If you’ve been here for a red hot minute, you know I don’t eat crustaceans (even though three generations on my mum’s side are crayfishermen). Mum loves all things seafood, so this Prawn Cocktail recipe once again comes to you from her kitchen. When her brother visits he always brings my very appreciative mum the…
prawns
Prawns with Mango Avocado Salsa
These Prawns with Mango Avocado Salsa are an easy to to make, entree or starter that’s sure to impress! It’s a light, fresh meal that’s perfect for warmer days. Sweet mango, creamy avocado, and zesty lime come together with juicy prawns, all served in crisp lettuce cups. It’s a super easy, no-fuss dish that’s bursting with delicious flavours and ideal for a quick lunch or a casual dinner. Perfect for our Christmas in Australia.
I come from Western Australia and a long line of cray-fisherman…including my grandfather, uncle and cousin. But I have always, absolutely hated crustaceans of any kind which made me the black sheep of the family most family gatherings, when everyone else was enjoying lobster for lunch.
So this recipe is courtesy of my mum and enjoyed by my boys when I photographed it. The vegetarian variation I’ve included is all mine and I’d argue, the haloumi with the salsa is just as delicious 😉
Health benefits
Prawns are a great source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for good health. Avocado adds more healthy fats, and mango provides a dose of vitamin C. The lime juice and fresh coriander boost the dish with antioxidants, making this meal both refreshing and nourishing.
Ingredients
You’ll need cooked prawns, fresh Cos lettuce, and a handful of simple ingredients like mango, avocado, spring onions, and coriander to create the salsa. The lime yoghurt sauce, made with natural yoghurt, lime, and garlic, adds a creamy, tangy touch to this vibrant dish.
How to make Prawns with Mango Avocado Salsa
Start by peeling and cleaning the prawns, then wash the Cos lettuce leaves and set them aside. For the mango salsa, mix diced mango, avocado, spring onions, coriander (cilantro) leaves, and lime juice. In a separate bowl, whisk together the yoghurt, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper for the lime yoghurt sauce. Serve the salsa in lettuce cups, top with prawns, and drizzle with the lime yoghurt for a fresh, delicious meal.
Serving suggestions and how to store
This gluten-free dish is best enjoyed fresh, served immediately once assembled. If you’re looking to switch things up, serve with a side of quinoa or rice for a heartier meal. If you have leftovers, store the prawns and salsa separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to a day. The salsa may brown slightly due to the avocado, but it will still taste great!
Vary this to suit your dietary needs
For a vegetarian twist, swap out the prawns for grilled haloumi or firm tofu. If you’re seafood-free, cooked chicken works wonderfully in this dish. For those avoiding dairy, replace the yoghurt with whole-egg mayonnaise or a cashew cream for a dairy-free option.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements (including vegetarian and dairy-free).
Prawns with Mango Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
- 600 g prawns - cooked
- 1 Cos lettuce
Salsa
- 1 avocado/s - diced
- 1 mango/s - diced
- 4 spring onion/s - white part only, finely sliced
- ½ bunch/s fresh coriander leaves - torn from stems
- 1 lime/s - juice
- 1 pinch sea salt
Lime Yoghurt
- 60 g natural, Greek or coconut yoghurt (¼ cup)
- ½ clove/s garlic
- 1 pinch sea salt
- ground black pepper - to taste
Instructions
- Peel and clean the prawns and wash the cos lettuce leaves.
Salsa
- Combine the mango, avocado, spring onions, coriander leaves and the lime juice (reserving 1 tbsp for the lime yoghurt) in a bowl.
Lime Yoghurt
- Mix the yoghurt, garlic, reserved 1 tbsp lime juice, salt and pepper.
To Serve
- Serve the salsa in lettuce cups topped with the prawns and a drizzle of lime yoghurt. Enjoy immediately.

