I bring together char-grilled shrimp, vibrant avocado-corn salsa, and a luscious garlic-infused sauce in a bright, wholesome bowl that's ready in about 25 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how everything combines beautifully in one bowl—protein-rich shrimp, fresh and crunchy salsa, and a smooth, flavorful garlic sauce. The variety of textures and flavors makes this dish both satisfying and nutritious. It's perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
For the corn salsa:
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
For the creamy garlic sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tbsp lemon (or lime) juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For assembling the bowl:
- 1 avocado, sliced or mashed
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
directions
- Prep shrimp. I toss shrimp with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne.
- Make corn salsa. I mix corn, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt, then set aside.
- Grill shrimp. I grill the shrimp over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Prepare creamy sauce. I whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble bowls. I add corn salsa into bowls, layer shrimp and avocado slices, drizzle with sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 2 servings, ready in 25 minutes—15 minutes prep time and 10 minutes cooking.
Variations
- I add extra spice by mixing chopped jalapeño or cayenne pepper into the sauce.
- For a heartier version, I use rice or quinoa as a base.
- Mixing mashed avocado into the creamy sauce creates a richer and lighter sauce option.
storage/reheating
I store shrimp, salsa, and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge. The salsa stays fresh for about 2 days, the sauce 3–4 days, and shrimp up to 2 days. To reheat, I gently warm the shrimp in a skillet or microwave before assembling the bowls.
FAQs
What's the best way to store leftovers?
I store each component—shrimp, salsa, sauce—in separate airtight containers. The salsa stays fresh about 2 days, sauce 3–4 days, shrimp about 2 days. Warm shrimp gently for best texture.
Is this recipe spicy?
The spice level is adjustable. Cayenne pepper, jalapeño, or hot sauce can be included or omitted based on preference.
Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?
Yes, I gently heat pre-cooked shrimp just before assembling the bowls to avoid a tough texture.
How do I prevent the avocado from browning?
I drizzle avocado slices with extra lime juice, store them in an airtight container, and add avocado to the bowl just before serving.
Can I make this without a grill?
Absolutely! Shrimp can easily be cooked in a skillet on medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side to achieve a similar char.
Conclusion
This grilled shrimp bowl is quick, vibrant, and nutritious, balancing flavorful shrimp, fresh salsa, and creamy garlic sauce. It's easy to customize and makes a delightful meal for any occasion.

Grilled Shrimp Bowl with Avocado, Corn Salsa & Creamy Garlic Sauce
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A wholesome and vibrant bowl featuring grilled shrimp, avocado-corn salsa, and a creamy garlic sauce, all packed with balanced flavors and textures, perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tbsp lemon (or lime) juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 avocado, sliced or mashed
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep shrimp: Toss shrimp with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
- Make corn salsa: Combine corn, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Set aside.
- Grill shrimp: Over medium heat, grill each shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Prepare creamy sauce: Whisk mayo, sour cream, cilantro, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assemble bowls: Spoon corn salsa into bowls, top with shrimp and avocado, drizzle with sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Extra heat can be added with chopped jalapeño or cayenne in the sauce.
- Swap rice or quinoa as a base for a grain bowl version.
- Mix mashed avocado into the creamy sauce for a richer, lighter twist.
- Store shrimp, salsa, and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge.
- Salsa stays fresh about 2 days, sauce 3–4 days, shrimp 2 days.
- Warm the shrimp gently before remixing into bowls to maintain texture.
- For a non-grilled version, cook shrimp in a skillet on medium-high for 2–3 minutes per side to get a nice sear.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 200mg
Leave a Reply