The Best Shrimp Salad Recipe: Fresh, Zesty & Crowd-Pleasing

Crafting a delectable shrimp salad recipe brings joy to summer gatherings and casual meals.

Crisp vegetables complement succulent seafood in this light, refreshing dish.

Mediterranean flavors dance across each colorful ingredient, creating a vibrant culinary experience.

Tender shrimp provide protein-packed goodness while maintaining incredible taste and texture.

Mixed greens add crunch and nutritional balance to every delightful bite.

Quick preparation means you can serve this amazing salad in minutes.

Summer entertaining becomes effortless with such a crowd-pleasing option that feels both elegant and approachable.

Dive into this simple yet sophisticated meal that promises to impress everyone at the table.

Why Best Shrimp Salad Is Refreshingly Delicious

• Boost Flavor Complexity: The dressing and chilling process allow ingredients to develop a rich, layered taste profile that gets better as it sits, making each bite more delicious than the last.
• Simplify Seafood Preparation: Boiling shrimp with lemon creates a tender, perfectly cooked protein that's foolproof for home cooks of all skill levels, removing intimidation from seafood cooking.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: This versatile salad works beautifully as a summer side dish, picnic contribution, or light lunch that impresses guests without requiring complex culinary techniques.
• Quick Health-Conscious Option: Packed with lean protein and crisp vegetables, this recipe delivers a nutritious meal that can be prepared rapidly and stored easily for multiple servings.

Ingredients for Best Shrimp Salad

• Shrimp: Fresh, sweet ocean protein that forms the core of this delightful salad.

• Celery, Red Onion: Crisp vegetables that add texture and sharp flavor to the salad.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base that brings richness and tanginess to the dressing.
• Fresh Dill: Bright herb that provides a classic, zesty flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Citrus element that adds brightness and helps balance the rich ingredients.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and round out the overall taste of the salad.

• Water, Lemon: Provides a subtle flavor backdrop during the shrimp cooking process.

How to Prepare Best Shrimp Salad

Step 1: Boil Water and Prepare Cooling Station

Fill a medium pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and squeeze in a quartered lemon. Simultaneously, set up a large bowl filled with ice water nearby to quickly cool the shrimp after cooking.

Step 2: Cook Shrimp to Perfection

Gently drop the shrimp into the boiling water. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn a vibrant pink and become beautifully opaque. Watch carefully to avoid overcooking.

Step 3: Rapidly Cool Shrimp

Immediately drain the shrimp and plunge them into the prepared ice water bath. This stops the cooking process and helps maintain a tender, juicy texture.

Step 4: Drain and Dry Shrimp

Remove the shrimp from the ice bath and thoroughly drain. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure a crisp salad texture.

Step 5: Whisk Together Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Fresh dill
• Lemon juice
• Dijon mustard

Whisk until smooth and well-integrated.

Step 6: Assemble Shrimp Salad

• Cooked shrimp
• Finely chopped celery
• Thinly sliced red onion

Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients and toss delicately to coat evenly.

Step 7: Season and Refrigerate

Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to allow flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. Garnish with additional fresh dill and a light sprinkle of paprika for a pop of color.

Pro Tips for the Best Shrimp Salad

• Quickly cool shrimp in ice water to prevent overcooking and maintain a tender, juicy texture.
• Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and ensure they are completely deveined before cooking.
• Make the salad ahead of time and let it marinate in the refrigerator for deeper, more developed flavors.
• Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, healthier version of the dressing.
• Experiment with additional herbs like parsley or chives to enhance the salad's freshness and complexity.

Flavorful Variations for Best Shrimp Salad

• Mediterranean Shrimp Salad: Add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and diced cucumber for a Greek-inspired version with tangy Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Cajun Shrimp Salad: Sprinkle Cajun seasoning on shrimp before cooking and mix in chopped jalapeños and a splash of hot sauce for a zesty kick.
• Asian Fusion Shrimp Salad: Replace mayonnaise with sesame-soy dressing, add mandarin orange segments, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
• Avocado Lime Shrimp Salad: Mix in diced ripe avocado, replace lemon with fresh lime juice, and add chopped cilantro for a creamy, bright southwestern-style salad.

Pairing Ideas for Best Shrimp Salad

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Choose a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the light, fresh shrimp salad. These wines have bright acidity that cuts through the creamy dressing and enhances the seafood's delicate flavor.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Grab a slice of artisan sourdough or French baguette to soak up the zesty dressing. The bread adds a delightful textural contrast and helps make the salad feel more substantial.
• Match with Citrus Mocktail: Create a refreshing non-alcoholic drink using sparkling water, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of mint. This beverage mirrors the salad's lemony notes and provides a cool, invigorating accompaniment.
• Complement with Chilled Cucumber Soup: Prepare a light, cool cucumber soup as a starter.

Storage Advice for Best Shrimp Salad

• Store leftover shrimp salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep chilled at 40°F or below to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Avoid freezing this salad due to mayonnaise-based dressing, which separates and loses texture when thawed. Fresh preparation is recommended.
• Consume cold directly from the refrigerator. Do not microwave or heat, as shrimp becomes rubbery and dressing breaks down, compromising taste and texture.
• Discard if shrimp smells fishy or looks discolored. Always use clean utensils when serving to prevent cross-contamination and extend storage life.

Best Shrimp Salad Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Thaw them completely in the refrigerator before cooking, and make sure to pat them dry to remove excess moisture.

• How can I tell if the shrimp are cooked properly?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque, which typically takes 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcooking, as they can become tough and rubbery.

• Is it necessary to use fresh dill?

While fresh dill provides the best flavor, you can substitute with dried dill if fresh is unavailable. Use about 1/3 of the amount of dried dill compared to fresh.

Best Shrimp Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean shrimp salad dances with zesty lemon, crisp cucumber, and succulent prawns, creating a light yet satisfying coastal delight. Fresh herbs and tangy feta cheese elevate each refreshing bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (454 grams)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 cup celery, finely diced (240 milliliters)
• 1/2 red onion, finely minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, quartered

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons lemon juice (10 milliliters)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120 milliliters)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5 milliliters)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (22.5 milliliters)
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Fill a medium pot with salted water and add quartered lemon, bringing to a rolling boil at high heat.
2. Simultaneously prepare an ice bath in a large bowl to rapidly cool the shrimp after cooking.
3. Carefully submerge shrimp into boiling water, cooking for precisely 2-3 minutes until they transform to a vibrant pink and become fully opaque.
4. Quickly drain shrimp using a colander and immediately plunge into the ice water to halt the cooking process and preserve tender texture.
5. Allow shrimp to cool completely in ice bath, then drain thoroughly and gently pat dry with paper towels.
6. Whisk dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated, ensuring no lumps remain.
7. Transfer cooled shrimp to a medium salad bowl and add finely chopped celery and thinly sliced red onion.
8. Pour prepared dressing over the seafood mixture, using a gentle folding technique to coat ingredients evenly without breaking delicate shrimp.
9. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance overall flavor profile.
10. Refrigerate salad in a sealed container for 2-3 hours to allow flavors to meld and develop complexity.
11. Before serving, garnish with fresh dill sprigs and serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.

Notes

• Check shrimp freshness by looking for a mild ocean scent and firm texture without discoloration.
• Use extra-virgin olive oil for a richer dressing flavor that complements the delicate shrimp.
• Dice celery and red onion uniformly to ensure even distribution and balanced bite in each spoonful.
• For a low-carb version, serve over mixed greens instead of traditional bread or crackers.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 235 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 195 mg