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This easy shrimp and grapefruit salad is one of my favorite warm-weather lunches. Sweet-tart grapefruit, tender shrimp, creamy avocado, and mixed greens come together with a simple citrus vinaigrette made from the fresh grapefruit juice, so nothing goes to waste.
Light yet satisfying, it’s the kind of meal that feels a little special but takes just 15 to 20 minutes to prepare. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, an easy summer dinner, or a refreshing first course for guests, this colorful salad fits the bill.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Light, fresh, and naturally gluten-free
- High in protein and healthy fats
- Uses fresh grapefruit juice to make the dressing
- Perfect for lunch or a light dinner
- Beautiful enough for entertaining
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Red grapefruit – Sweet-tart and juicy. Ruby red grapefruit works especially well, but pink or white grapefruit are also delicious.
- Extra-virgin olive oil – Forms the base of the simple citrus dressing.
- Honey – Just enough to balance the grapefruit’s natural bitterness. Maple syrup or your favorite sweetener also works.
- Sea salt & black pepper – Bring all the flavors together.
- Cooked shrimp – Medium cooked shrimp make this recipe incredibly easy. Freshly cooked or thawed frozen shrimp both work well.
- Mixed salad greens – I usually use spring mix, but baby spinach, arugula, butter lettuce, or baby kale are all excellent choices.
- Avocado – Adds creaminess and makes the salad more satisfying.
- Fresh mint – Brightens the entire salad. Fresh basil is another delicious option.
How to Make Shrimp and Grapefruit Salad
Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients – dice the avocado and mince the mint.
Step 2: Peel the grapefruit and cut between the membranes to release the segments, catching any juice in a bowl.
Step 3: Squeeze the remaining juice from the membranes into a small bowl (affiliate link). Whisk in the olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
Step 4: Gently toss the shrimp and grapefruit segments with the dressing.
Step 5: Divide the mixed greens between two serving plates. Top with the shrimp mixture, avocado, and fresh mint.
Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- If using frozen cooked shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry before adding to the salad.
- Pink grapefruit, oranges, or a combination of citrus fruits all work beautifully.
- Add thinly sliced cucumber or radishes for extra crunch.
- Toasted sliced almonds, pistachios, or pepitas make a nice garnish.
- Fresh basil or dill can be substituted for the mint.
Serving Suggestions
Because this salad already includes shrimp, avocado, and fruit, it makes a satisfying light meal on its own.
For a heartier lunch or dinner, serve it with:
- A slice of crusty whole grain bread or sourdough
- Warm whole grain rolls
- A cup of chilled gazpacho
- Fresh fruit for dessert
Make Ahead & Storage
You can prepare the grapefruit, dressing, and shrimp several hours ahead and refrigerate separately.
For the freshest salad, wait to add the avocado and toss everything together just before serving.
How Many Calories and WW Points?
According to my calculations, each salad has 270 calories and 3 WW Points.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
7 PointsPlus (Old plan)
If you’ve made this low calorie Shrimp and Grapefruit Mixed Greens Salad, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Shrimp, Grapefruit & Avocado Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 red grapefruit
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil (affiliate link)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces cooked, peeled and deveined medium shrimp
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 small ripe avocado, diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, minced
Instructions
- Cut peel and white pith from grapefruit. Over a large bowl, cut between grapefruit membranes to release each segment.
- Squeeze any remaining grapefruit juice from membranes, or peel, into a small bowl (affiliate link). Stir in oil, honey, salt and pepper.
- Add shrimp to bowl with grapefruit segments and gently toss with dressing.
- Divide mixed greens between two plates and top with shrimp and avocado.
- Garnish each salad with half the avocado and mint.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 7 PointsPlus (Old plan) If using pre-cooked frozen shrimp, you’ll want to thaw them before assembling this salad. To thaw frozen shrimp, you can place them in the refrigerator the night before using, or place the frozen shrimp in a small colander and run cold water over them until thawed – which should take about 10 – 15 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: 5 Easy Steps to Healthy Cooking: 500 Recipes for Lifelong Wellness (affiliate link) by Camilla V. Saulsbury
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned grapefruit?
Fresh grapefruit gives the best flavor and provides the juice for the dressing, but well-drained canned grapefruit segments can work in a pinch.
Can I substitute another protein?
Yes. Cooked salmon, crab, or rotisserie chicken would all pair well with the grapefruit and avocado.
What greens work best?
Spring mix, butter lettuce, baby spinach, arugula, or baby kale all make excellent choices.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Prep the ingredients ahead, but assemble the salad just before serving for the best texture.
More Light & Healthy Salads You’ll Love
- Tuna Niçoise Salad for Two – A French-inspired main dish salad with tuna, potatoes, green beans, eggs, and olives.
- Crab and Papaya Salad – Sweet papaya and tender crab make an elegant, refreshing warm-weather meal.
- Easy Edamame Chicken Salad – Protein-packed with crunchy cabbage and a light wasabi vinaigrette.
- Caprese Salad with Fresh Peaches – Fresh peaches, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with a simple balsamic drizzle.
I used feta in place of the shrimp. Excellent.