Garlic Shrimp Stuffed Avocados

$- 2 ripe avocados - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes - Salt and black pepper to taste - 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped - 1/4 teaspoon paprika (for garnish) To make the best garlic shrimp stuffed avocados, use fresh and high-quality ingredients. Choose ripe avocados that yield slightly to pressure. This means they are ready to eat. For shrimp, look for large, firm, and translucent pieces. Fresh shrimp should smell like the sea, not fishy. Minced garlic adds a strong flavor. Use fresh garlic cloves for the best taste. Cherry tomatoes should be bright and firm for a sweet burst. Lastly, pick fresh cilantro for a vibrant touch. You can customize your stuffed avocados easily. For a spicy kick, add more red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. If you want a different flavor, try lime juice instead of lemon juice. For a creamy texture, mix in some Greek yogurt or sour cream. If you prefer a vegetarian option, use chickpeas instead of shrimp. You can also swap the cherry tomatoes for diced bell peppers or corn for a sweeter taste. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, gather your shrimp and ingredients. Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a medium bowl. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well. This step ensures every shrimp gets good flavor. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. The shrimp should turn pink and opaque. Once cooked, remove them from heat and let them cool slightly. Next, take your ripe avocados. Cut each avocado in half lengthwise. Carefully remove the pits. Use a spoon to scoop out some flesh. This creates space for your shrimp filling. Set the scooped-out avocado flesh aside. You’ll mix it back into the shrimp later. Now, it’s time to put it all together. Chop the scooped avocado flesh. Add it to the bowl with the shrimp. Toss in the quartered cherry tomatoes and chopped cilantro. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Take each avocado half and fill it with the shrimp mixture. Pack it in gently for a nice presentation. Finally, sprinkle paprika on top to add color and flavor. Enjoy your delicious garlic shrimp stuffed avocados! To cook shrimp well, heat your skillet to medium-high first. This helps shrimp cook evenly. You want them pink and opaque, which takes about 2-3 minutes on each side. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. This keeps the shrimp juicy and tender. After cooking, let them cool slightly before mixing with the avocado. Select ripe avocados for this dish. They should feel soft but not mushy when you gently squeeze them. If they are too hard, they won’t scoop easily. If they are too soft, they may be overripe. When you cut them, look for a nice green color inside. This means they are fresh and ready to use. To make your stuffed avocados even tastier, think about adding extras. You can mix in some diced red onion or bell peppers for crunch. A splash of lime juice adds a nice zing. If you like heat, increase the red pepper flakes. Fresh herbs like parsley or basil can also bring new flavors to the mix. Experiment and find what you enjoy most! Pro Tips Choose Ripe Avocados: Make sure your avocados are ripe for the best flavor and texture. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed. Perfectly Cooked Shrimp: Avoid overcooking the shrimp; they should be just pink and opaque. Remove them from heat as soon as they reach this stage. Customize the Heat: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference. You can also add fresh jalapeños for an extra kick! Chill for Flavor: For a refreshing dish, chill the stuffed avocados in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors. {{image_2}} You can change the heat of the dish easily. If you like it mild, skip the red pepper flakes. For more heat, add more flakes or a dash of hot sauce. You can also use diced jalapeños for a fresh kick. Taste the mixture before stuffing. Adjust as needed to fit your taste. If you want a vegetarian or vegan option, swap shrimp for black beans or chickpeas. Cook them in olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice for flavor. Add the same spices to keep it tasty. You can also use sautéed mushrooms for a meaty texture. The avocado pairs well with these flavors. Toppings can add a fun twist to your dish. Try sliced radishes for crunch or diced red onion for bite. A squeeze of lime juice can brighten the dish. You can also sprinkle some feta cheese or avocado slices on top. Fresh herbs like parsley or dill offer great flavor, too. To keep your garlic shrimp stuffed avocados fresh, store them in an airtight container. Keep the shrimp mixture separate from the avocado halves. This will help prevent the avocados from browning. If you must mix them, add a little lemon juice to slow browning. Use the leftovers within two days for best taste. When stored correctly, garlic shrimp stuffed avocados last about one to two days in the fridge. After this time, the avocados may become mushy. The shrimp will still be safe to eat, but the flavor won't be as great. Always check for any off smells or changes in texture before eating. Freezing avocado dishes is tricky. Avocados do not freeze well because they lose texture and flavor. However, you can freeze the shrimp mixture. Place it in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. It will last about three months in the freezer. When ready to use, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, prepare fresh avocados to enjoy the dish. Yes, you can prep the shrimp and mix before serving. However, wait to stuff the avocados. The avocado can brown if left too long. To keep them fresh, store the shrimp mixture in the fridge. Stuff the avocados just before serving to keep them bright and tasty. I recommend using large shrimp for better texture. They hold up well when cooked. Look for fresh, peeled, and deveined shrimp. You can also use frozen shrimp, just make sure to thaw them first. Fresh shrimp adds great flavor, but frozen works fine too. If you need ripe avocados fast, place them in a brown paper bag. The bag traps the ethylene gas, speeding up the ripening. You can also add an apple or banana in the bag. This can help the avocados ripen in a day or two. Check them often to avoid overripening. This blog post covered how to make tasty garlic shrimp stuffed avocados. We explored the best ingredients and how to pick fresh ones. You learned step-by-step instructions for preparing shrimp and avocados. I shared tips for cooking shrimp perfectly and enhancing flavors. We discussed fun variations to customize your dish and offered storage advice to keep leftovers fresh. Now you have all the tools to create this dish. Enjoy your cooking and savor every bite!$

Garlic Shrimp Stuffed Avocados

A delicious and refreshing dish featuring shrimp sautéed in garlic and served in avocado halves.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

2 whole ripe avocados
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
to taste Salt and black pepper
0.25 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
0.25 teaspoon paprika (for garnish)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure shrimp are evenly coated.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the seasoned shrimp. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
While the shrimp are cooling, cut the avocados in half lengthwise and remove the pits. Use a spoon to gently scoop out some of the flesh to create a larger cavity for stuffing.
Chop the scooped-out avocado flesh and mix it with the cooked shrimp. Add the quartered cherry tomatoes and chopped cilantro to the mixture. Stir gently to combine.
Fill each avocado half with the shrimp mixture, packing it in gently.
Sprinkle paprika on top for added color and flavor.
Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before serving for a refreshing treat.

Notes

Serve immediately or chill for a refreshing treat.

Keyword avocado, shrimp, stuffed