Skip to Content

Easy Shrimp Salad Recipe

This Shrimp Salad is packed with succulent, plump shrimp and a creamy, flavorful dressing. It’s a perfect blend of textures and tastes, sure to be a hit at any gathering.

shrimp salad in bowl mixed


 

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Light and refreshing salads are my thing, and this shrimp salad is the perfect recipe to add to my collection. I’ve been making a version of a mayo-based salad for years, particularly this cold seafood salad recipe. But once I started making this simple shrimp salad recipe, I was hooked.

I tried the shrimp salad at Costco, and it inspired me to make my version. I used a creamy mayonnaise base for my salad, and I added Old Bay and smoked paprika to give it extra flavor. The salad tastes excellent when served as a side, on lettuce wraps, or on bread.

Ingredients Needed

  • Shrimp—For this recipe, I use raw medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined, with tails removed. I don’t use cooked shrimp; it’ll just end up rubbery.
  • Poaching Liquid – Water, Lemon, Bay leaf, Old Bay seasoning
  • Vegetables and herbs – celery, red onion, fresh dill
  • Dressing Ingredients – mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Lemon Juice, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, ground black pepper
ingredients for shrimp salad

Tools Needed

Find a list of my recommended tools on my Storefront. Here’s what you need to gather to make this recipe.

  • Large pot for boiling shrimp
  • Slotted spoon
  • Mixing bowls of various sizes
  • Sharp knife for chopping vegetables
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Whisk for mixing dressing
  • Serving platter or large salad bowl

How to make Shrimp Salad – Step-by-Step

1. Prepare the Shrimp

Fill a large pot with water and add the lemon halves, bay leaf, and Old Bay seasoning. Heat the pot over medium heat until small bubbles begin to form at the bottom. It’s important not to let the water reach a simmer; it should only have tiny bubbles.

Add the shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are pink and opaque. Remove the slotted spoon and place them on a plate to cool.

2. Make the Dressing

While the shrimp cool, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

3. Assemble the Salad

Add the chopped celery, red onion, and fresh dill to the bowl with the dressing. Stir to combine everything well. Gently fold in the cooled shrimp.

4. Chill and Serve

Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serving Suggestions

  • On Lettuce: For a light, refreshing dish, serve the shrimp salad on a bed of crisp lettuce.
  • On Bread: Turn it into a sandwich by slathering it between two slices of your favorite bread.
  • On Crackers: For a quick snack or appetizer, serve it on crunchy crackers.

Whether you’re enjoying it for lunch, dinner, or a snack, this shrimp salad will surely please!

shrimp salad ina bed of leaves with lemon

Storage and Make Ahead Tips

For optimal freshness, store shrimp salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tanya’s Top Tips

  • Buy raw shrimp and poach the shrimp before adding it to the salad. That will ensure that the salad has succulent, tender shrimp.
  • The shrimp can be served immediately or chilled for at least an hour for even better flavor.

I hope you like this shrimp salad as much as we do. If you are looking for more delicious shrimp recipes, try these out.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is invaluable and helps us grow. Thank you for your support!

shrimp salad in bowl mixed
Print Pin Save
No ratings yet

Shrimp Salad Recipe

This Shrimp Salad is packed with succulent, plump shrimp and a creamy, flavorful dressing. It’s a perfect blend of textures and tastes, sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword shrimp salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 204kcal
Author Tanya

Ingredients

For the Shrimp

  • 1 pound medium raw shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 lemon halved
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • Water for boiling

For the Salad

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped celery stalks
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot with water and add the lemon halves, bay leaf, and Old Bay seasoning. Heat the pot over medium heat until small bubbles begin to form at the bottom. It’s important not to let the water reach a simmer; it should only have tiny bubbles.
  • Add the shrimp and cook for 4-5 minutes until they took pink and opaque. Remove the slotted spoon and place them on a plate to cool.
  • Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a large bowl and mix well.
  • Add the chopped celery, red onion, and fresh dill to the bowl. Stir to combine. Gently fold in the shrimp.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour for the best flavor. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

This shrimp salad is great served on top of lettuce leaves, in a sandwich, or with crackers.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 107IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1mg
My Southern Air Fryer ECookbookFind all my Top Southern Air Fryer recipes in one place! My Southern Air Fryer ECookbook!
Subscribe to my YouTubeSubscribe to my YouTube Channel for full length recipe videos. Click the bell icon to be notified when I upload a new video.
Tried this recipe? Share on InstagramMention @Myforkinglife or tag #myforkinglife!
Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
Recipe Rating