Quick & Zingy Shrimp Salad Recipe: A Fresh Summer Delight

Zesty shrimp salad enhances ordinary ingredients into a vibrant culinary experience that dances across your taste buds.

Mediterranean-inspired flavors blend seamlessly with crisp, fresh components that elevate this classic dish.

Seafood enthusiasts appreciate how light and refreshing such a recipe can feel during warm summer afternoons.

Tender, succulent shrimp create the perfect protein-packed centerpiece for a delightful meal that feels both sophisticated and approachable.

Crisp vegetables and a tangy dressing complement the delicate seafood, creating harmonious layers of texture and taste.

Nutritious and quick to assemble, this dish offers a delectable solution for busy individuals seeking a satisfying lunch or dinner option.

Every bite promises a delightful combination of oceanic freshness and bright, bold seasonings.

Shrimp Salad Fresh Flavor Notes

• Quick and Easy Preparation: This shrimp salad recipe offers a simple cooking method that takes less than 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Burst of Fresh Flavors: The combination of dill, chives, lemon zest, and fresh cucumber creates a bright, zesty taste profile that transforms ordinary shrimp into an extraordinary salad with layers of herbaceous and tangy notes.
• Creamy and Luxurious Texture: The blend of Kewpie mayonnaise and Greek yogurt delivers a rich, silky dressing that perfectly coats the tender shrimp, providing a luxurious mouthfeel that's both light and indulgent.
• Versatile Serving Options: Whether you're looking to enjoy this as a quick lunch on toasted bread or as a elegant salad topping, this recipe offers flexible serving suggestions that adapt to different meal preferences and occasions.

Shrimp Salad Ingredient List

• Shrimp: Fresh, sweet protein that forms the core of the salad, select medium-sized and deveined for ease of preparation.

• Garlic, Red Onion: Sharp, pungent flavors that add depth to the salad.
• Dill, Chives: Fresh herbs that provide bright, green notes and crisp texture.

• Kewpie Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt: Creamy base that adds richness and tangy complexity, choose full-fat versions for best flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides subtle heat and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Lemon: Adds bright acidity and freshness, use a ripe, fragrant citrus.
• Rice Vinegar: Mild, soft vinegar that helps tenderize the shrimp.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances overall taste.

• Persian Cucumber: Adds crisp texture and light freshness to the salad, choose firm and small cucumbers.

Directions for Making Shrimp Salad

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Station

Fill a large pot with water and add generous salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Create an ice bath by filling a large bowl halfway with ice and cold water.

Step 2: Cook The Shrimp

Drop shrimp and rice vinegar into boiling water. Cook until shrimp turn pink, approximately 2 minutes. Quickly transfer shrimp to ice bath to stop cooking process. Once chilled, drain and pat dry on paper towels.

Step 3: Chop Fresh Ingredients

• Garlic clove (minced or grated)
• Red onion (finely diced)
• Persian cucumber (seeds removed, chopped)
• Fresh dill sprigs (chopped)
• Fresh chives (chopped)
• Lemon (zested and juiced)

Step 4: Create Creamy Dressing

• Kewpie mayonnaise
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Whisk ingredients until smooth and well blended.

Step 5: Assemble Shrimp Salad

Gently fold cooked shrimp into prepared dressing. Ensure shrimp are evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 6: Serve With Flair

Enjoy shrimp salad on toasted bread or fresh salad greens. Garnish with extra herbs if desired.

Top Tips for Shrimp Salad Perfection

• Master Shrimp Boiling: Add rice vinegar to boiling water for extra tenderness and flavor when cooking shrimp.
• Chill Quickly: Immediately transfer shrimp to an ice bath to stop cooking and prevent rubbery texture.
• Pat Perfectly Dry: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring the dressing coats the shrimp evenly.
• Herb Harmony: Finely chop fresh dill and chives to distribute flavors throughout the salad.
• Dressing Balance: Mix Kewpie mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a creamy yet tangy sauce that complements the shrimp.

