Shrimp and Avocado Toast Built on a Budget Without Sacrificing Taste
Shrimp and avocado toast sounds expensive, but frozen shrimp and day-old bread make it surprisingly affordable. You’ll get all the creamy, savory flavors of the trendy appetizer without the restaurant price tag.
The key is buying frozen shrimp in bulk and using simple seasonings that pack real flavor.
Why Frozen Shrimp Works Better Than Fresh for Your Budget
Frozen shrimp costs about half the price of fresh and often tastes better since it’s flash-frozen right after harvest. Look for bags labeled "previously frozen" at the seafood counter – that’s just thawed frozen shrimp at a markup.
Buy the 31-40 count size for the best value. They’re large enough to feel substantial on toast but won’t break your budget like jumbo shrimp. Skip pre-seasoned varieties and season them yourself for better flavor control.
Must-Have Items
Getting Creamy Avocado Without Waste
Buy avocados at different ripeness stages so you’ll always have one ready. Ripe avocados give slightly when pressed but don’t feel mushy.
If your avocado isn’t quite ready, mash it with a fork and add a squeeze of lemon juice. The acid helps break down the texture and prevents browning. Don’t worry about it being perfectly smooth – a little texture actually works better on toast.
Shrimp and Avocado Toast Built on a Budget Without Sacrificing Taste
Ingredients
Equipment Needed
- Large skillet
- Toaster or toaster oven
- Medium mixing bowl
- Fork for mashing
Instructions
- Season shrimp: Pat thawed shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season with paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss to coat evenly.
- Cook shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes without moving them. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until shrimp are pink, opaque, and slightly golden on both sides.
- Add garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet with shrimp and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
- Toast and prep: While shrimp cooks, toast bread slices until golden brown and crispy. Cut avocados in half, remove pits, and scoop flesh into a bowl.
- Make avocado spread: Mash avocados with half the lemon juice and a pinch of salt until creamy but still slightly chunky. Spread avocado mixture evenly on toast slices.
- Assemble toast: Top each toast with cooked shrimp, drizzle with remaining lemon juice, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while toast is still crispy.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (1 toast slice)
