Blackened Shrimp is juicy, flavorful and served with a cool, creamy avocado ranch dressing!  It’s a healthy, flavorful shrimp appetizer that’s so easy to make!

Blackened shrimp appetizer with avocado ranch dressing

I enjoy entertaining, and I have a lot of fun coming up with an array of delicious appetizers that please a crowd.

While I love serving hot artichoke dip and jalapeno poppers, it’s important to have some healthier options like a crudités platter full of crunchy veggies to balance things out.

This Blackened Shrimp with Avocado Ranch Dressing is a healthy, crowd pleasing appetizer that I love to serve as well.

The spices in the shrimp pair perfectly with the creamy, herbaceous dressing, creating the perfect bites.

This shrimp appetizer is easy yet elegant, so it’s perfect for holidays, barbecues or any occasion.

Blackened shrimp on a platter with avocado ranch dressing

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Blackened shrimp is pan fried with homemade blackened seasoning and served with a cool, creamy avocado ranch dressing.
  • It’s a healthy, versatile recipe that can be served as an appetizer, salad or main dish. See serving suggestions below for ideas.
  • It comes together with minimal prep and most may be done in advance.
  • It’s gluten-free and may be made dairy-free by using your favorite non-dairy milk in the dressing.

Recipe ingredients

Blackened shrimp avocado ranch dressing recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

  • Shrimp. I prefer wild jumbo shrimp for this recipe. Make sure the shrimp is raw, and it may be fresh or frozen (if frozen, follow thawing instructions on the package). Use peeled, deveined shrimp for a big time saver!
  • Blackened seasoning. I’ve used my homemade blackened seasoning for this recipe, but you can use your favorite store bought seasoning in a pinch. I used 3 tablespoons for 2 lbs. of shrimp, but if you like your blackened shrimp less spicy, start with 2 tablespoons and go from there.
  • Avocado. You’ll need (1) small ripe avocado (or 1/2 a large) for the avocado ranch dressing. The avocado thickens the dressing and eliminates the need for mayo and/or sour cream.
  • Buttermilk. Use full fat or low fat buttermilk for a creamy dressing. To make dairy-free buttermilk, add 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or vinegar to your favorite non-dairy milk, stir and let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Spices. Garlic and onion powder provide great depth of flavor for the dressing.
  • Herbs. Fresh herbs really set the avocado ranch apart. I’ve used a combination of dill, chives and parsley, but you can use your favorite.

How to make blackened shrimp

This blackened shrimp recipe is incredibly easy to make, and most of the prep can be done completely in advance.

Pro tip: Prepare the blackened seasoning up to several days in advance, and purchase peeled, deveined shrimp for a big time saver!

how to make blackened shrimp
  1. Toss the shrimp with the blackened seasoning and salt to taste. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, then place the shrimp in the pan in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes until seared, then flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until cooked through.
  2. Remove from heat and toss the shrimp with fresh lime juice if desired.

How to make avocado ranch dressing

The avocado ranch dressing is the perfect accompaniment to the spicy flavor of the shrimp, and it comes together in minutes.

The avocado thickens the ranch dressing, which eliminates the need for mayo or sour cream and makes this a healthier option. If you love ranch, be sure to try my Greek yogurt ranch dressing as well!

Pro tip:  Prepare the avocado ranch up to a day in advance.

How to make avocado ranch dressing
  1. Place the avocado, lime juice, garlic and onion powder, buttermilk, dill, chives, parsley and salt and pepper to taste in the bowl of a food processor.
  2. Process until smooth, adding additional buttermilk if you’d like a thinner dressing. Adjust the seasoning as necessary.
Blackened shrimp in a pan

FAQs

How long does it take to cook shrimp?

Jumbo shrimp generally takes about 5 minutes to cook. It should be cooked in a single layer in the pan for roughly 2-3 minutes per side.

Cooking time will vary based on the size of the shrimp.

How can I tell when shrimp is done?

Shrimp will be uniformly pink, and the tail is curled to meet the head in a loose “C” shape.

What is avocado ranch dressing made of?

This avocado ranch dressing includes avocado, buttermilk, garlic and onion powder, and fresh dill, chives and herbs.

The avocado eliminates the need for mayonnaise or sour cream, making this dressing a healthier alternative.

How do I make avocado ranch dairy-free?

This avocado ranch dressing may be made dairy-free by using dairy-free buttermilk.

Simply combine 1/2 cup of your favorite non-dairy milk with 1/2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or vinegar such as white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Let stand 10 minutes.

Blackened shrimp on a platter with dip

Serving suggestions

This blackened shrimp makes a great shrimp appetizer, but there are so many other ways to serve it up!

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip:  Prep the blackened seasoning and avocado ranch dressing up to a day ahead.  Purchase peeled and deveined shrimp to save time!
  • I highly recommend using my homemade blackened seasoning so you can control the level of spiciness, or you can use your favorite store bought brand.
  • To make dairy-free buttermilk, add 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or vinegar to your favorite non-dairy milk, stir and let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Leftover blackened shrimp and avocado ranch dressing will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Blackened shrimp dunked in avocado ranch

More shrimp recipes you’ll love:

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Blackened shrimp appetizer with avocado ranch dressing

Blackened Shrimp with Avocado Ranch Dressing

Blackened Shrimp is juicy, flavorful and served with a cool, creamy homemade avocado ranch dressing. It's an easy shrimp appetizer that's perfect for any gathering!
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Ingredients

For the avocado ranch dressing:

  • 1 small avocado
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice sub with lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the blackened shrimp:

  • 2 lbs. raw jumbo shrimp fresh or frozen; if frozen thaw according to package instructions
  • 2-3 tablespoons blackened seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice plus more for serving (optional)

Instructions 

Prepare the avocado ranch dip:

  • Place the avocado, lime juice, onion powder, garlic powder, buttermilk, parsley, chives and dill in the bowl of a food processor.  Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and process until smooth.  Add additional buttermilk to thin the dressing if desired, and adjust the seasoning as necessary and set aside.

Prepare the blackened shrimp:

  • Toss the thawed shrimp with 2-3 tablespoons of the blackened seasoning and salt to taste until well coated. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, and place the shrimp in the pan in a single layer.  Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes until seared, then flip and cook another 2 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from heat and toss with 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice if desired.
  • Place the shrimp on a serving platter with the avocado ranch dip and additional lime wedges, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Pro tip:  Prep the blackened seasoning and avocado ranch dressing up to a day ahead.  Purchase peeled and deveined shrimp to save time!
  • I highly recommend using my homemade blackened seasoning so you can control the level of spiciness, or you can use your favorite store bought brand.
  • To make dairy-free buttermilk, add 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or vinegar to your favorite non-dairy milk, stir and let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Leftover blackened shrimp and avocado ranch dressing will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 1949mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

**This post was originally published in January 2018. Step by step photos have been added and the text has been modified to include more recipe information and better readability.

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