Summer Citrus Quinoa Salad with Grilled Shrimp and Avocado

A refreshing summer salad featuring quinoa, juicy grilled shrimp, creamy avocado, and a medley of citrus fruits, all tossed in a zesty lime dressing. Perfect for a light, nutritious, and colorful meal!

This image was created with the assistance of DALL·E

Welcome to a delightful culinary journey that brings together the vibrant flavors of summer in one refreshing and unconventional dish. Our Summer Citrus Quinoa Salad with Grilled Shrimp and Avocado is the perfect blend of tangy, savory, and creamy, designed to tantalize your taste buds and add a burst of color to your summer dining table.

This dish not only celebrates the freshness of seasonal produce but also offers a healthy and satisfying meal option, ideal for those warm, sunny days.

Here's how you can bring this beautiful dish to life in your own kitchen:

Ingredients

For the Salad:

1 cup quinoa
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 ripe avocados, diced
1 orange, peeled and segmented
1 grapefruit, peeled and segmented
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Mixed greens (optional)

For the Dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of 2 limes
1 tablespoon honey
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium pot, combine the quinoa with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let it cool.
Grill the Shrimp: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Grill for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are pink and opaque. Set aside.
Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, grilled shrimp, avocado, orange segments, grapefruit segments, red onion, and cilantro. If using mixed greens, add them as well.
Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the salad immediately, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.