The Best Shrimp Salad

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/19/24
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 1 bowl

This tasty shrimp salad is quick to prepare and makes a great lunch or main dish for warmer weather. A scoop of this chilled, creamy shrimp salad atop a bed of greens makes for a refreshing and beautiful dish.

This shrimp salad is a great sandwich filling (when chopped more finely), easy to slip inside a pita pocket, between a multigrain roll, or for a healthier option, make a lettuce wrap. Add a side of potato chips for the ideal salty and crunchy accompaniment.

Shrimp salad on a bed of lettuce

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Tips for Making Shrimp Salad Recipe

  • Don't overcook - When simmering the shrimp, you must avoid overcooking. Shrimps that are cooked too long will be rubbery and unpleasant to eat. Remove the shrimp from the heat as soon as they turn pink. To stop the cooking and speed up the cooling process, rinse with cold water or place them in an ice bath. Dry thoroughly with a paper towel before chopping.
  • Frozen shrimps - You can purchase previously frozen deveined shrimp from the fish counter or bags of frozen deveined shrimp from the freezer case of your supermarket. If using frozen shrimp for this recipe, allow them to simmer for another minute or until they turn pink.
  • For a super-quick preparation - buy already-cooked shrimp and follow the directions for thawing if frozen.


What You'll Need to Make This Shrimp Salad Recipe
Commerce Photo Composite
A Great Saucepan
Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer
A Handy Dandy Citrus Juicer
Best Paring Knives
A Sharp Paring Knife
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 to 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp

  • 3 quarts water

  • 1 tablespoon fine salt

  • 1 cup diced celery

  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped green or red bell pepper

  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons mayonnaise, or to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper, to taste

  • 1 medium head romaine lettuce, leaves torn (or mixed salad greens)

  • Avocado slices, optional

  • Tomato wedges, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Peel and devein 1 to 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp; rinse well. 

  3. Bring 3 quarts of water with 1 tablespoon of salt in a large saucepan to a boil over high heat.

  4. Add the shrimp and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pan and simmer for about 5 minutes, until the shrimp are opaque and pink. Make sure not to overcook.

  5. Drain immediately and transfer to a bowl. Cool completely, dry with a paper towel, and chop coarsely.

  6. Mix the chopped shrimp with 1 cup diced celery, 1/4 cup coarsely chopped green or red bell pepper, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 3 to 4 tablespoons mayonnaise.

  7. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Taste and adjust the mayonnaise and seasonings, as desired.

  8. Serve on a bed of lettuce or mixed greens and a slice of avocado or tomato wedges, if desired.

How to Store Shrimp Salad Recipe

Any leftovers, this shrimp salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.


Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Experiment with flavor! - This is the type of recipe that is made for adding an ingredient here and there. A small dollop of Dijon mustard will contribute a nice tang, and a few snips of a fresh herb such as parsley, basil, chives, or cilantro will add color and vibrancy to the salad. 
  • Make it filling - Combine the shrimp salad with cooled cooked rice for a terrific luncheon dish.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
305 Calories
13g Fat
5g Carbs
39g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 305
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 365mg 122%
Sodium 3638mg 158%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 39g
Vitamin C 16mg 81%
Calcium 194mg 15%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 407mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)