Keeping Shrimp Salad Fresh

• Refrigeration: Store leftover shrimp salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheating: Gently warm the salad at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent rubbery shrimp texture and preserve delicate flavors.
• Freshness Check: Discard the salad if it develops an off smell, unusual color, or slimy texture. Always prioritize food safety when enjoying leftovers.

Pairing Ideas for Shrimp Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Choose a light, zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the shrimp's delicate flavor and cut through the creamy mayonnaise dressing.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Toast: The tangy bread provides a perfect crunchy base that enhances the texture of the shrimp salad and soaks up the delicious dressing.
• Match with Refreshing Cucumber Salad: Create a side of thinly sliced cucumbers with a light vinaigrette to echo the fresh cucumber in the recipe and provide a cool, crisp contrast to the rich shrimp mixture.
• Enjoy with Chilled Sparkling Water: A bubbly, lemon-infused sparkling water will refresh the palate and highlight the bright, citrusy notes from the lemon zest and dill in the salad.

Variations of Shrimp Salad to Try

• Mediterranean Marvel: Swap dill and chives with fresh oregano and mint. Replace Kewpie mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and olive oil. Add crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-inspired shrimp salad.
• Spicy Coastal Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños and sriracha sauce into the dressing. Use cilantro instead of dill and chives. Sprinkle with smoked paprika and add a dash of lime juice for extra zest.
• Asian Fusion Fusion: Replace Dijon mustard with sesame oil and rice vinegar. Mix in chopped green onions and grated ginger. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of soy sauce for an Asian-inspired flavor profile.
• Creole Celebration: Season shrimp with Cajun spice blend before cooking. Add diced bell peppers and celery to the mix. Use cayenne pepper in the dressing and garnish with chopped parsley for a New Orleans-style shrimp salad.

Shrimp Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 17 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty Mediterranean shrimp salad combines fresh Mediterranean ingredients with succulent prawns. Crisp vegetables, tangy herbs, and perfectly grilled shrimp create a light, refreshing meal that transports you to coastal Greece with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) jumbo uncooked fresh or frozen shrimp (21 to 25 per pound, no need to thaw), peeled and deveined

Vegetables and Herbs:

• ¼ medium red onion
• 1 medium Persian cucumber
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 bunch fresh chives
• 6 to 8 sprigs fresh dill
• 1 medium lemon

Dressing and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup Kewpie mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for salting the water
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Optional Serving Suggestions:

• Toasted bread or salad greens

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Simultaneously, create an ice bath in a spacious bowl and prepare a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
2. Gently lower the shrimp into the boiling water, adding a splash of rice vinegar. Cook until the shrimp transform to a vibrant pink and become tender, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Immediately drain the shrimp and plunge them into the ice bath to halt the cooking process. Once thoroughly chilled, remove the shrimp and pat dry on the paper towel-lined sheet.
4. Prepare the aromatic mix by mincing garlic, dicing red onion, and finely chopping cucumber after removing its seeds. Strip dill fronds and tender stems, and finely cut chives.
5. Zest and juice the lemon, capturing its bright, citrusy essence.
6. In a medium bowl, whisk together Kewpie mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-incorporated.
7. Fold the chilled shrimp into the creamy dressing, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.
8. Serve the shrimp salad atop crisp toasted bread or a bed of fresh salad greens for a light, refreshing meal.

Notes

• Quickly boil shrimp in salted water with rice vinegar for perfectly tender and flavorful results.
• Chill shrimp immediately in an ice bath to stop cooking and maintain a delicate, crisp texture.
• Finely chop fresh herbs like dill and chives to add bright, zesty notes that elevate the entire dish.
• Mix creamy Kewpie mayonnaise with tangy Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard for a rich, complex dressing.
• Pat shrimp dry on paper towels to ensure the dressing adheres evenly and prevents watery consistency.
• Versatile serving options include toasted bread or fresh salad greens for a light, refreshing meal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 220mg