Asparagus Salad with Shrimp and Grapefruit
Spring is here, and even though I’m in South Florida, I feel the change. Not so much in the temperature (we only turned on the heat for a few days this winter), but from what I see around me in the tropical flowers and fruits. Our mango and starfruit trees are full of miniature-sized versions of fruit that will ripen in the summer. The air is warm, but not unbearably humid like South Florida summers can be. The produce isles at the grocery store are stocked with spring favorites: asparagus, radishes and Brussels sprouts.
It’s funny how infectious the excitement for spring can be. I see it in my Facebook feed; all of the northern folks clamoring for some sunny rays after yet another snowstorm. In tribute to spring, I created this asparagus salad with shrimp and grapefruit with citrus vinaigrette. It’s fresh and light, with the perfect balance of subtle sweetness, acid and crunch.
I’m not sure what I love more about this salad. Is it the taste or the beautiful mix of colors on the plate? Pink grapefruit, red-rimmed radishes, purple baby lettuce, bright green asparagus and pink Key West shrimp vie for attention both in appearance and texture. Enjoy it with a cold glass of homebrewed iced tea for the perfect lunch to celebrate spring with friends or loved ones.
I have to give a special mention to the shrimp I used in this recipe. They hail from my hometown, Key West. It’s hard to find Key West pink shrimp—even in Miami. These wild shrimp are sweet and tender and usually more abundant in winter months. If you see them in the store or on a restaurant menu, be sure to try them out.
I hope you enjoy this recipe for asparagus salad with shrimp and grapefruit as much as we did! Happy spring from Love and Duck Fat!
More refreshing salads:
Asparagus Salad with Shrimp and Grapefruit
Asparagus Salad with Shrimp and Grapefruit
Note: recipe calls for 6 shrimp per serving (photo shows 3).
Ingredients
- 12 Jumbo or XL shrimp, peeled with tails intact, deveined.
- Baby spring salad mix (I use Organic Girl Baby Spring Mix)
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 medium radishes, thinly sliced
- 12 stalks asparagus (select thin stalks), trimmed
- 1 pink grapefruit
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
Place the shrimp on a paper towel to dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over high heat, and add the butter and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the pan. When the butter foams; add the shrimp to the pan. Sear the shrimp on one side for 1-2 minutes, and then flip to the other side for another 1-2 minutes, until they begin to curl and the centers become opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside to cool.
Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Set aside a bowl of ice water. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the water and immediately plunge into the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
Carefully remove the outer skin from the grapefruit with a knife. Cut out the grapefruit segments by cutting in-between the membranes. Once the segments are removed, set them aside. Squeeze the juice from the outer skin and the remaining membrane into a bowl. You should have about 4 tablespoons of grapefruit juice.
Add about ½ teaspoon of salt and fresh pepper to the grapefruit juice. Whisk in remaining olive oil. Taste for seasoning.
Arrange the salad mix, radishes, sliced onion, grapefruit segments and asparagus on a plate. Top with the shrimp. Spoon the citrus vinaigrette on top.
https://loveandduckfat.com/asparagus-salad-shrimp-grapefruit/
How cute that you said you only turned on the heat a few times this winter. Ours has been on since October and probably won’t go off until the end of April (if we are lucky).
OH my goodness, that looks so amazing! I love asparagus and shrimp! Never tried them together though. I need to try this!
What a lovely, colorful plate! My hubby would really enjoy that dish!
I’m one of those clambering for spring! We’ve had storm after storm – even a few flakes this morning! This salad looks amazing and I am going to make it soon. I love grapefruit, but never thought to combine it with shrimp!
This looks amazing!! Its almost asparagus season here and once I can pick my own fresh asparagus I am going to make this! Thanks so much for sharing!
Aldi had asparagus on sale this week, and I was wondering what to do with it! This recipe came at a perfect time!
Ok I admit it I do not like Shrimp but hubby and son would flip for this.
Oh yum those shrimp look delicious – I have to admit I’ll give anything a try with that in 🙂 x
Looks very green and healthy. I like the addition of the grapefruit.
This made me starving – looks good and really healthy yummy too!
That looks so good! Yumm, I may make this. Going to pin it, thanks for sharing
That sounds so good, I love all the ingredients and yet never though to put them together. I bought all of those but the grapefruit tonight, I can grab that tomorrow and give this a try.
This looks pretty delicious and very healthy. I am not a big shrimp eater but do like it once and awhile. The grapefruit juice makes it interesting.
Sounds delicious! Pinning!
– Brooke –
This salad looks almost too good to eat, but it also teases your taste buds. I enjoy a great salad
I bet that grapefruit gives it just the right amount of citrus zing! Thank you for sharing.
That looks delicious. But hearing about how often you turned on your heat this winter sounds even more appealing, I have to admit. I want to move!
Interesting combination of foods. I’m not a fan of grapefruit though.
The good thing about this salad is that I liked everything in it liked the shrimps (my favorite), asparagus and grape fruit. I will surely try this.
I am not a fan of grapefruit but I love shrimps. That is a very healthy dish to eat!
Oh my goodness, this looks so good. I love shrimp, asparagus, and grapefruit!!!
My hubby would LOVE this. He Loves Asparagus and Shrimp. Maybe I’ll make it for him someday
This sounds soooo good! I am always looking for new salad ideas this time of year. Thank you!!
This is such a gorgeous salad! I’m visiting from The Pin Junkie and so glad to have found your blog.
Beautiful photography and all my fav ingredients. Fabulous!