This summery Grilled Shrimp Salad is light, crisp, and refreshing, but totally satisfying. Great with fresh fruit, tangy goat cheese, and a Strawberry Lime Poppyseed Vinaigrette. The shrimp will taste great. Gluten free and packed with flavor!.
Shrimp is a delicacy that can be prepared in endless ways. From scampi to coconut shrimp and beyond, the options are endless. But what about fruits that can complement and enhance the flavors of everyone’s favorite crustacean? Believe it or not, there are quite a few fruits that make fantastic pairings with shrimp dishes.
When selecting fruits to serve alongside shrimp, you’ll want options that provide contrasting flavors and textures to balance out the richness of the seafood. Tart tropical fruits tend to work especially well. Their bright acidity cuts through the fattiness of shrimp cleansing the palate. Their sweetness also balances the inherent brininess of shrimp.
Based on their flavor profiles and ability to accentuate shrimp’s tastes and textures here are some of the top fruits to consider
Tropical Fruits
Tropical fruits like mango pineapple, papaya and kiwi offer the perfect balance of sweet and tart to complement shrimp. Their tropical essences also evoke the feeling of an island vacation, pairing well with shrimp’s beachy, oceanic flavors.
Mango – The sweet juiciness of mango balances beautifully with salty, garlicky shrimp. Grill shrimp skewers and serve with fresh mango salsa for a simple yet flavor-packed meal.
Pineapple – From tacos to skewers, caramelized pineapple rings lend a tangy sweetness and playful texture to shrimp dishes. Grilled pineapple slaws are also an easy shrimp topper.
Kiwi – Kiwi’s sourness helps cut through buttery, creamy shrimp preparations. Make a kiwi relish or chimichurri to drizzle over sauteed shrimp.
Papaya – Papaya’s tropical vibrancy keeps rich shrimp dishes feeling light. Shrimp salads get a dose of sunshine from diced papaya mixed in.
Berries
Though less tropical in nature, berries like strawberries and raspberries make excellent companions for shrimp. Their sweet-tart balance complements shrimp perfectly.
Strawberries – Fresh strawberry salsa is a simple pairing for grilled shrimp. For an elegant appetizer, stuff shrimp with goat cheese and top with a sliced strawberry.
Raspberries – The mild sweet-tartness of raspberries accentuates buttery shrimp in pastas and risottos. Blend into a coulis to drizzle over sauteed shrimp.
Blueberries – Blueberries offer just enough sweetness to balance more savory, garlicky shrimp preparations. Toss into a shrimp salad or mix into a yogurt dipping sauce.
Citrus Fruits
Bright, acidic citrus fruits like orange, grapefruit, and lime help spotlight shrimp’s briny essence. They add vibrant freshness that cuts through the rich tastes.
Orange – Fresh orange segments lend color and a tangy sweetness to shrimp tacos or ceviche. Orange zest can also accent shrimp scampi.
Grapefruit – Grapefruit’s bitter edge makes it perfect for cutting through fatty, fried shrimp. Make a shrimp salad with segments or a grapefruit vinaigrette.
Lime – Lime juice and zest are natural pairings for Southwest or Mexican shrimp dishes. The acidity balances out bold Tex-Mex spices and flavors.
So don’t be afraid to think outside the box and pair your shrimp with fruits! Tropical, berry, and citrus fruits can all add vibrant colors, textures, acidity, and sweetness that perfectly complement everyone’s favorite seafood. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite fruit and shrimp pairings.
Making the Shrimp Salad
Here are some of the steps you need to take to make the salad. For exact amounts and step-by-step instructions, see the recipe card.
Grill the shrimp: Whisk together the marinade ingredients and add the shrimp. Let it marinate for 15-30 minutes. Preheat your grill or grill pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side. If you are using raw shrimp, make sure it is pink and cooked through. Shrimp that has already been cooked only needs a few minutes to warm up and get some of that grill flavor.
For the dressing, put all of the ingredients in a blender or small food processor and blend them until the dressing is smooth. Transfer to a bowl or jar and stir in the poppy seeds.
Assemble the salad: You can make one big salad to toss and serve, or individual salads. Fill a large bowl or individual plates or bowls with the greens. Top with the fruit and grilled shrimp. Crumble over the goat cheese and sprinkle on the pine nuts. Drizzle with the dressing. Toss, if desired, and enjoy right away!.
- You can make Chili Lime Shrimp in a skillet instead of on the grill. It tastes sweet and spicy at the same time.
- If you don’t like seafood, Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Breast is a great option.
- Pork Tenderloin would also be a tasty addition.
Use a different dressing
- Strawberry, blueberry, and peach are some other fruits you could try instead of watermelon, mango, and pineapple. Even cucumber or tomato will add a little savory freshness.
- If you don’t like goat cheese, don’t eat it. Instead, try feta, cotija, queso fresco, or blue cheese.
- Instead of pine nuts, try walnuts, toasted unsweetened coconut, or even something new like Tropical Granola for a crunchy snack.
What You’ll Need to Make This Salad
A super simple quick marinade gives the shrimp and extra little burst of flavor.
- Lime: Before you cut the limes in half, use a zester to remove the zest.
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper: Just a pinch or two, to taste.
- Shrimp: It’s best to use raw shrimp, but you can use cooked shrimp if you need to. You can still add more flavor by letting it soak in the marinade and cooking it for a few minutes on the grill or grill pan. Make sure it is peeled and deveined.
It’s really super simple to toss these ingredients together.
- If you toast pine nuts in a skillet, they get a nice toasty flavor and add a bit of crunch to the salad.
- You can also use your favorite greens, like romaine, arugula, or spinach.
- Chopped fruit: I like mango, pineapple, and watermelon all mixed together for the best bright, summery taste. But feel free to mix it up.
- When you crumble goat cheese on this salad, you’ll love how tangy it tastes.
- Strawberry Poppyseed Vinaigrette: There is a simple and very tasty recipe for this dressing, but you can also use bottled dressing. We like the Marzetti one in the fridge section of the grocery store, but you can find other brands in the store and online.
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FAQ
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