This salad is a perfect harmony of tropical freshness and savory seafood, offering vibrant colors from the red chili, fresh herbs, and avocado. The toasted coconut adds a delightful crunch, complementing the creamy texture of the dressing and prawns. The lime and coconut cream dressing brings a bright and luscious balance, making this dish as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Ideal for warm weather or when you crave a light yet satisfying meal, this prawn salad is incredibly easy to prepare and highly customizable. Whether served as a lunch, dinner, or appetizer, it transports you to island bliss with every bite — a true celebration of fresh, healthy ingredients.
Full Recipe:
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400g (14 oz) cooked prawns, peeled and deveined
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1/2 cup shredded coconut, toasted
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1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
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1 avocado, diced
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1 red chili, thinly sliced
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1 small red onion, thinly sliced
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1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves
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1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
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1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped (optional)
For the Coconut Lime Dressing:
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1/4 cup coconut cream
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Juice and zest of 1 lime
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1 tablespoon fish sauce
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1 tablespoon honey
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1 clove garlic, minced
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Toast the shredded coconut in a dry pan over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
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In a bowl, whisk together the coconut cream, lime juice and zest, fish sauce, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the dressing. Adjust seasoning as needed.
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In a large salad bowl, combine the prawns, cucumber slices, diced avocado, red chili, red onion, cherry tomatoes, coriander, and mint leaves.
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Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
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Sprinkle the toasted coconut and chopped roasted peanuts on top just before serving for added crunch and texture.
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Serve immediately or chill for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: Approximately 320 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings
Introduction to Island Bliss Prawn Salad
The Island Bliss Prawn Salad with Coconut Lime Dressing is a vibrant, refreshing dish that captures the essence of tropical flavors in every bite. It’s a celebration of fresh ingredients, blending succulent prawns with zesty lime, creamy coconut, and a medley of herbs and vegetables that awaken the senses. This salad is perfect for anyone craving a light yet satisfying meal that transports you straight to a sunny beachside paradise. Whether served as a lunch, a starter, or a light dinner, it’s easy to prepare and packed with nutrients, making it ideal for health-conscious food lovers.
The Flavor Profile
What makes this prawn salad truly special is the harmonious balance between tangy, creamy, and crunchy elements. The coconut lime dressing is the star—its creamy texture from coconut cream combines beautifully with the sharp citrus brightness of fresh lime juice and zest. The fish sauce and honey add subtle umami depth and a hint of sweetness, ensuring the dressing is layered with complex flavor notes. This dressing elevates the sweetness of the prawns while complementing the freshness of the herbs, cucumber, and avocado.
The toasted shredded coconut adds an unexpected crunch and a delicate nutty flavor that contrasts with the soft avocado and juicy prawns. Meanwhile, the red chili adds a gentle heat that lingers on the palate, giving the salad a refreshing kick without overpowering the other ingredients.
Nutritional Benefits
This salad is not only delicious but also nutritionally balanced. Prawns are an excellent source of lean protein and are low in calories, making them perfect for those who want to maintain a healthy diet. They also provide key nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health and brain function.
Avocado adds a creamy texture and healthy monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health and help in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins. The fresh herbs like coriander and mint are rich in antioxidants and add a fresh burst of flavor while aiding digestion.
Cucumber is hydrating and low in calories, providing fiber and essential vitamins, making the salad light but filling. The combination of these ingredients creates a nutrient-dense meal that supports overall wellness.
Versatility and Serving Suggestions
One of the best things about this salad is its versatility. It can be served as a main dish for a light lunch or dinner, or as a refreshing starter for a more elaborate meal. It pairs beautifully with other tropical-inspired dishes, such as grilled fish, coconut rice, or a simple quinoa salad.
You can also customize the recipe to suit your dietary needs or preferences. For a vegan or vegetarian option, substitute prawns with grilled tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas and adjust the fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari. To add extra crunch or texture, sprinkle toasted nuts or seeds of your choice. If you prefer a milder salad, reduce or omit the chili, or for more heat, add extra fresh chili or a dash of chili flakes.
This salad is perfect for outdoor gatherings, picnics, or summer barbecues, offering a light and refreshing alternative to heavier dishes. It’s also a great make-ahead option, as the dressing can be prepared in advance, and the salad tossed just before serving.
Cultural Influences
The Island Bliss Prawn Salad is inspired by Southeast Asian and tropical island cuisines, where the use of fresh herbs, citrus, coconut, and seafood is prevalent. The combination of ingredients reflects the bold, fresh, and vibrant flavors typical of Thai, Vietnamese, and Caribbean cooking. These culinary traditions emphasize balance—between sweet and sour, creamy and crunchy, and mild and spicy—making this salad an excellent example of such harmony.
Coconut cream, lime, fish sauce, and fresh herbs are staples in many coastal cuisines, prized for their ability to enhance simple ingredients like seafood and fresh vegetables without masking their natural flavors. The use of toasted coconut adds an island-inspired touch that brings warmth and a slight nuttiness, rounding out the salad’s tropical appeal.
Tips for the Best Salad
To make this salad truly stand out, use the freshest prawns available, preferably wild-caught or sustainably sourced. If using frozen prawns, thaw them properly and pat dry to avoid excess moisture diluting the flavors of the dressing.
Toast the shredded coconut carefully, keeping an eye on it to avoid burning, as the nutty aroma and crunchy texture are essential to the salad’s character. Use fresh lime juice and zest to brighten the dressing—bottled lime juice won’t deliver the same vibrant flavor.
When slicing the cucumber and red onion, thin, even slices ensure a pleasing texture and balance of flavors in each bite. Fresh herbs should be roughly chopped to release their aroma but not too fine to avoid wilting. Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain the crispness of the vegetables and herbs.
Why This Salad is Perfect for Health-Conscious Eaters
In today’s world, many are looking for meals that are both nutritious and satisfying. This prawn salad checks all those boxes. It’s low in carbs, gluten-free, and packed with high-quality protein and healthy fats, making it suitable for a variety of dietary plans including paleo, keto (with minor tweaks), and whole foods-based eating.
It’s a great way to incorporate more seafood and fresh vegetables into your diet without resorting to heavy sauces or fried preparations. The balance of macronutrients helps maintain energy levels and supports weight management, while the bright, fresh ingredients keep your palate excited and satisfied.
Conclusion
The Island Bliss Prawn Salad with Coconut Lime Dressing is more than just a salad—it’s an experience that transports you to the tropics through its vibrant colors, bold flavors, and refreshing textures. It’s a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create a dish that is both delicious and nourishing.
Perfect for warm days, light meals, or entertaining guests, this salad embodies the ease and elegance of tropical cooking. Its adaptability means it can be enjoyed year-round, whether as a quick solo lunch or a beautiful starter at a dinner party. By embracing the natural flavors of prawns, coconut, lime, and fresh herbs, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe time and again whenever you crave a taste of island bliss.