Home Mains Citrus Grilled Shrimp and Leeks Salad
A vibrant Citrus Shrimp and Grilled Leeks Salad featuring smoky grilled shrimp, tender leeks, fresh watercress, creamy avocado slices, and juicy orange segments, all tossed in a citrus vinaigrette and garnished with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds.
50 minutes Easy

Citrus Grilled Shrimp and Leeks Salad

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Citrus Grilled Shrimp and Leeks Salad offers a colorful and refreshing meal that merges distinctive flavors and textures for a light but fulfilling dish. This salad not only looks beautiful but is also rich in nutrients, making it a nutritious choice for any menu. It features fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple cooking methods that enhance your dining experience.

Marinated with extra virgin olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, the shrimp take center stage in this dish. This combination gives the shrimp a subtle smoky flavor that enhances their natural sweetness. Grilling them ensures they are perfectly cooked, yielding a slight char that adds depth and character to the dish.

The shrimp are served alongside grilled leeks, which offer a unique sweetness intensified by grilling. The leeks are halved, coated with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper, and grilled until charred and tender. After they cool slightly, they are chopped into smaller pieces for easier integration into the salad.

Watercress creates a refreshing contrast to the rich, smoky notes of the grilled shrimp and leeks. Diced avocado adds a creamy element that perfectly balances the dish, while orange segments offer a splash of citrusy sweetness. Together, these ingredients enrich the flavor profile and boost the salad’s nutritional value, transforming it into a powerhouse of vitamins and antioxidants, making it a guilt-free treat.

The salad is topped with a citrus vinaigrette, a vibrant and tangy dressing that unifies all the components. This vinaigrette blends extra virgin olive oil with fresh orange, lemon, and lime juices, honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. This mix strikes an ideal balance of acidity and sweetness, boosting the natural flavors of the ingredients without overshadowing them. The dressing is poured over the salad right before serving, guaranteeing that each bite is enveloped in this tasty dressing.

Garnishes play an essential role in finalizing this salad. Fresh cilantro leaves are scattered atop, delivering a refreshing herbal note that enhances the surrounding flavors. Meanwhile, toasted sesame seeds contribute a nutty crunch, improving the texture and introducing an additional layer of flavor complexity.


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This Citrus Grilled Shrimp and Leeks Salad showcases the charm of fresh, simple ingredients and easy cooking methods. It’s ideal for a summer lunch or dinner, delivering a wonderful blend of both satisfying and refreshing flavors. Featuring grilled shrimp, tender leeks, fresh watercress, creamy avocado, and sweet orange segments, all combined with a zesty citrus vinaigrette, this salad truly shines. Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a peaceful meal at home, this salad is sure to impress and delight.

Citrus Grilled Shrimp and Leeks Salad

Recipe by Kyle Taylor
5.0 from 1 vote
Course: MainsCuisine: FusionDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Total time

50

minutes

Citrus Grilled Shrimp and Leeks Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish featuring smoky grilled shrimp, tender grilled leeks, crisp watercress, creamy avocado, and sweet orange segments, all tossed in a zesty citrus vinaigrette and garnished with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds.

Ingredients

  • For the Shrimp
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

  • to taste, salt and ground black pepper

  • For the Salad
  • 3 large leeks, cleaned and halved

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 4 cups watercess

  • 1 medium avocado, diced

  • 2 large oranges, segmented

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, loosely packed

  • For the Citrus Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 clove of garlic, minced

  • to taste, salt and ground black pepper

Directions

  • Make the Citrus Vinaigrette:
    Whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside until ready for use.
  • Prepare the Shrimp:
    Toss the shrimp with extra virgin olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder until evenly coated. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until they are pink and opaque. Remove from the grill and set aside.
  • Prepare the Grilled Leeks:
    Clean the leeks of any residual dirt. Toss them with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill the leeks for 4-5 minutes per side until they are tender and have pronounced grill marks. Remove from the grill and let cool slightly. Chop the grilled leeks into smaller pieces.
  • Assemble the Salad:
    Toss together the watercress, grilled leeks, diced avocado, and orange segments.
  • Plate and Serve:
    Arrange the tossed salad on serving plates. Top with the grilled shrimp. Drizzle with the citrus vinaigrette. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Cleaning Leeks: Make sure to clean the leeks thoroughly, as dirt and grit can get trapped between the layers.
  • Toasting Sesame Seeds: Place a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat, add the sesame seeds in an even layer, and stir frequently for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and fragrant, then transfer to a plate to cool immediately.

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