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A white platter filled with succulent grilled shrimp with avocado, garnished with fresh cilantro and bright lime wedges.
Reda

Zesty Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Skewers

A fresh, vibrant dish featuring perfectly grilled shrimp marinated in a zesty lime-cilantro sauce, served alongside creamy avocado and sweet cherry tomatoes. Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp Marinade:
  • 1.5 lbs Shrimp large, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 3 tbsp Lime Juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro fresh, chopped
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
For the Avocado Salad:
  • 2 large Avocados ripe, diced
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion finely diced
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tbsp Cilantro fresh, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • pinch Black Pepper
Optional Garnish:
  • Fresh Cilantro for garnish
  • Lime Wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Grill (gas or charcoal)
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Grill Skewers
  • Tongs
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Prepare the Shrimp Marinade
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, minced garlic, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, chili powder, cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Whisk the ingredients well to combine.
  2. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade. Toss gently to ensure all shrimp are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes. Avoid marinating longer than 30 minutes, as the lime juice can begin to chemically 'cook' the shrimp.
  3. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling to prevent them from burning. Thread the marinated shrimp onto the skewers, typically 3-4 shrimp per skewer, ensuring they are not packed too tightly.
Prepare the Avocado Salad
  1. While the shrimp marinates, prepare the avocado salad. In a medium bowl, gently combine the diced ripe avocados, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper.
Grill the Shrimp
  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (approximately 400-450°F or 200-230°C). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent the shrimp from sticking.
  2. Place the shrimp skewers on the hot grill. Grill for 2-4 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque and are cooked through. Be careful not to overcook, as shrimp cook very quickly and can become rubbery.
Serve
  1. Carefully remove the grilled shrimp from the skewers. Serve immediately alongside the fresh avocado salad. Garnish with extra fresh cilantro and lime wedges, if desired.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the shrimp marinade. This recipe is also fantastic served over a bed of fluffy quinoa or light mixed greens for a more substantial meal. Ensure avocados are ripe but firm enough to dice without becoming mushy.