California MediterraneanEasy · Warm
A bright, steamy-meets-crisp rice salad where perfectly cooked shrimp meet creamy avocado over fluffy microwave rice, finished with a punchy lemon-herb dressing. No stovetop needed.
15 min
20 min
10 min
45 min
Method
Combine white rice, water, and salt in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover loosely with a microwave-safe plate or plastic wrap (leave a corner cracked for steam to escape).
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In a wide serving bowl, combine fluffed rice, chopped shrimp, cubed avocado, cucumber, and tomato. Pour dressing over everything and toss gently — respect the avocado, don't mangle it.
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -3
Calories
683
per serving
Protein
37g
Carbs
87g
Fat
23g
Sat. fat
4g
Fiber
8g
Sugar
4g
Sodium
1397mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Very high impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
3.7
per serving
Water
24m³
Land
54Pt
Runoff
1.0g P
shrimp drives 82% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
MicrowaveTechniques
Safety & Storage
Allergen Warning
This recipe contains shrimp, a crustacean shellfish allergen. Clearly label dishes containing shellfish and confirm all guests have no shellfish allergies before serving.
Cooking Temperature
Microwave-cooked shrimp must reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) to ensure food safety. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness, especially for larger shrimp or if microwave power varies.
Cross Contamination
Raw shrimp juices can contaminate other foods. Use separate cutting boards for raw shrimp, wash all utensils and surfaces with hot soapy water immediately after contact, and never place ready-to-eat foods on surfaces that touched raw shrimp.
Handling
Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after handling raw shrimp before touching other foods, dishes, or surfaces.
High Risk Population
Pregnant women, young children, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised persons should only consume shrimp that has been cooked to proper internal temperature. Avoid serving this dish to these populations if shrimp temperature cannot be verified.
Storage
Shrimp and avocado are highly perishable. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving. Shrimp alone keeps 1-2 days refrigerated; avocado oxidizes quickly and should be eaten same day. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours total.
Equipment Safety
Use only microwave-safe dishes when cooking shrimp. Ensure plastic wrap used for covering does not touch food and is labeled microwave-safe. Never use single-use plastic bags in the microwave.
Shelf Life
Prepared dish with avocado should be consumed within 4 hours if left at room temperature, or refrigerated for up to 24 hours. The texture of avocado degrades significantly after 24 hours of refrigeration.
Pro Tips
Technique
Don't skip the 5-minute rest after microwaving the rice—that's carryover heat doing the real work, finishing those grains to fluffy perfection without you lifting a finger.
Substitution
Swap the shrimp for salmon cubes or diced chicken breast; just add 1-2 extra minutes of microwave time and check for an internal temp of 145°F.
From the chef
I know what you're thinking—microwave rice salad? But hear me out. I spent years standing over a pot, watching water boil like it was entertainment, when the microwave gives me perfectly separate, steam-tender grains every single time. The shrimp cook in two minutes with gentle, even heat—no rubber-band curl, no overcooked chewyness. Toss it all together with a sharp lemon-herb dressing and you get this gorgeous contrast: warm rice, cool shrimp, and that buttery avocado that just melts into everything. This is weeknight cooking without the theater.
Source: generated · June 10, 2026