Looking for a quick and tasty appetizer? My Simple Shrimp and Guacamole Appetizers are here to impress! These bite-sized treats combine flavorful shrimp and creamy guacamole, perfect for any gathering. With just a few easy steps and simple ingredients, you’ll have a crowd-pleaser that delights every palate. Let’s dive into the tasty details and get you ready to impress your guests!
Ingredients
Complete List of Ingredients
– 1 pound small shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1 avocado, ripe
– 1 lime, juiced
– 1 small red onion, finely diced
– 1 small jalapeño, minced (optional)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 12 mini tortilla chips or cucumber slices for serving
– Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making these shrimp and guacamole appetizers shine. Start with fresh, small shrimp. They cook quickly and taste great. Then, grab some olive oil to help with cooking. Garlic powder and paprika add a nice kick.
Next, pick a ripe avocado. It should feel soft but not mushy. A lime gives a fresh zing. A small red onion adds crunch and sweetness. If you like a bit of heat, include a jalapeño, but it’s okay to skip it. Don’t forget salt and pepper for seasoning.
For serving, you can use mini tortilla chips or crunchy cucumber slices. They provide a great base for the shrimp and guacamole. Finally, fresh cilantro adds a bright touch.
Finding the best ingredients makes this dish tasty and fun. You can find the full recipe [here](#).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cooking the Shrimp
To make the shrimp, heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add one pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. Sprinkle one teaspoon of garlic powder, one teaspoon of paprika, and salt and pepper to taste over the shrimp. Cook them for about two to three minutes on each side. You want them to turn pink and opaque. When they are done, take them off the heat and set them aside.
Preparing the Guacamole
Next, we need to prepare the guacamole. Take one ripe avocado and place it in a bowl. Use a fork to mash it until it’s creamy. Add the juice of one lime, one small finely diced red onion, and one minced jalapeño if you like some heat. Season with salt and pepper. Mix everything well until it’s smooth and tasty.
Assembling the Appetizers
Now it’s time to put everything together. On each mini tortilla chip or cucumber slice, place a generous dollop of guacamole. Then, top each piece with a cooked shrimp. For a pretty finish, sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the top.
For serving, arrange the appetizers on a nice platter. You can add lime wedges on the side for a pop of color and a hint of freshness. This step makes your dish look even more inviting!
Find the full recipe [here].
Tips & Tricks
Perfecting Shrimp Cooking
To cook shrimp well, you must avoid overcooking. Overcooked shrimp turn tough and rubbery. Cook shrimp for just 2-3 minutes on each side. Watch for their color change to pink and opaque. This is your cue to remove them from heat. You can enhance flavors by adding spices like garlic powder and paprika, as listed in the Full Recipe.
Guacamole Consistency
For smooth guacamole, start with a ripe avocado. Mash it with a fork until creamy. Mix in lime juice, diced red onion, and jalapeño if you like spice. This mix gives your guacamole a fresh taste. To prevent browning, squeeze extra lime juice on top. Cover the guacamole tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it to remove air.
Plating & Serving Suggestions
When plating, arrange your shrimp and guacamole on a colorful platter. Use mini tortilla chips or cucumber slices as a base. For visual appeal, sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. You can serve these with lime wedges for added freshness. For beverages, pair with a light beer or a crisp white wine. This will accentuate the flavors of your shrimp and guacamole bites.
Variations
Ingredient Substitutions
You can switch shrimp for other proteins. Chicken or crab works well too. You can also use tofu for a vegetarian option. For toppings, try diced mango or pineapple. These fruits add a sweet twist to your guacamole.
Guacamole can change too. Add diced tomatoes for a fresh taste. You might enjoy adding garlic or cumin for a unique flavor. If you love spice, mix in some hot sauce or diced chili peppers.
Dietary Modifications
This recipe is gluten-free. Just make sure your tortilla chips are gluten-free too. For a vegan dish, skip the shrimp. Use chickpeas or black beans instead. They add protein and stay creamy with guacamole.
Serving Style Changes
You can serve these as bite-sized snacks. Arrange them on a platter for sharing. This style makes it easy for guests to grab one. You can also use cucumber slices instead of chips. It gives a fresh crunch and is low in carbs.
For a fun twist, use small pieces of bread as a base. This adds a different texture and flavor. No matter how you serve these shrimp and guacamole bites, they will impress your guests. Check the Full Recipe to create your version today!
Storage Info
Best Practices for Leftovers
To store shrimp and guacamole, keep them in separate airtight containers. This way, the guacamole stays fresh. Use a layer of plastic wrap over the guacamole to reduce air exposure. For shrimp, let them cool before sealing. To reheat shrimp without losing flavor, warm them in a pan over low heat. This keeps them juicy and tasty.
Guacamole Freshness Tips
To keep guacamole green, add lime juice right after making it. The acid helps slow browning. You can also press plastic wrap onto the guacamole’s surface before sealing. For storing in the fridge, use it within two days for the best taste. If you choose to freeze it, use a freezer-safe container. Guacamole can last up to three months in the freezer, but the texture may change.
Shelf Life of Prepared Appetizers
I recommend eating these appetizers within 24 hours for the best flavor. If you store them properly, shrimp can last up to three days in the fridge. Look for signs of spoilage like a sour smell or slimy texture. If you see these signs, it’s best to throw it away. Enjoy your shrimp and guacamole bites fresh for a delightful experience!
FAQs
What is the best type of shrimp to use?
For this recipe, I recommend using small shrimp. They cook quickly and fit well on chips. Look for shrimp that are peeled and deveined for ease. You can also use medium shrimp if you prefer a bigger bite. Just cook them a bit longer. Sautéing works best, but grilling adds a nice smoky flavor.
