If you’re looking for a refreshingly tasty dish that screams summer in every bite, then you’re in for a treat with this Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad Recipe. I absolutely love this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and savory—all wrapped up in a light, colorful salad you can whip up in no time. Whether you’re hosting a casual backyard hangout or just craving something fresh and healthy, this salad will have you coming back for seconds (trust me, my family absolutely goes crazy for it!). So let me walk you through everything you need to know to nail this vibrant summer favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh, Vibrant Flavors: The sweetness of mango and creaminess of avocado perfectly balance the juicy prawns and zesty lime dressing.
- Quick and Easy: I love how you can toss this together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu guests.
- Versatile Meal or Side: This is hearty enough to serve on its own or as a bright side to your barbecue spread.
- Healthy and Satisfying: Loaded with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, it’s a guilt-free indulgence you’ll feel great about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this prawn mango avocado summer salad recipe plays an important role—bringing a fresh textural or flavor contrast to the bowl. When selecting produce, choose ripe mangoes and avocados for creamy sweetness and plump, fresh prawns for that subtle briny punch.
- Cooked risoni/orzo: I like risoni because it holds dressing well and adds a lovely bite, but rice or quinoa works beautifully too.
- Cooked peeled prawns/shrimp: Using cooked prawns is a time-saver; just ensure they’re fresh and firm.
- Large mango: Look for bright color and a slight give when squeezed—this means it’s ripe and juicy.
- Ripe avocado: Choose avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure for the creamiest texture.
- Rocket/arugula: Adds peppery notes and freshness—feel free to substitute baby spinach for a milder taste.
- Cherry tomatoes: Go for firm, glossy tomatoes that burst with flavor.
- Red onion: Use thin slices to keep the onion sharp but not overpowering.
- Coriander/cilantro leaves: Finely chopped, cilantro brightens the entire salad with an herbaceous lift.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Use a good quality oil to complement the fresh ingredients.
- Fresh lime juice: Freshly squeezed is key—it gives you that crisp zing you’ll crave.
- Garlic clove: Minced finely so the flavor spreads evenly without biting.
- Salt and black pepper: Season modestly; you can always add more after tasting.
Variations
I love to mix things up with this prawn mango avocado summer salad recipe depending on what’s in season or my mood. The key is to keep it fresh and balanced, but feel free to make it your own!
- Add Crunch: Toss in toasted nuts like cashews or almonds for an extra satisfying texture—I did it once and my guests asked for the recipe immediately!
- Spicy Kick: If you enjoy spice, add finely chopped chili or a dash of chili flakes to the dressing for some warmth.
- Swap Greens: Try baby kale or mixed salad greens if you want a more substantial leafy base.
- Vegetarian Version: Replace prawns with grilled halloumi or marinated tofu for a plant-based twist.
How to Make Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad Recipe
Step 1: Shake Up Your Dressing
This is where the magic begins! Combine extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small jar. Give it a vigorous shake until everything’s well mixed and fragrant. I find shaking the dressing in a jar helps emulsify the oil and lime juice, so every bite gets that perfect tangy touch.
Step 2: Prep the Prawns and Produce
Chop the cooked peeled prawns into roughly 1.75 to 2 cm (about 2/3 inch) chunks. This helps distribute them evenly through the salad so you get a little protein in every forkful. Next, dice your mango and avocado into similar-sized pieces—about 1.5 cm or ½ inch cubes work beautifully to keep the texture consistent.
Step 3: Toss Together the Salad
In a large bowl, place your cooked risoni (or chosen grain), chopped prawns, mango, avocado, rocket, cherry tomatoes, finely sliced red onion, and chopped coriander. Pour over the dressing, and gently toss everything together using a rubber spatula. Be gentle here—especially around the avocado—because you want to coat everything with the dressing without turning it into a mush. Taste, then add more lime juice if you want extra zing. Serve immediately; this salad just doesn’t wait!
Pro Tips for Making Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad Recipe
- Perfect Risoni Cooking: Cook your risoni just al dente to avoid mushiness when tossed with the juicy mango and dressing.
- Avocado Handling: To keep avocado from browning, toss it with a little lime juice separately before adding to the salad.
- Fresh Prawn Tip: If using frozen prawns, thaw them thoroughly and pat dry to keep the salad crisp.
