Shrimp Salad Recipes That Come Together in 30 Minutes or Less
Quick cooking, lean, and flavorful, shrimp are the perfect addition to just about any salad. When you want a fast dinner, all you need to is start with shrimp. Then, as the recipes here show, once you add just a handful of ingredients, you'll have a super satisfying and healthy meal.
We've selected recipes that go beyond basic. The salad recipes her aren’t limited to mayo-based dressings and lettuce (though there's nothing wrong with lettuce in a shrimp salad as the chopped salad with shrimp, avocado, and a buttermilk dressing pictured here shows). Instead, shrimp are paired with fresh vegetables and even some unexpected fruit and tasty olive oil-based dressings. One great thing to know about shrimp is that the protein goes well with just about any salad dressing, so don't be shy about swapping in a favorite vinaigrette. These salads also combine shrimp with rice, noodles, and even crispy tortilla bits, which all make great dinners or take-to-work lunches.
And there are so many different ways to cook shrimp for salad; whether broiled, boiled, sautéed, or steamed, shrimp are always delicious. Whichever method the recipe calls for, as soon as the shrimp changes from translucent to pink and start to curl up a little, they are ready. And no matter the cooking method, average shrimp are done in under five minutes. Further proof of just how easy a shrimp meal is—all these recipes are made in under 30 minutes. Buy shrimp fresh or always have this perfect salad ingredient on hand by keeping a bag of frozen shrimp in the freezer. (Frozen shrimp can be defrosted in as little as 10 minutes with minimal effort, check out our thawing guide.)
No matter the method or cuisine—we've included Asian-inspired, Italian, and Mexican recipes here—this versatile lean protein is sure to make these some of your favorite salad recipes.
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Scandinavian Shrimp Salad
A popular dish in Sweden, our take on Scandinavian shrimp salad is served with boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, cornichons, fennel, and butter lettuce. It tastes great in a bowl or try it as an open-face sandwich.
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Crispy Panko Shrimp Salad
One ingredient, Dijonnaise, plays two roles in this crispy shrimp and crunchy lettuce salad: it's the base for the creamy dressing and it's also used to adhere the panko to the shrimp. This spectacular salad is made with just five ingredients!
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Mexican Seafood Salad
A light and refreshing ceviche-inspired salad, this recipe combines cooked shrimp and snapper with our favorite summer ingredients, corn and tomatoes, in a lime dressing. A generous handful of corn nuts over top adds crunch and is an ode to Peruvian ceviche, where it is a common ingredient.
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Avocado, Shrimp, and Endive Salad
Fresh tarragon leaves add distinctive anise notes to this tasty trio, but any leafy herb like mint or basil leaves would be just as delicious.
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Caesar Salad with Spicy Shrimp
Chili-spiced shrimp are the perfect addition to creamy Caesar salad dressing. For a crouton upgrade, this recipe toasts tortillas in the oven until crisp and has you crumble them over the salad.
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Shrimp Cobb with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
Most of the usual cobb salad ingredients are here: bacon, tomato, hard-boiled egg, and avocado but with a protein swap of shrimp instead of chicken. A zesty cilantro-lime vinaigrette is the perfect complement to the plump sweet shrimp.
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Shrimp and Rice Salad with Parsley
Putting together a shrimp salad couldn't be easier than this five-ingredient recipe. While the rice cooks, sauté the shrimp with garlic. Then toss them with the cooked rice, lemon juice, olive oil, and lots of fresh parsley.
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Italian Seafood Salad
Perfect as an antipasti or served over toast, this salad brings together shrimp, crab, mussels, and squid in a garlicky dressing with crunchy fresh bites of fennel, bell pepper, and celery. For maximum flavor, make it ahead and let the salad marinate for up to eight hours in the refrigerator.
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Buffalo Shrimp Salad
This spin on buffalo chicken is a lot lighter and even tastier. Plump shrimp are tossed in buffalo sauce and served with a classic pairing, blue cheese, and crisp green escarole leaves, although you can swap in any lettuce you like.
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Broiled Coconut-and-Lime-Crusted Shrimp With Rice-Noodle Salad
Irresistible and crunchy coconut shrimp take just five minutes to cook under the broiler. Pair them vermicelli rice noodles tossed with a hot pepper jelly sauce that mimics Asian-noodle dishes for a meal that is a little sweet with a touch of spice.
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Soba Salad with Asparagus and Shrimp
Quick poached shrimp and asparagus are paired with hearty buckwheat soba noodles and dressed in a simple yet super flavorful Asian vinaigrette. Serve this warm or cold, it's both the perfect last-minute meal and a stellar make-ahead option.
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Poached Shrimp with Honeydew, Radishes, Jicama, and Scallions
This unexpected combo of shrimp and honeydew gets a hit of umami from a touch of fish sauce in a tangy lemon dressing. The shrimp are poached in a flavorful broth, infusing them with ginger and spice flavor.