Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best shrimp salad ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Shrimp Salad:
Shrimp – You can make shrimp salad recipes using shrimp of any size, but I prefer medium shrimp (41-50 per pound) so that they are bite-sized. If you have leftover baked shrimp or air fryer shrimp, you can use that and skip the cooking steps below. Otherwise, use medium fresh shrimp or thawed frozen shrimp, and cook as shown below. Celery – Adds crunch. Slice it thinly for the best texture If you’re not a fan, try other crisp veggies such as bell peppers, cucumbers, or fennel. Red Onion – White onion, yellow onion, shallots, or green onions (also known as scallions) would work as well. I diced my onions, but thinly sliced is great, too.
Dressing:
Mayonnaise – I like to use my own homemade avocado oil mayonnaise, but you can use any mayo you prefer. Greek yogurt would also work as a substitute. Lemon Juice – Fresh is always best, but bottled lemon juice works just fine. You could also use lime juice if that’s what you have. Dijon Mustard – Adds a tangy flavor and helps emulsify the dressing. You can substitute it with other types of mustard such as whole grain or spicy brown mustard. Fresh Herbs – I used 2 tablespoons of fresh dill and fresh chives, but if you want an extra herby flavor, use 3 tablespoons of each fresh herb instead. You can also add fresh parsley to your shrimp salad if you like. Old Bay Seasoning – This seafood seasoning blend contains celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, mustard powder, bay leaves, cloves, allspice, and ginger. Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Make Shrimp Salad
This section shows how to make a shrimp salad, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. Chop a few hard boiled eggs into small pieces and mix them into the salad along with the other ingredients.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Give it a stir before serving. Meal prep: Creamy shrimp salad recipes like this one are perfect for meal prep! This dish will store well for an easy lunch you can make ahead and grab right out of the fridge. Freeze: Avoid freezing this salad, as the mayo-based dressing will separate after thawing.
Ways To Serve Shrimp Salad
You can serve shrimp salad in so many ways — as lunch, dinner, or an appetizer! Here are some ways to plate it: Making shrimp salad is super easy, but here are a few tips and notes I found in my testing:
If using frozen shrimp, thaw if you can. This is not required, but it cooks more evenly if you do. If you don’t have time to let the shrimp thaw, just add a few extra minutes to the cook time. You can peel shrimp before or after cooking. If you used shrimp with the shells on, it doesn’t matter if you peel and devein them before or after poaching. Boiling the shrimp is an option, but poaching works better. Poaching shrimp is done with the heat off, whereas boiling leaves the heat on. Both ways work fine, but poaching makes them less prone to overcooking. Reduce the amount of lemon juice if making for later. The dressing gets more runny in the fridge after a day, so if making it for later, reduce lemon juice to 2-3 tablespoons instead. Let the flavors develop in the fridge. If you have time, it’s best to refrigerate the salad for 1 hour to let the flavors develop. However, this is not required and you can totally eat it right away if you like!
Classic Sandwich – Make a quick sandwich on your favorite bread and add a lettuce leaf. I love it on almond flour bread and quick 90-second bread. Lettuce Wraps – Spoon it onto butter lettuce leaves (pictured above) or romaine lettuce. Green Salad – Serve shrimp salad over a bed of arugula, romaine, spinach, or other greens. Sliced tomatoes and avocado make nice additions for this option. Crackers – Use the salad as a dip with your favorite crackers. Try it with flax seed crackers, crisp almond flour crackers, or even cheese crisps. Veggies – For a cracker alternative, consider using cucumber slices, carrots, celery, or peppers. For a more substantial meal, you could add the salad with shrimp to cucumber subs or create a bell pepper sandwich.
More Seafood Salad Recipes
Like seafood, but need to change up the flavor? Try your favorites in these simple recipes: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include optional sea salt.
