Here’s a simple shrimp salad that’s ready in minutes and can be enjoyed on toasted buns or in lettuce cups. Perfect for a light dinner or delicious lunch.
For me growing up, Shrimp Salad was always the shell macaroni, mayonnaise, and tiny canned shrimp variety. Which don’t get me wrong, Shrimp Macaroni Salad is still delicious! But for this version, I wanted a chunky, deli type simple Shrimp Salad with a fresh dressing and ingredients that compliment the shrimp without overpowering it. I found a dressing base adapted from America’s Test Kitchen with a few changes of my own that gave the sauce zing that wouldn’t get lost when served as a sandwich. Also important was to add the right textures for crunch and flavor.
A simple Shrimp Salad is super quick to prepare especially if you buy pre-cooked (but fresh) shrimp. If you buy from the meat counter, ask to smell the shrimp and if it’s fresh, it won’t smell fishy at all. If you want to cook your own shrimp, I give you directions in the recipe for how best to do that too.
Rinse your cooked shrimp in a colander, picking out any left behind tails, shell, and veins. If you’re using shrimp you cooked yourself, make sure the inside isn’t translucent anymore but not so overcooked that the shrimp becomes rubbery. In the recipe notes, I offer a cooking method that makes perfect shrimp foolproof.
The dressing is super easy and fresh without being sour. The base starts with mayo and a little Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and fresh dill. Then the flavor gets deepened with Worcestershire and hot sauce. Celery (be sure to use some of the leaves for nice flavor and excellent texture), red onion and some minced radish. The radish is optional but adds the perfect bite and crunch that I highly recommend. Plus it’s nice to have some color variety in any salad.
Good Side Dishes to Serve with Shrimp Salad
Simple Shrimp Salad is excellent served on some toasted, buttered, buns or by itself on lettuce cups. If making the sandwich option, I recommend any soft ranch or Hawaiian-type buns, buttered and then toasted under the broiler just until the edges start to brown. Toasted buns ensure a nice crunch, more flavor, and the dressing doesn’t sop into the bread.
Before adding the shrimp to the dressing, I cut them in half lengthwise, then cut each piece into thirds. Depending on the size of your shrimp and preference for the size of bite you want, you can of course cut them smaller, or even dice them. And if you’re craving that classic, Shrimp Macaroni Salad like I mentioned at the first of the post, you can adapt this recipe to accommodate that. Just double the dressing, increasing the mayo a bit for a thicker base, then mix with some cooked shell macaroni for huge success.
Simple Shrimp Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, 31 to 35 per pound, pre-cooked, peeled, deveined, tails removed
- ½ tsp hot sauce, Tabasco or similar
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, minced
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, plain, or sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 celery rib, minced-with leaves
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 3 radishes, chopped, optional
- Salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
- Ranch or Hawaiian-type rolls, optional
- Bib lettuce, for serving
Instructions
- Rinse 1 pound pre-cooked shrimp in a colander (see notes if cooking the shrimp yourself) under cold water, removing any shells, veins, or tails as necessary. Cut shrimp in half lengthwise and then cut each half into thirds. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, add ½ teaspoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 Tablespoon dill, 1 Tablespoon mustard, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 2 Tablespoon yogurt, ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 minced celery, ¼ cup onion, 3 radishes, and salt and pepper. Taste and adjust salt and pepper or add more of any ingredients you want to, like hot sauce or mustard.
- Add the shrimp to the dressing, tossing until all the shrimp is covered.
- Serve the shrimp salad either on bib lettuce cups as a salad main dish, or on toasted, buttered buns (see next step) with the lettuce also on the bun for a sandwich.
- If serving as sandwiches, slice the buns and lightly butter. Place the buns under a broiler, butter side up until just starting to turn golden around the edges.
Equipment
Notes
- If you can't find pre-cooked shrimp or want to cook it yourself, do this:
Combine shrimp, 2 cups cold water, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar to medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often until shrimp are pink and firm to touch and centers are no longer translucent, 8 to 10 minutes (water should be just bubbling around edge of saucepan). Meanwhile, fill a large bowl halfway with ice and water.
Remove saucepan from heat, cover and let sit for 2 minutes. Drain shrimp, discarding peppercorns, and transfer to ice bath to cool, about 3 minutes. Transfer shrimp to triple layer of paper towels and dry well. Continue with recipe, making the dressing and adding the cooled shrimp to it, cut as indicated above.
Wow, you really know how to make a girl hungry 🙂 Looks phenomenal!
This was heavenly! I added some cheese to it is all. delicious Sally!
Sally, this was SO GOOD! My husband and I absolutely loved it. He already wants me to make it again next week and I’m totally fine with that!
Wonderful recipe! Makes a delicious, refreshing dinner and looks as good as it tastes!
Move over egg salad sandwiches! These were amazing! Thanks for all the great recipe inspirations Sally!
WOW this is an awesome salad. The dressing is amazing! What a great combination of flavors!
Thanks so much, Eva! We love it as well.
The flavors are fabulous and we loved the radish in it as well. Was a great Sunday lunch meal without all the hassle. Thanks Sally!
Hi Jaclyn, I love the crunch of the radish as well. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
This looks and sounds so delicious and flavorful!! Can’t wait to try it.
Shrimp is one of my go to proteins. This recipe is so tasty. I really love the fresh dill and lemon zest!
Thanks Angela, Shrimp is at the top of my protein list as well!
Such an awesome shrimp salad recipe. I love your idea to serve it in lettuce cups.
Thanks Katherine, It makes a great presentation in the lettuce cups.
Love how easy and delicious this recipe is. It’s perfect for a gathering or a party.
Thanks Shadi, they are great for casual gatherings for sure. Can’t wait to be able to have parties again! 🙂
Oh I could definitely eat a few of those right now. They look delicious.
Thanks, Dannii!
Oh, this shrimp salad looks so good on a sandwich po’boy style! Perfect shrimp recipe for spring time!
Hi Scarlet, thanks so much! The sandwich option is definitely our favorite.