Kick those boring salads to the curb and create this Cold Cajun Shrimp Salad! Filled with plump Cajun shrimp, loaded with fresh veggies in an herbed cream sauce, your guests will go wild!
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Growing up, I would beg to tag along with my Mom to a party or event. Being a kid foodie, these events were the highlight of my life! It was the perfect opportunity to try refreshment style foods and the latest community recipes. True party crashers!
This shrimp salad takes me back to those days! Simple and classic meals packed with flavor. My Grandmother and Mom would make this salad and it’s one of those meals you’d scrape the bowl down to the last drop!
I upgraded the cold shrimp salad by simmering the shrimp in Old Bay, butter and lemon juice, added fresh veggies and tossed it in a herbed cream sauce, yikes! Looking for more tasty appetizers? Try these out below.
Tips for the best Cold Cajun Shrimp Salad
- Use medium to large sized shrimp that are raw.
- Do not overcook shrimp. Cook for 3-5 minutes constantly flipping.
- Serve shrimp salad cold.
- Substitute for mayo with plain greek yogurt.
- Use any veggies on hand, any will work!
- Reserve extra veggies and herbs to use for garnish.
- Don't have dry ranch seasoning? Use this homemade recipe by Becky!
How to prepare Cold Cajun Shrimp Salad
In a large skillet on medium to high heat, add butter and allow to melt. Add shrimp and begin to saute'.
Next, add Old Bay seasoning and lemon juice and continue to saute' until shrimp are cooked through.
Roughly chop (small dice) celery, red onion, red pepper, cucumber and dill and set aside until assembly. Chop dill and parsley and set aside.
Herbed Cream Dressing
In a small bowl, combine mayo, dry ranch seasoning, Old Bay, lemon juice and fresh herbs (dill and parsley). Whisk until thoroughly combined and set aside until assembly.
Assembling the Cold Cajun Shrimp Salad
In a medium sized bowl, combine cajun buttered shrimp, chopped veggies and 1-2 tablespoons of salad dressing. Begin to stir and add more dressing as needed.
Cold Cajun Shrimp Salad
Ingredients
Cajun Better Lemon Shrimp
- 1.5-2 lbs Raw Shrimp
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- ½ Lemon
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
Additional Ingredients
- 2 sticks Celery roughly chopped
- ½ cup Red Onion roughly chopped
- ½ cup Red Pepper roughly chopped
- ½ cup Cucumber roughly chopped
Herb Cream Dressing
- 3 tablespoon Mayo
- 1 teaspoon Dill
- 1 teaspoon Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Ranch Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ½ Lemon Juice
Instructions
Cajun Butter Lemon Shrimp
- In a large skillet on medium to high heat, add butter and allow to melt.
- Add shrimp and begin to saute'.
- Add Old Bay seasoning and lemon juice and continue to saute' until shrimp are cooked through being careful not to over cook.
- After shrimp has cooled if shrimp needs to be de-shelled, do so then.
- Once shrimp are cooked through, set aside and allow to cool while prepping veggies and dressing.
Additional Ingredients
- Roughly chop (small dice) celery, red onion, red pepper, cucumber and dill. Set aside until assembly.
- Chop dill and parsley and set aside.
Herb Cream Dressing
- In a small bowl, combine mayo, dry ranch seasoning, Old Bay, lemon juice and fresh herbs (dill and parsley). Whisk until combined and set aside until assembly.
Cold Cajun Shrimp Salad Assembly
- In a medium sized bowl, combine cajun buttered shrimp, chopped veggies and 1-2 tablespoons of salad dressing. Begin to stir and add more dressing as needed.
- Top with any leftover veggies or fresh herbs and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and enjoy!
Eileen Gray says
This looks delicious. Sauteing the shrimp in Old Bay should infuse so much more flavor than steaming. Can't wait to try it.
Carita says
Yes! It's so refreshing and delicious!