acid helps slow down the oxidation process.
Yes, you can easily make a vegetarian version. Simply substitute the shrimp with a plant-based protein like chickpeas, black beans, or seasoned tofu for an equally delicious and satisfying meal.
Your New Go-To Healthy Recipe
This Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl is more than just a recipe; it’s a delicious way to nourish your body and delight your taste buds. With its fresh ingredients and bold flavors, it’s sure to become a staple in your meal rotation. We’d love to see your creations! Share a photo and tag us on Pinterest. Your feedback helps our community grow, so please leave a comment below!
Fuel your day with this incredible Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl!
Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl
FL Recipes
Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl: The Ultimate Healthy Meal
This Shrimp and Avocado Power Bowl is a vibrant, healthy meal packed with seasoned shrimp, creamy avocado, quinoa, and fresh veggies. It's a quick, easy, and delicious recipe perfect for a nutritious lunch or weeknight dinner in under 30 minutes.
Combine 1 cup of rinsed quinoa with 2 cups of water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, and optional honey. Whisk or shake until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
Pat the shrimp dry. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
Divide the cooked quinoa among four bowls. Top with the seasoned shrimp, sliced avocado, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle with the cilantro-lime dressing and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 580kcalProtein: 30gFat: 35gFiber: 15g
Notes
Don't Overcook the Shrimp: Remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and curl into a 'C' shape. Rinse Your Quinoa: Rinsing quinoa removes its natural bitter coating. Avocado Freshness: Slice avocado just before serving and add a squeeze of lime juice to prevent browning.
Keyword healthy shrimp bowl,quinoa bowl,shrimp and avocado power bowl
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 »
