Latin AmericanMedium · Hot
Garlic Shrimp with Avocado and Lime
Shrimp cook fast in fragrant garlic until just curled and golden, then come off the heat before they go rubbery — timing is everything. Creamy avocado goes alongside to cool the warmth of the garlic, and lime ties it all together with the acidity the dish needs. Cilantro finishes it; no plate from this kitchen leaves without it.
Prep
10 min
Cook
8 min
Rest
5 min
Total
21 min
Method
Season the Shrimp
1
Pat the shrimp dry and toss with 3 cloves minced garlic, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Let it rest while you make the sauce.
Build the Lime Garlic Sauce
2
In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of all 3 limes (about 6 tbsp), 4 cloves grated garlic, olive oil, black pepper, and salt. The acid will wake up the garlic — let it sit for a minute to bloom.
Cook the Shrimp
3
Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until the shrimp are fully opaque and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Finish and Plate
A
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -3
Calories
331
per serving
High in protein · 32gLow sugar · 2gLow saturated fat · 3g
Protein
32g
Carbs
14g
Fat
19g
Sat. fat
3g
Fiber
6g
Sugar
2g
Sodium
1111mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
E
Environmental impact
Very high impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
3.5
per serving
ECarbonBEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
25m³
Land
47Pt
Runoff
1.1g P
shrimp drives 95% 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
6
Umami
3
Sweet
5
Salty
7
Sour
1
Bitter
4
Spicy
Textures
TenderCreamySaucy
Aromas
CitrusGarlicHerbalEarthy
Kitchen Equipment
Techniques
Safety & Storage
Allergen Warning
This recipe contains shrimp, a crustacean shellfish allergen. If serving guests, confirm no shellfish allergy before serving.
Cooking Temperature
Cook shrimp until they reach 145°F internal temperature and appear opaque throughout. Do not overcook — shrimp become rubbery quickly past this point.
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw shrimp. Never place cooked shrimp on surfaces that held raw shrimp without sanitizing first.
Storage
Refrigerate leftover shrimp within 2 hours of cooking. Store in airtight containers and consume within 2-3 days for best quality and safety.
High Risk Population
Elderly individuals, young children, pregnant individuals, and immunocompromised persons should only consume shrimp that is fully cooked and properly handled to avoid foodborne illness.
Handling
Pat shrimp dry before seasoning to ensure proper browning. For freshest results, use shrimp within 1-2 days of purchase and keep on ice until ready to cook.
Pro Tips
Technique
Do not overcook the shrimp. One to two minutes per side is enough — they should be opaque and just barely firm. The moment they turn rubbery, you've lost them. Take them off the heat while they still have a little give.
Flavor Boost
Let the lime-garlic sauce sit for a couple of minutes before you pour it over the shrimp. The acid wakes up the garlic and deepens the whole sauce. And please — always finish with a final squeeze of lime at the table. Never skip it.
Substitution
No avocado on hand? A handful of sliced cherry tomatoes or a few spoonfuls of pico de gallo will give you that same fresh, cooling contrast. The dish forgives you, as long as you keep the lime.
From the chef
This is the kind of dish that reminds me of afternoons in Guayaquil, when the light comes in golden off the water and someone is always squeezing lime over something. The shrimp take only minutes, but they carry all the brightness you need — garlic, cumin, and that big squeeze of lime at the end that makes everything sing. I plate it with avocado and cilantro because a dish should feel generous, like you're feeding someone you love.
TagsSeafoodGarlicLimeAvocadoCilantroQuick CookingBright FlavorsCoastal
AllergensShellfish
Source: generated · May 30, 2026