A refreshing shrimp salad is one of the ultimate light and tasty meals for warm weather. The sweet, briny flavor of shrimp truly shines when paired with crisp greens and fresh vegetables. But what really brings a shrimp salad together is choosing the right salad dressing.
The dressing delivers crucial flavor and moisture, coating each bite. With so many salad dressing options out there, which ones complement shrimp best?
In this article, we’ll explore the most delicious salad dressing varieties that truly enhance shrimp without overpowering their delicate seafood taste Let’s dive in to discover what type of salad dressing goes best with sweet, succulent shrimp!
Why Pair Shrimp and Salad Together
Before getting into dressings, let’s look at why combining shrimp and salad makes for such a winning flavor combo.
Some key reasons shrimp salad is so popular:
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Contrasting textures – The tender shrimp and crisp lettuce or greens offer nice textural interplay.
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Nutrition – Shrimp pack protein while salad provides fiber vitamins and minerals. Together they offer a well-balanced meal.
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Bright, refreshing – Cool shrimp, greens and vegetables are lively and invigorating during warmer months.
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Versatility – Shrimp salad accepts many flavor profiles from citrus to herb to Asian.
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Easy preparation – No cooking required; simply boil, grill or pan sear the shrimp separately then mix it all together.
Now let’s explore which dressings can elevate your shrimp salad from boring to brilliant.
Citrus-Based Salad Dressings
Going into this, you may think fruit juice has no place in salad dressing. But citrus juices and zest add just the right sweet-tart pop that shrimp crave. Here are winning citrus-centric dressings for shrimp salad:
Citrus Vinaigrette
This bright dressing combines both orange and lime juice for a double hit of citrus. Olive oil, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper round out the tangy flavor. The citrus cuts through richer ingredients like avocado beautifully.
Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
Tart lemon juice, smooth Dijon mustard, and olive oil come together in this easy vinaigrette. Garlic, shallots, salt, and pepper customize the flavor. The lemon highlights the sweetness of the shrimp.
Orange Ginger Dressing
For an Asian twist, use fresh orange juice, rice vinegar, ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and chili paste. The spicy ginger and orange enhance the shrimp.
Grapefruit Jalapeño Dressing
Not too sweet grapefruit juice, spicy jalapeños, lime juice, olive oil and cilantro make a unique dressing with lots of bright flavors to complement shrimp.
The natural sweet-tart quality of citrus balances beautifully with shrimp’s briny taste.
Herb Based Salad Dressings
Fresh herb flavors also pair wonderfully with shrimp salad. Here are some stellar herb dressings:
Cilantro Lime Dressing
This lively blend of cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper packs a flavor punch. The cooling cilantro-lime notes mesh perfectly with sweet shrimp.
Basil Buttermilk Dressing
Smooth and creamy buttermilk mixed with olive oil, basil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper makes a rich dressing ideal for shrimp salad. Sprinkle in some grated Parmesan too.
Dill Ranch Dressing
Give classic ranch delicious dill flavor with mayonnaise, buttermilk, fresh dill, shallots, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, and spices. It coats the shrimp with cool, herby flavor.
Chive Vinaigrette
Minced fresh chives infuse olive oil, champagne vinegar (or white wine vinegar), mustard, salt, and pepper for an easy vinaigrette. The mild onion flavor of chives works nicely with shrimp.
Let fresh herbs shine alongside the shrimp’s natural sweetness by using them in dressings.
Creamy Salad Dressings
For a richer, smoother shrimp salad dressing experience, opt for creamy dressings like these:
Honey Mustard Dressing
Honey mustard dressing is a classic pairing with shrimp salad. Use a blend of mayonnaise, mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The honey mustard beautifully coats the shrimp.
Louis Dressing
This refined dressing brings together mayonnaise, ketchup, herbs, spices, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and more. The creamy, spicy dressing is a flavorful match for shrimp.
Green Goddess Dressing
Mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, tarragon, chives, anchovies, lemon juice, garlic, and spices create a silky, herb-filled dressing ideal for shrimp salad.
Blue Cheese Dressing
Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, blue cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper for a luscious dressing. The bold blue cheese pairs perfectly with sweet shrimp.
