If you’re looking to impress friends or simply treat yourself to something vibrant and bursting with fresh flavors, the Stuffed Grilled Avocados with Mango Salsa and Shrimp Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This dish combines creamy grilled avocados, juicy grilled shrimp, and a zesty, colorful mango salsa that makes every bite a delightful celebration of texture and taste. Quick to prepare yet stunning on the plate, it’s perfect for summer gatherings or a lively weeknight dinner that tastes like a tropical vacation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each component of this recipe is thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor, color, and contrast. From the tender shrimp to the sweet mango and spicy chilies, these ingredients work in harmony to create a dish that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious.
- Raw shrimp (1 pound): Peeled and deveined for easy grilling and perfect bite-sized pieces.
- Avocado oil (2 tablespoons): Adds a subtle richness and helps everything grill beautifully without sticking.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Infuses the shrimp with a gentle savory depth.
- Paprika (1/2 teaspoon): Offers a warm smokiness that complements the seafood.
- Sea salt (1/4 teaspoon plus pinch for seasoning): Enhances all the natural flavors perfectly.
- California avocados (4 to 6, halved and pitted): The creamy base, firm enough to hold its shape on the grill.
- Fresh mango (1 cup, diced): Sweet and juicy, it’s the star of the salsa with a tropical punch.
- Fresno chili (1, seeded and finely chopped): Adds a mild but exciting kick to the salsa.
- Jalapeno (1, seeded and finely chopped): Brings vibrant heat to balance the sweetness.
- Red onion (2 tablespoons, finely chopped): Introduces a bit of crunch and sharpness to the salsa.
- Fresh lime juice (1 tablespoon): Brightens and lifts the whole salsa with refreshing acidity.
How to Make Stuffed Grilled Avocados with Mango Salsa and Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Fire Up the Grill and Prepare the Shrimp
Before anything else, get your grill heated to medium-high. This ensures those gorgeous grill marks and quick cooking for the shrimp. Meanwhile, toss the shrimp in a sealable bag with avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, and sea salt. Give it a good shake so every shrimp is coated with seasoning that will sing over the flames.
Step 2: Grill the Avocados to Perfection
Coat the cut sides of your avocado halves with more avocado oil or olive oil, then sprinkle with sea salt. Place them cut-side down on the grill for two minutes, flip, and grill for an additional two minutes. This quick char adds a smoky depth and lightly softens the flesh while keeping the avocado sturdy enough to hold the delicious toppings.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Next, place the seasoned shrimp on the grill. Watch carefully for beautiful grill marks to appear in about 2 to 3 minutes, then flip. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and perfectly tender. Transfer them to a plate, ready to be piled into the avocado boats.
Step 4: Mix the Mango Salsa
In a bowl, combine the diced fresh mango, finely chopped Fresno chili and jalapeno, red onion, lime juice, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir gently to marry all the flavors—a luscious salsa that’s sweet, spicy, tangy, and colorful, all at once.
Step 5: Assemble the Stuffed Grilled Avocados
Now comes the fun part: spoon generous amounts of mango salsa into each avocado half. Top each one with two or three plump grilled shrimp. The contrast of creamy avocado, juicy shrimp, and zesty salsa is irresistible. Serve immediately, and watch everyone dig in with delight.
How to Serve Stuffed Grilled Avocados with Mango Salsa and Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the presentation and flavor, consider sprinkling some chopped fresh cilantro or a light dusting of smoked paprika on top. A few lime wedges on the side encourage extra brightness with every bite, and a dash of flaky sea salt can enhance the natural flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with light, fresh accompaniments. Think cilantro-lime rice, crisp green salads, or even charred corn on the cob. These sides complement without overshadowing the star of the show—the stuffed grilled avocados.
Creative Ways to Present
For a more festive display, serve the Stuffed Grilled Avocados with Mango Salsa and Shrimp Recipe on a large platter lined with fresh lettuce leaves or banana leaves for a tropical vibe. You can also provide small forks or toothpicks for easy sharing and nibbling at casual get-togethers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, store the stuffed avocados separately from the shrimp and salsa to maintain texture. Cover the ingredients tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, though eating them fresh is always best for peak flavor and texture.
