When a friend first served me stuffed avocado with shrimp at her summer garden party, I couldn’t believe how elegant yet simple it looked! You’ll love how this dish combines buttery avocados with perfectly cooked shrimp and a zesty cilantro dressing that’ll make your taste buds dance. It’s the kind of recipe that’ll transform your next gathering from ordinary to extraordinary, and you won’t believe how quickly it comes together. Let’s discover how to create this showstopping appetizer that’s bound to impress your guests.
Key Takeaways
- Select ripe avocados that yield slightly when pressed, then halve and remove the pit for stuffing.
- Clean and devein fresh shrimp, season with salt and pepper, then cook until pink and tender.
- Blend fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt to create a vibrant green dressing for drizzling.
- Fill avocado halves with cooked shrimp mixture and top with cilantro dressing just before serving.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and cracked black pepper, serving immediately for best flavor and presentation.
History
While stuffed avocados have graced tables since the early 1900s, the shrimp-filled version gained popularity in coastal California during the 1960s.
You’ll find this dish’s roots in the fusion of Mexican and American cuisines, as creative home cooks began experimenting with seafood-filled variations of traditional guacamole.
The combination really took off when health-conscious Americans discovered avocado’s nutritional benefits. Restaurants from San Diego to San Francisco started featuring these seafood-stuffed treats on their menus!
By the 1970s, you’d commonly find this refreshing appetizer at dinner parties and casual gatherings. The addition of cilantro dressing came later, in the 1980s, when fresh herbs became a staple in California cuisine.
Today, you’ll spot countless variations of this classic dish in cookbooks and food blogs worldwide.
Recipe
Stuffed avocados with shrimp offer a delightful combination of creamy and succulent textures, creating an elegant dish that’s perfect for both casual lunches and formal gatherings. The natural richness of ripe avocados pairs beautifully with tender shrimp, while a fresh cilantro dressing adds a bright, citrusy finish.
This refreshing dish requires minimal preparation time and cooking effort, making it an ideal choice for warm weather entertaining or a light meal. The contrast between the cool avocado and warm shrimp creates an interesting temperature variation that enhances the overall dining experience.
- 4 ripe avocados
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro
- 2 fresh limes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 clove garlic (optional)
Cut avocados lengthwise and remove pits. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, then heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
While shrimp cools, make the dressing by blending cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until smooth. Scoop out some avocado flesh to create a deeper well, brush exposed areas with lime juice to prevent browning, then fill each avocado half with cooked shrimp. Drizzle with cilantro dressing and serve immediately.
For best results, select avocados that are ripe but still firm to the touch. The cilantro dressing can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery, avoid overcooking and remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink. If making ahead, keep the components separate and assemble just before serving to maintain freshness and prevent the avocados from oxidizing.
Cooking Steps
You’ll want to start by selecting perfectly ripe avocados that give slightly when pressed, as this ensures the ideal creamy texture for stuffing.
Next, season and cook your shrimp until they’re pink and tender, while whipping up a vibrant cilantro dressing that’ll bring a zesty punch to each bite.
Finally, you’ll hollow out your avocado halves, fill them with the succulent shrimp, and finish with a generous drizzle of the fresh cilantro sauce!
Step 1. Select Ripe Avocados Carefully
Successfully choosing ripe avocados makes all the difference in this elegant appetizer!
You’ll want to look for avocados that yield gently when pressed but aren’t too mushy. The skin should be dark green to almost black in color.
Here’s a pro tip: press near the stem end – if it gives slightly, you’ve found the perfect avocado! If it’s rock hard, it’ll need 3-4 days to ripen at room temperature. Too soft? It’s likely overripe with brown spots inside.
For this recipe, choose avocados that are similar in size and ripeness.
You can speed up ripening by placing them in a paper bag with a banana. Once they’re perfectly ripe, store them in the refrigerator for up to two days until you’re ready to stuff them!
Step 2. Prepare Shrimp Before Cooking
Starting with fresh, high-quality shrimp is essential for this recipe’s success!
You’ll want to begin by thoroughly cleaning and deveining your shrimp under cool running water. Remove both the outer shell and the dark vein running along the back – this dark line isn’t actually a vein, but the shrimp’s digestive tract.
Pat your cleaned shrimp completely dry with paper towels to ensure they’ll sear properly. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect golden-brown exterior!
Season the shrimp with a generous pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper, making sure to coat both sides evenly. For extra flavor, you can add a light sprinkle of garlic powder or paprika.
Once seasoned, let the shrimp rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before cooking – this helps them cook more evenly!
Step 3. Make Fresh Cilantro Dressing
Creating the vibrant cilantro dressing takes just three simple steps!
First, rinse a large bunch of fresh cilantro and pat it dry. Remove any tough stems, keeping the tender leaves and small stems for maximum flavor. You’ll need about 2 cups of loosely packed cilantro.
Add your cilantro to a blender along with the juice of 2 fresh limes and a generous pinch of salt. For extra creaminess, you can include 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Blend until you’ve got a smooth, vibrant green sauce!
Give your dressing a taste test and adjust the seasoning. If it’s too tart, add a touch more salt. If it’s too thick, splash in a tablespoon of water.
Your fresh cilantro dressing is ready to drizzle over those succulent shrimp-stuffed avocados!
Step 4. Assemble and Garnish Components
Bringing together these vibrant components creates an Instagram-worthy presentation that’s sure to impress! Start by arranging your halved avocados on a serving platter, making sure they’re stable and won’t tip over.
Spoon the cooled shrimp mixture into each avocado cavity, allowing some pieces to cascade naturally over the sides. You’ll want about 4-5 medium shrimp per avocado half.
Drizzle your fresh cilantro dressing generously over each stuffed avocado, making sure to catch both the shrimp and the creamy green flesh.
For the finishing touch, garnish with extra cilantro leaves, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper, and lime wedges on the side.
Don’t forget to add a light dusting of sea salt right before serving – it’ll make all the flavors pop!
Step 5. Present With Fresh Garnish
The perfect garnishes add both visual appeal and complementary flavors to your stuffed avocados!
Start by sprinkling fresh microgreens or watercress around the plate’s edges for a pop of vibrant color.
Add thinly sliced radishes for a delightful crunch and peppery kick.
Finish your presentation by placing lime wedges alongside each avocado half – they’ll add a beautiful burst of citrus when squeezed over the dish.
For an extra special touch, scatter some red pepper flakes and black sesame seeds over the shrimp filling.
Don’t forget to add a few whole cilantro leaves on top!
These fresh elements not only make your dish Instagram-worthy but also provide exciting textural contrast with every bite.
Serve immediately while the avocados are at their peak freshness.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party or craving a light summer meal, these stuffed avocados with shrimp won’t disappoint! The combination of buttery avocados and tender shrimp creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures that’ll impress your guests every time.
You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your needs – double the portions for a larger gathering or prepare components ahead of time for stress-free entertaining. The versatility of this dish makes it ideal for any occasion, from casual lunches to formal dinners. Don’t forget to experiment with different garnishes like microgreens, red pepper flakes, or a squeeze of extra lime juice to make it your own! With minimal prep time and maximum visual impact, this recipe is sure to become a regular in your entertaining repertoire.
