Shrimp Salad

Updated July 20, 2025

Media 1 of 1
Total Time
15 minutes, plus 2 hours’ optional chilling
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes, plus 2 hours’ optional chilling
Rating
5(128)
Comments
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This Southern shrimp salad is so easy to throw together. It uses fresh or frozen shrimp, quickly and gently cooked in a pot of just-boiled water that’s well seasoned and spiked with lemon. Once cooled, the shrimp is then tossed in a savory, tangy, creamy dressing with a crunch from crisp vegetables for a perfect balance of texture. It’s an ideal light lunch, and also keeps in the fridge for a few days, ready to serve as a snack with crackers when you need something in a hurry.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • 1 large lemon

  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning, such as Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, divided

  • 1 pound large peeled and deveined shrimp

  • ⅔ cup mayonnaise

  • ½ cup finely chopped shallots

  • ½ cup finely chopped celery

  • 1 heaping teaspoon chopped dill

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • Salad greens, crackers or a combination, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 to 6 servings)

5 grams carbs; 132 milligrams cholesterol; 262 calories; 5 grams monosaturated fat; 12 grams polyunsaturated fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 20 grams fat; 1 gram fiber; 248 milligrams sodium; 16 grams protein; 2 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. In a separate large bowl, make an ice bath. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a small bowl, reserving the squeezed-out lemon halves. (You should have about 3 tablespoons juice.)

  2. Step 2

    To the pot of boiling water, stir in the squeezed-out lemon halves, 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning, and stir to combine. Turn off the heat and add the shrimp to the pot. Let the shrimp cook for 4 to 6 minutes, until they turn opaque and curl slightly.

  3. Step 3

    Using a slotted spoon or spider, transfer shrimp from the pot to the ice bath. Once the shrimp are cool enough to handle, pat dry with paper towels. Roughly chop and set aside.

  4. Step 4

    In a medium bowl, stir together mayonnaise, shallots, celery, dill, remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, remaining 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning and the black pepper. Add shrimp and mix until well coated; taste for seasonings. Enjoy right away or refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 3 days). Serve with salad greens, crackers or both.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
128 user ratings
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Comments

The CIA-trained chefs at Simply Good in Birmingham, Michigan taught us to cool poached shrimp in their poaching liquid — why wash away all the flavor in ice water? I transfer the shrimp and some of the liquid into a stainless steel bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and water. Cools quickly!

Unless you’re absolutely sure it’s fresh, you’re better off buying shrimp frozen. Most “fresh” shrimp has already been frozen and thawed, which increases the risk of spoilage or off flavors. Keep a bag in your freezer and thaw it in water when you’re ready to cook- it takes less than 10 minutes.

I added avocado and served it on lettuce surrounded by fresh peach slices. It was delectable. I had to use dried dill, which blended in with the dressing adequately, though fresh would have been much better. I also substituted green onions for the shallots. The shrimp had a perfect texture and lovely flavor. Fit for a queen.

Very delicious. I served some in cooked artichoke bottoms and some in avocado halves as an entrée.

Made shrimp stock from shells, added OB seasoning/lemon, drained , cooked the shrimp in that.

I am usually a Hellmans Mayo cook, but I thought the mayo flavor was too much! Maybe I will try Duke’s for the next batch. Does anyone have a mayo suggestion they have lived with this?

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