Grilled Shrimp Bowl with Avocado Corn Salsa

The Grilled Shrimp Bowl with Avocado Corn Salsa is the perfect recipe to welcome warm weather with vibrant, fresh flavors. Smoky grilled shrimp meets the creamy richness of avocado and the sweetness of corn in a colorful, zesty combination that’s just as satisfying as it is beautiful. The entire bowl is tied together with a luscious garlic sauce that brings depth and creaminess to every bite.

This recipe is great for meal prep or impressing guests with minimal effort. It’s high in protein, naturally gluten-free, and incredibly customizable, swap rice for quinoa, use grilled chicken instead of shrimp, or spice it up with jalapeños. Whether you’re enjoying this bowl on your patio or packing it up for lunch, it’s an easy win for any occasion.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups cooked white or brown rice
1 ripe avocado, diced
1 cup cooked corn (grilled or canned, drained)
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Juice of 1 lime

Creamy Garlic Sauce:

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt to taste

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Grill the shrimp over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and slightly charred.
In another bowl, combine diced avocado, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Mix gently.
For the garlic sauce, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
To assemble, place a scoop of rice into each bowl, top with grilled shrimp and avocado corn salsa. Drizzle with creamy garlic sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 430 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Discover the Ultimate Summer Bowl: Grilled Shrimp with Avocado Corn Salsa and Creamy Garlic Sauce

If there’s one dish that captures the essence of warm weather, vibrant produce, and quick yet satisfying cooking, it’s this Grilled Shrimp Bowl with Avocado Corn Salsa and Creamy Garlic Sauce. From backyard BBQs to light weeknight dinners, this bowl offers a complete meal that hits all the right notes: smoky, creamy, tangy, and fresh. It’s also one of those recipes that strikes the perfect balance between being easy to whip up and looking impressive enough to serve to guests.

Whether you’re a seafood lover or just trying to add more lean protein to your meals, this shrimp bowl is a refreshing take on comfort food that won’t leave you feeling heavy. The combination of grilled shrimp and fresh salsa makes this dish bright and flavorful, while the creamy garlic sauce adds just the right amount of indulgence.

A Closer Look at the Ingredients

Shrimp: The Star Protein

Shrimp is a lean, high-protein seafood that cooks in minutes and absorbs flavor quickly. It’s also rich in selenium, vitamin B12, and iodine. In this recipe, the shrimp is seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, and black pepper to deliver bold flavor that pairs well with the cooling effect of the avocado and the tangy garlic sauce.

Using peeled and deveined shrimp helps save time in the kitchen. If you’re buying frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw it properly before cooking to ensure even grilling and optimal texture.

Avocado Corn Salsa: A Sweet & Creamy Contrast

The avocado corn salsa offers more than just flavor because it brings texture and color to the bowl. The creamy richness of the avocado plays beautifully against the sweet crispness of corn. Cherry tomatoes add brightness, red onion delivers a subtle sharpness, and cilantro and lime juice tie everything together with a pop of freshness.

This salsa is essentially a chunky guacamole-meets-summer-corn-salad hybrid, and it’s good enough to eat by the spoonful. You can also repurpose leftovers in wraps, tacos, or as a dip for chips.

Creamy Garlic Sauce: The Flavor Bomb

Made from Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and freshly minced garlic, this sauce is what pulls everything together in the bowl. It’s tangy, slightly garlicky, and luxuriously smooth. The yogurt brings a probiotic punch, while the mayo adds richness without overpowering the rest of the dish.

This garlic sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s not only great on shrimp bowls, but also wonderful drizzled on grilled chicken, roasted veggies, or used as a sandwich spread.

Rice Base: Customizable Comfort

The bed of fluffy white or brown rice serves as a hearty, comforting base for the bowl. Rice absorbs the juices from the salsa and sauce, ensuring no flavor goes to waste. You can easily switch the rice for quinoa, cauliflower rice, or even farro for a fiber-packed twist.

Cooking Techniques That Maximize Flavor

Grilling shrimp gives them a slight char and a smoky depth that pan-searing just can’t replicate. You can use an outdoor grill, a grill pan on the stove, or even an air fryer if you’re short on time. Just make sure not to overcook the shrimp, they’re done when they curl into a “C” shape and turn pink with opaque flesh.

The salsa ingredients should be chopped evenly for a cohesive texture, and the lime juice should be added right before serving to keep the avocado from browning. As for the garlic sauce, whisk it until completely smooth so it drizzles perfectly over the bowl without clumping.

Health Benefits You’ll Love

Lean Protein: Shrimp offers high-quality protein with very little fat.
Heart-Healthy Fats: Avocado is rich in monounsaturated fats and fiber, which support heart health.
Probiotics: Greek yogurt provides beneficial bacteria that aid digestion and immune function.
Vitamins & Minerals: This bowl is packed with vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants from the colorful vegetables.
Gluten-Free: Naturally free of gluten, this dish is safe for those with sensitivities or celiac disease.
Low in Calories: With less than 450 kcal per serving, this meal is light yet filling.

Customization Ideas

Swap the Protein: Try grilled chicken, salmon, tofu, or tempeh for variety.
Go Spicy: Add sliced jalapeños, chili flakes, or a dash of hot sauce to the salsa or garlic sauce.
Low-Carb Option: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or leafy greens like romaine or spinach.
Add Crunch: Toss in some pepitas, crushed tortilla chips, or crispy chickpeas for texture.
Make it Vegan: Use grilled veggies or marinated tofu and swap the yogurt-based sauce with a cashew or tahini dressing.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is perfect as a standalone meal but also works well when paired with:

A chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a citrusy rosé
A side of tortilla chips and guacamole
A crisp cucumber salad or light coleslaw
Fresh mango slices or a tropical fruit salad for dessert

It also makes a fantastic meal prep option. Just store the components separately and assemble when ready to eat. The shrimp and rice can be served warm or at room temperature, while the salsa and sauce are best cold or chilled.

Why This Dish Is a Crowd-Pleaser

There’s something universally appealing about a meal in a bowl. It feels casual yet complete layered with textures, colors, and flavors that work together harmoniously. This Grilled Shrimp Bowl is versatile enough for picky eaters, foodies, and health-conscious folks alike. It’s quick to make, easy to clean up after, and packed with feel-good ingredients.

Plus, it looks as good as it tastes. With golden shrimp, vibrant salsa, and creamy sauce swirled over a bed of rice, it’s a total showstopper for any dinner table or food photo.

Conclusion

The Grilled Shrimp Bowl with Avocado Corn Salsa and Creamy Garlic Sauce is more than just a summer recipe, it’s a celebration of bold flavors, wholesome ingredients, and simple preparation. Whether you’re making dinner for your family or meal-prepping lunches for the week, this bowl offers satisfaction without the stress.

With the perfect balance of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and mouthwatering flavors, this is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again. It’s light yet filling, refreshing yet comforting, and endlessly customizable for whatever you’re craving.

If you’re ready to fire up the grill and enjoy the vibrant taste of summer in a bowl, this shrimp bowl has your name all over it.

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