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 recipe for lunch or dinner.
Recipe Ingredients
Simple, wholesome, easy to find ingredients are used in this recipe:
- Tiny to medium cooked shrimp, tails removed
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Celery
- fresh Dill
- Lemon juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
For Sandwiches/Rolls
- melted butter
- Rolls or Hot Dog Buns
Variations
Adding some diced red onion gives a bit of a spicy bite!
Try substituting grilled shrimp for a totally different flavor.
How to Make Shrimp Salad – Step by Step
This recipe is very easy and fast to make!
STEP 1: 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).
STEP 2: Dab dry with a paper towel.
STEP 3: Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, celery, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a large bowl; mix fully.
STEP 4: Add the shrimp and toss to coat and serve.
What Type of Shrimp to Use?
I use good quality frozen (cooked not raw) deveined, peeled shrimp.
This saves the time it takes to peel and devein the shrimp.
It’s easy to thaw quickly. The flavor and texture are great too.
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, here is a way to cook it.
What Size Shrimp to Use
This recipe is flexible regarding the size used.
The photos show a medium size. They are great in a sandwich on rolls or a bed of lettuce.
I also like using ‘salad shrimp’.
They are very small so perfect when adding the creamy salad to an avocado half.
They are also nice in a sandwich.
‘Salad shrimp’ are available by that name 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.
Ways to Serve
On Salad Greens
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 shrimp salad recipe too.
Shrimp Salad Sandwiches
Much like Lobster Rolls, this recipe 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.
Complete this Meal….
- Rainbow Quinoa Summer Salad
- Homemade Oven Fries
- Raspberry Pandowdy
- Elderflower Gin Fizz with frozen Berry ‘ice cubes’
Want more Salad Recipes?
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- Shrimp Creole
- Dragon Shrimp & Spicy Noodles
- Grilled Spicy Salt and Pepper Shrimp Skewers
- Spicy Garlic Sriracha Shrimp and Broccoli Stir Fry
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Shrimp Salad
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
- Thaw shrimp in refrigerator overnight or fill shrimp bag with cold water and let sit for several minutes.
- Combine shrimp, mayonnaise, sour cream, celery, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Butter each bun and toast under broiler for 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Fill Buns with salad and garnish with chives if desired.
Nutrition
Originally published: May 23, 2019
Melissa Mondragon says
Oh wow! I can’t get enough shrimp!
Natasha says
We had this shrimp salad for dinner and it was delicious! It also filled us up, thanks for sharing another great recipe!
Elsie Smith says
I made this for the first time last summer and can’t count how many times since then I’ve made it for friends and family. It’s my favorite summer recipe!
Marilyn says
Loved this. I used frozen peeled shrimp and adapted the recipe for two people (I love that feature.) There was still enough for leftovers. I will make this again.
Toni Dash says
Yay!! I’m so glad Marilyn and thanks for the feedback on the recipe adjustment feature. So glad it was helpful for you.
Karen Bulow says
I made this for my fussy husband and guess what..he liked it. He asked me to make it again! Simple to make and delicious. I added just a touch of seafood seasoning.
Natalie says
Fantastic. I made this over the weekend. It was delicious. My family loved it!
Ghulam Mohyudin says
It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
Tiffany says
Can you use pre cooked frozen shrimp ? How much of a difference in taste would it be? Thanks
Toni Dash says
That is the type of shrimp used in the recipe so you are all set!
Claudia Krusch says
It looks amazing! I love shrimp! I can’t wait to try your recipe! Love all the ingredients in it!
Autumn Rose Reo says
I wasn’t having any cravings, but now I want a lobster roll in Maine. But instead I can make this shrimp salad!
Catherine Sokolowski says
This is a perfect idea for the frozen shrimp I have sitting in my freezer. I’ve been waiting for a simple, delicious recipe like this one. Thanks for sharing!!
Cookilicious says
It sure does look appetizing..would love to try it
Michelle says
This is such a perfect warm weather dinner. Fresh and cool and delicious.
Tara Pittman says
I love shrimp and I am drooling over this. I do need to get the ingredients so I can make this
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
Wowza! This shrimp salad has my mouth watering. This would be perfect for Mother’s Day!
Melissa says
I love shrimp sandwiches and your recipe was so so good! We will have this again soon, thanks so much!
wilhelmina says
The best shrimp salad I have ever made! It is light and creamy and SO delicious!
Chelsea says
This is seriously one of our favorites! We’re so obsessed! Thanks for sharing!
Anita says
I love how fresh and how easy it is to prepare this shrimp salad. Serving them in sandwiches is such a great idea
Emily Liao says
This shrimp salad was delicious! Loved the fresh flavors and taste great inside a sandwich bun. Will be making again!
Eden says
This was so amazing!! We loved it and we’re all huge shrimp fans. Can’t wait to make it again!
Sara Welch says
Such a creamy and delicious way to enjoy shrimp! Loved every bite!
Lindsay Cotter says
Had some shrimp that I needed to use so this was perfect for it! So easy to make and totally delicious!!
Brianne says
I love this recipe! I love it on the sandwiches, and I can see adding pasta to it, as well. Yummo!
Lauren k says
My husband will be thrilled when I make this for him. What a delicious recipe!