- Adjusting Flavors: Never hesitate to tweak the lime juice and salt to suit your palate; fresh dishes shine when personalized.
How to Serve Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle freshly chopped coriander leaves and a few extra rocket leaves on top for a pop of color and brightness. Sometimes I add a few toasted pumpkin seeds for subtle crunch—it’s a little extra magic that elevates the whole dish.
Side Dishes
This summer salad pairs beautifully with grilled seafood or chicken, crusty garlic bread, or simply alongside a chilled glass of white wine for an easy, elegant meal. I love serving it at summer picnics because it’s filling yet light.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve this salad in hollowed-out mango halves—it looks stunning and doubles as a natural bowl! Another fun idea is layering it in clear glass jars for a vibrant salad parfait that’s colorful and travel-friendly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (not that it often happens), store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. I recommend keeping the avocado and dressing separate if you plan to store it longer to prevent browning and sogginess.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this salad because the fresh avocado and cooked prawns don’t freeze well—they lose their texture and freshness. Instead, aim to enjoy it fresh or within a day or two refrigerated.
Reheating
This salad is best served cold or at room temperature. If your grains have cooled in the fridge and feel a bit firm, you can warm just the risoni slightly and toss it back with the fresh ingredients and dressing. Just avoid microwaving the whole salad as the avocado and prawns turn tough.
FAQs
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Can I use raw prawns for this recipe?
To keep the salad simple and quick, I recommend using cooked prawns already peeled and deveined. However, if you prefer fresh, you can quickly sauté raw prawns with a bit of olive oil, garlic, and salt until pink and cooked through before adding them to the salad.
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Can I make this salad vegan?
Absolutely! Replace the prawns with grilled or roasted tofu, chickpeas, or even marinated mushrooms to keep the salad hearty and protein-packed while maintaining those fresh summer flavors.
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What can I substitute for lime juice?
If you don’t have lime juice on hand, freshly squeezed lemon juice is a great substitute that provides similar acidity and brightness to the dressing.
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How can I prevent avocado from browning in the salad?
Coat your avocado pieces lightly with lime juice right after dicing; this slows oxidation and keeps it looking fresh and appetizing in your salad.
Final Thoughts
This prawn mango avocado summer salad recipe has become one of my absolute favorites during the warmer months, and I’m confident you’ll love it too. It’s light yet satisfying, brimming with fresh flavors and textures that feel like a little tropical vacation on your plate. Share this recipe with your friends or family, and watch it become the star of your summer meals. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner!
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Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (4 to 5 people)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A vibrant and refreshing Prawn Mango Avocado Summer Salad featuring cooked risoni, juicy prawns, ripe mango, creamy avocado, and a zesty lime dressing. This healthy and satisfying salad is perfect for a light meal or sharing during warm weather, combining tropical flavors with a crisp, fresh texture.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2.5 cups cooked risoni/orzo or similar
- 300 – 400g / 10 – 12 oz cooked peeled prawns/shrimp (~750g unpeeled whole cooked)
- 1 large mango, cut into 1.5cm / ½” pieces
- 1 large ripe avocado, cut into 1.5cm / ½” pieces
- 75 g / 2.5 oz rocket/arugula, roughly chopped
- 250 g / 8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, finely sliced
- 1/4 cup coriander/cilantro leaves, finely chopped
Dressing
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice, plus more to taste
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a jar or bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Shake or whisk well until fully emulsified and set aside.
- Prepare the Prawns: Chop the cooked peeled prawns into 1.75 – 2 cm (2/3”) pieces to ensure bite-sized portions that blend well with the salad.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, place the cooked risoni/orzo, chopped prawns, diced mango, diced avocado, chopped rocket/arugula, halved cherry tomatoes, finely sliced red onion, and chopped coriander leaves.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared lime dressing over the salad ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently toss everything together to coat all ingredients evenly without mashing the avocado or mango pieces.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the salad and add extra lime juice if desired for more tang. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and textures at their best.
Notes
- Watch the recipe video for helpful tips on chopping mango and avocado perfectly.
- Prawns, mango, and avocado make a magically complementary flavor combination.
- This salad is fresh, healthy, and satisfying enough to serve as a meal or for sharing.
- Try this salad variation using rice, quinoa, risoni/orzo, or pearl couscous for different textures and flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 536 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1085 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 252 mg