Shrimp Salad Recipe: How to Make Shrimp Salad

Shrimp Salad is a light, delicious recipe that feels like being on vacation by the seashore. It’s so easy, no matter where you are, you’ll want to make it all year long.

As warmer weather rolls around, light, flavor-packed recipes are always welcome.

Especially when they are super easy and versatile.

This classic recipe is a favorite all year long.

What is Shrimp Salad?

Much like chicken salad or tuna salad, shrimp salad is a combination of cooked shrimp tossed in a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing.

It can be served in many ways and is a perfect dish for summer in particular. Light, creamy and this version has fresh herbs too.

It is an easy shrimp recipe for lunch or dinner.

Recipe Ingredients

Simple, wholesome, easy to find ingredients are used in this recipe:

• ‘Salad shrimp’ (tiny) to medium cooked shrimp, tails removed
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Celery
• fresh dill
• Lemon juice
• Salt and Pepper to taste

For Shrimp Salad Sandwiches/Rolls

• 4 Tablespoons melted butter
• 6  top sliced Rolls or Hot Dog Buns

What Type of Shrimp to Use?

I use good quality frozen (cooked not raw) deveined, peeled shrimp when making shrimp salad.

It’s easy to thaw quickly. The flavor and texture are great too.

You can keep a bag in your freezer so when the mood strikes you can whip up this recipe.

There sometimes is a concern frozen shrimp will be mushy when thawed. I have not had that experience.

If you want to cook your own shrimp, here is a way to cook it. 

What Size Shrimp to Use

This recipe is flexible regarding the size shrimp used.

The photos show a medium size shrimp. They are great in a sandwich on rolls or a bed of lettuce.

Depending on how you’ll use the shrimp salad recipe, I also like using ‘salad shrimp’.

They are very small so perfect when adding the shrimp salad to an avocado half for instance.

They are also nice in a sandwich.

Salad Shrimp are available in frozen form at most grocery stores too.

What is the ‘Shrimp Count’?

When buying shrimp, either fresh or frozen, you’ll note there is a count number associated with the shrimp.

This number indicates how many shrimps there are in a pound!

The larger the number the smaller the size of the shrimp and vice versa.

How to Make Shrimp Salad – Step by Step

This recipe is very easy and fast to make! The cooked chilled shrimp is tossed in a creamy dressing and is ready to serve.

• Thaw shrimp as directed on package (usually overnight in the refrigerator in a colander with a bowl underneath; or more quickly in a colander under running cold water).
• Dab the shrimp dry with a paper towel before assembling the shrimp salad.
• Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, celery, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a large bowl; mix fully.
• Add the shrimp and toss to coat and serve. 

Ways to Serve Shrimp Salad

On Salad Greens

The creamy shrimp salad is delicious on a bed of crispy fresh lettuce such as butter lettuce or romaine lettuce.

It can be served as is or drizzled with a simple oil and vinegar dressing.

In a Halved Avocado

Perfect for a cool appetizer or salad:

• halve an avocado
• remove the pit
• scoop a bit more of the avocado flesh out around the pit area (leave some of the avocado)
• fill with a mound of shrimp salad

If desired the scooped portion of the avocado can be diced and added back into the avocado shrimp salad too.

Shrimp Salad Sandwiches

Much like Lobster Rolls, shrimp salad is perfect in a toasty roll or on favorite sandwich bread.

It tastes like summer by the seashore dining al fresco! Instructions for toasting the rolls are in the recipe card below.

TIP: Taking a few minute to brush hot dog buns or sandwich rolls with melted butter and broil them, makes all the difference for sandwiches!

In a Pasta Salad

Toss with cooked, drained room temperature or chilled elbow macaroni pasta or bow tie pasta.

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More Easy Shrimp Recipes

• Shrimp Creole: A Spicy Fast and Easy Dinner Recipe
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Print

Shrimp Salad

Light and fresh shrimp salad is easy to make and perfect in sandwiches, pasta, on salad greens and more.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword how to make shrimp salad, shrimp salad recipe, shrimp salad sandwiches

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 3 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 6 4-6 servings

Calories 651 kcal

Author Toni Dash

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pound medium cooked frozen shrimp tails removed
• ½ cup Mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons sour cream
• ¼ chopped celery
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 4 Tablespoons melted butter
• 6 - 8 sliced Hot Dog Buns
• 2 Tablespoon chives for garnish optional

Instructions

1. Thaw shrimp in refrigerator overnight or fill shrimp bag with cold water and let sit for several minutes.
2. Combine shrimp, mayonnaise, sour cream, celery, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl.
3. Butter each bun and toast under broiler for 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned.
4. Fill Buns with salad and garnish with chives if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Shrimp Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 651 Calories from Fat 342

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 38g 58%

Saturated Fat 12g 60%

Cholesterol 474mg 158%

Sodium 1925mg 80%

Potassium 217mg 6%

Total Carbohydrates 33g 11%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 5g

Protein 42g 84%

Vitamin A 9.7%

Vitamin C 12.3%

Calcium 36.7%

Iron 32.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.