Let these creamy dressings envelop your shrimp salad with moisture and flavor. Adjust the dressing consistency as needed with buttermilk or yogurt.
Oil and Vinegar Based Dressings
Simple vinaigrettes made with oil and vinegar also work nicely with shrimp without overwhelming it. Try these tasty shrimp salad dressing combos:
- Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, shallot, garlic, salt, pepper
- Walnut oil, rice wine vinegar, lemon zest, salt, pepper
- Avocado oil, champagne vinegar, salt, pepper, dash of sugar
- Grapeseed oil, white wine vinegar, orange zest, salt, pepper
- Olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, parsley, tomato, salt, pepper
The clean, light taste of oil and vinegar dresses shrimp salad without masking the star ingredient. Infuse the oil with garlic, herbs, citrus, or spices to amp up the flavor.
Putting it All Together
While we highlighted specific dressing varieties, don’t be afraid to mix and match flavors too. For example, a creamy dill-anchovy dressing or an orange ginger vinaigrette with shallots and Dijon mustard.
Get creative with your own fusion shrimp salad dressings. Just be sure to balance the shrimp’s delicateness with the other stronger dressing ingredients.
When prepping your salad, dress the shrimp lightly while they are still warm or at room temperature to allow the flavors to mingle. Chilling the dressed shrimp salad in the fridge before serving allows the tastes to further develop.
With so many options, you’re sure to find the perfect salad dressing match for plump, juicy shrimp. From citrus to herbs to creaminess, use these suggestions to guide you toward shrimp salad dressings that make your shrimp shine.
Ways To Serve Cold Shrimp Salad
This cold shrimp salad is crazy good on its own. But make each bite even more exciting with the serving ideas below. Wrap it up, layer it into a sandwich, or top it on a flatbread. Honestly, just enjoy it however you like!.
- Wraps made of lettuce: I love making lettuce cups with butter leaf lettuce. Romaine lettuce works too!.
- Tortilla wrap: Layer baby spinach on top of a tortilla. Then put some of this shrimp salad on top and roll it up like a wrap.
- Sandwich: Put this on a flatbread and top it with microgreens.
I will say this shrimp salad tastes the best when it’s freshly made. But it will also keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
Pro tip: Don’t leave this salad sitting on the countertop for too long at room temperature. The mayonnaise could spoil more quickly!.
How To Make This Creamy Shrimp Salad
Fresh and easy meals are just what we need for the summer months. And good news – this shrimp salad recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. Yep, it’s that fast. Who doesn’t love that?.
Make the dressing. Stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and zest, dill, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. Then set aside.
Boil the shrimp. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the shrimp, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. The shrimp should be pink and opaque!.
Prep the ice water bath. While the shrimp are cooking, prep an ice water bath. Use a skimmer to remove the shrimp and transfer them to the ice water bath. Let the shrimp cool for 3 minutes or so, then drain them in a colander.
Mix up the salad. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cooled shrimp, red onion, celery, and dressing.
SHRIMP SALAD | the easy “must make” summer salad recipe
What dressing goes with shrimp?
Honey mustard dressing is a great choice to pair with shrimp! This tangy, sweet, and savory dressing can take your salad to the next level. The combination of honey and Dijon mustard creates an amazing flavor that complements the shrimp perfectly.
What type of salad dressing is suitable for diabetes?
A suitable salad dressing for people with diabetes can be with lemon juice and oil. Honey and dressings are not recommended as they have a high sugar content.
What can I add to a shrimp salad?
The key is adding lots of fresh herbs to the salad including mint, basil, parsley, chives, and dill. It’s so good when paired with the creamy avocado and sweet poached shrimp. Since the salad itself has so much going on, it calls for a really simple dressing like this lemon vinaigrette.
What can I substitute for shrimp in a salad?
If you don’t like shrimp, you can always substitute tuna, chicken, salmon, steak, or tofu in the salad. I really recommend buying all fresh herbs for this salad but if you need to cut back on costs, you can use dried dill and chives. Just reduce the amount you use and add them to the dressing instead of directly to the salad.