Freezing
This dish doesn’t freeze well once assembled because avocados change texture and become watery; however, you can freeze the cooked shrimp separately. Place the shrimp in a sealed container or bag, and freeze for up to one month. Defrost in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
To reheat the shrimp, warm them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until just heated through — be careful not to overcook. Avoid reheating the avocado halves to preserve their creamy texture. Instead, assemble fresh with leftover shrimp and salsa.
FAQs
Can I use other types of seafood instead of shrimp?
Absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully with scallops or chunks of firm white fish like mahi-mahi. Just adjust grill times accordingly to ensure seafood is cooked through.
What if I don’t have a grill? Can I cook this indoors?
You can use a grill pan or broiler to mimic the grilling effect indoors. Just make sure to watch closely so the shrimp and avocados get a nice char without burning.
How ripe should the avocados be?
Pick firm yet ripe avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure. They need to hold their shape on the grill but still be creamy enough to complement the filling perfectly.
Is this recipe spicy? Can I adjust the heat?
The heat level can be easily customized by adjusting the amount of jalapeno and Fresno chili or removing the seeds entirely. You can also omit one of the chilies for a milder salsa that still packs flavor.
Can I prepare the mango salsa ahead of time?
Yes! The salsa can be mixed a few hours in advance and stored covered in the fridge. This actually allows the flavors to meld more deeply, but add the avocado and shrimp just before serving for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the Stuffed Grilled Avocados with Mango Salsa and Shrimp Recipe enough if you’re craving something fresh, quick, and colorful. It’s a dish that feels elevated yet completely doable, combining some of my favorite ingredients into one glorious bite. Give it a try and watch your guests’ faces light up—they’ll be asking for this recipe again and again!
PrintStuffed Grilled Avocados with Mango Salsa and Shrimp Recipe
Enjoy a vibrant and healthy meal with these Stuffed Grilled Avocados filled with flavorful grilled shrimp and fresh mango salsa. This summer-inspired dish combines smoky, tender shrimp with creamy avocado halves and a zesty, sweet-tart mango salsa, making it perfect for a light lunch or a crowd-pleasing appetizer in just 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: California, American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Shrimp and Avocados
- 1 pound raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 to 6 ripe but firm California avocados (halved, pits removed)
- Avocado oil or olive oil (for coating)
- Sea salt (to sprinkle)
Mango Salsa
- 1 cup fresh mango (diced)
- 1 fresno chili (seeded and finely chopped)
- 1 jalapeno (seeded and finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 pinch sea salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill: Fire up your grill to a medium-high heat so it’s ready to cook the shrimp and avocados perfectly.
- Prepare the Shrimp: In a sealable bag, combine the shrimp with 2 tablespoons avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Shake well to coat the shrimp evenly with the marinade.
- Coat the Avocados: Brush the flesh side of each avocado half with avocado oil or olive oil and sprinkle lightly with sea salt to enhance flavor while grilling.
- Grill the Avocados: Place avocados cut-side down on the grill and cook for 2 minutes. Flip them over and grill for another 2 minutes. Remove from the grill and set aside carefully to maintain their shape.
- Grill the Shrimp: Place the marinated shrimp on the hot grill. Cook until grill marks appear, about 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and grill for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until cooked through and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate.
- Make the Mango Salsa: In a bowl, mix together diced mango, fresno chili, jalapeno, red onion, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir well to combine all the fresh flavors evenly.
- Stuff the Avocados: Spoon generous amounts of mango salsa into each grilled avocado half. Top each filled avocado with 2 or 3 grilled shrimp for a delightful combination.
- Serve and Enjoy: Present the stuff grilled avocados on a serving platter. Any leftover shrimp can be served in a bowl as extra for guests who want seconds.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm avocados to ensure they hold up well on the grill and when stuffed.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the fresno chili and jalapeno in the salsa.
- Leftover shrimp can be chilled and used later in salads or tacos.
- Avocado oil works best for grilling due to its high smoke point, but olive oil is a good substitute.
- This recipe is perfect for summer cookouts and pairs well with a crisp white wine.
