Go Back

Shrimp Salad Recipe

If you love dishes that taste like summer — cool, crisp, and ready in 30 minutes — this shrimp salad is for you. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a simple potluck dish. Get ready for your new favorite go-to!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Course: Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 230
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Salad:
  • 1 pound medium shrimp peeled, deveined, and cooked (fresh or previously frozen shrimp)
  • 1/2 cup finely diced celery
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the Creamy Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Optional: a pinch of Old Bay seasoning or smoked paprika

Method
 

  1. Cook the Shrimp (5–8 minutes)
  2. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil with a generous pinch of salt.
  3. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until pink and opaque.
  4. Drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking.
  5. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  6. Make the Creamy Dressing (2 minutes)
  7. In a large bowl, whisk together:
  8. Mayonnaise
  9. Dijon mustard
  10. Fresh lemon juice
  11. Lemon zest
  12. Old Bay or smoked paprika, if using
  13. Pinch of salt and pepper
  14. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  15. Toss & Chill (5 minutes + chill time)
  16. Add cooked shrimp, celery, red onion, dill, and parsley to the bowl.
  17. Gently fold until the shrimp are well coated.
  18. Cover and chill for at least 20 minutes for best flavor.

Notes

✅ Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: They should be just opaque and tender — overcooked shrimp turn rubbery.
✅ Dry Well: Pat shrimp dry to avoid watery dressing.
✅ Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh dill makes all the difference — dried doesn’t compare!
✅ Chill Before Serving: A quick chill helps the flavors meld beautifully.
✅ Add a Crunch: A handful of diced cucumber or green onion adds extra freshn