How can I make this recipe ahead of time?
To prep ahead, cook the shrimp and make the guacamole in advance. Store the shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. For the guacamole, press plastic wrap directly against the surface to avoid browning. This way, both components stay fresh. Assemble the appetizers right before serving for the best taste and texture.
Can I serve these at room temperature?
Yes, you can serve these appetizers at room temperature. However, they taste best when they are fresh. If you make them ahead, chill them in the fridge and take them out 15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to pop. Just avoid leaving them out too long to ensure safety and taste.
This blog post shared an easy shrimp and guacamole recipe. We discussed key ingredients, steps for cooking, and tips for perfecting your dish. You learned about adjustments for dietary needs and how to store leftovers.
Keep these ideas in mind for your next gathering. Enjoy your tasty, fresh appetizers while impressing your friends and family. Happy cooking!
. To make the shrimp, heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add one pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. Sprinkle one teaspoon of garlic powder, one teaspoon of paprika, and salt and pepper to taste over the shrimp. Cook them for about two to three minutes on each side. You want them to turn pink and opaque. When they are done, take them off the heat and set them aside. Next, we need to prepare the guacamole. Take one ripe avocado and place it in a bowl. Use a fork to mash it until it’s creamy. Add the juice of one lime, one small finely diced red onion, and one minced jalapeño if you like some heat. Season with salt and pepper. Mix everything well until it’s smooth and tasty. Now it’s time to put everything together. On each mini tortilla chip or cucumber slice, place a generous dollop of guacamole. Then, top each piece with a cooked shrimp. For a pretty finish, sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the top. For serving, arrange the appetizers on a nice platter. You can add lime wedges on the side for a pop of color and a hint of freshness. This step makes your dish look even more inviting! Find the full recipe [here]. To cook shrimp well, you must avoid overcooking. Overcooked shrimp turn tough and rubbery. Cook shrimp for just 2-3 minutes on each side. Watch for their color change to pink and opaque. This is your cue to remove them from heat. You can enhance flavors by adding spices like garlic powder and paprika, as listed in the Full Recipe. For smooth guacamole, start with a ripe avocado. Mash it with a fork until creamy. Mix in lime juice, diced red onion, and jalapeño if you like spice. This mix gives your guacamole a fresh taste. To prevent browning, squeeze extra lime juice on top. Cover the guacamole tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it to remove air. When plating, arrange your shrimp and guacamole on a colorful platter. Use mini tortilla chips or cucumber slices as a base. For visual appeal, sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. You can serve these with lime wedges for added freshness. For beverages, pair with a light beer or a crisp white wine. This will accentuate the flavors of your shrimp and guacamole bites. {{image_2}} You can switch shrimp for other proteins. Chicken or crab works well too. You can also use tofu for a vegetarian option. For toppings, try diced mango or pineapple. These fruits add a sweet twist to your guacamole. Guacamole can change too. Add diced tomatoes for a fresh taste. You might enjoy adding garlic or cumin for a unique flavor. If you love spice, mix in some hot sauce or diced chili peppers. This recipe is gluten-free. Just make sure your tortilla chips are gluten-free too. For a vegan dish, skip the shrimp. Use chickpeas or black beans instead. They add protein and stay creamy with guacamole. You can serve these as bite-sized snacks. Arrange them on a platter for sharing. This style makes it easy for guests to grab one. You can also use cucumber slices instead of chips. It gives a fresh crunch and is low in carbs. For a fun twist, use small pieces of bread as a base. This adds a different texture and flavor. No matter how you serve these shrimp and guacamole bites, they will impress your guests. Check the Full Recipe to create your version today! To store shrimp and guacamole, keep them in separate airtight containers. This way, the guacamole stays fresh. Use a layer of plastic wrap over the guacamole to reduce air exposure. For shrimp, let them cool before sealing. To reheat shrimp without losing flavor, warm them in a pan over low heat. This keeps them juicy and tasty. To keep guacamole green, add lime juice right after making it. The acid helps slow browning. You can also press plastic wrap onto the guacamole's surface before sealing. For storing in the fridge, use it within two days for the best taste. If you choose to freeze it, use a freezer-safe container. Guacamole can last up to three months in the freezer, but the texture may change. I recommend eating these appetizers within 24 hours for the best flavor. If you store them properly, shrimp can last up to three days in the fridge. Look for signs of spoilage like a sour smell or slimy texture. If you see these signs, it’s best to throw it away. Enjoy your shrimp and guacamole bites fresh for a delightful experience! For this recipe, I recommend using small shrimp. They cook quickly and fit well on chips. Look for shrimp that are peeled and deveined for ease. You can also use medium shrimp if you prefer a bigger bite. Just cook them a bit longer. Sautéing works best, but grilling adds a nice smoky flavor. To prep ahead, cook the shrimp and make the guacamole in advance. Store the shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. For the guacamole, press plastic wrap directly against the surface to avoid browning. This way, both components stay fresh. Assemble the appetizers right before serving for the best taste and texture. Yes, you can serve these appetizers at room temperature. However, they taste best when they are fresh. If you make them ahead, chill them in the fridge and take them out 15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to pop. Just avoid leaving them out too long to ensure safety and taste. This blog post shared an easy shrimp and guacamole recipe. We discussed key ingredients, steps for cooking, and tips for perfecting your dish. You learned about adjustments for dietary needs and how to store leftovers. Keep these ideas in mind for your next gathering. Enjoy your tasty, fresh appetizers while impressing your friends and family. Happy cooking!](https://tossedrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/0abfeead-ea77-445b-9c8d-e838ea956971-300x300.webp)