Garlic Shrimp Salad Recipe
This Garlic Shrimp Salad is a fresh, vibrant and protein-packed dish made with juicy garlic-seasoned shrimp, crisp lettuce, creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes and a zesty homemade lemon dressing. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's the perfect healthy lunch or light dinner that's bursting with flavour and easy enough for any day of the week.
Equipment
- 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife Essential for safely chopping vegetables and preparing the shrimp.
- 1 Large Chopping Board: Provides a sturdy workspace for slicing and dicing ingredients.
- 1 Large Non-Stick Frying Pan Or Skillet Perfect for cooking the shrimp evenly without sticking.
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl Used for combining all the fresh salad ingredients.
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl Ideal for whisking together the lemon garlic dressing.
- Measuring Cups And Measuring Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient measurements for consistent results.
- Kitchen Tongs: Make tossing the salad and turning the shrimp quick and easy.
- 1 Citrus Juicer – Helps extract fresh lemon juice efficiently.
- 1 Whisk Blends the dressing into a smooth, well-emulsified mixture.
- 1 Large Serving Platter or Salad Bowl – Beautifully presents your finished Garlic Shrimp Salad for family meals or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 900 g Large Shrimp - Peeled and Deveined
- 6 Cloves Garlic - Minced
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil - Extra Virgin
- 2 Large Lemons - Juiced
- 2 Large Heads Romaine Lettuce - Chopped
- 150 g Mixed Salad Leaves –
- 2 Large Avocados - Diced
- 250 g Cherry Tomatoes - Halved
- 1 Large Cucumber - Sliced
- 1 Small Red Onion - Thinly Sliced
- 150 g Sweetcorn Kernels –
- 1 Red Bell Pepper - Thinly Sliced
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper - Thinly Sliced
- 3 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley - Chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill - Chopped
- 1½ Teaspoons Sea Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ Teaspoon Chilli Flakes - Optional
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 80 g Crumbled Feta Cheese - Optional
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare The Shrimp
- Pat the shrimp dry with kitchen paper to remove excess moisture. This helps them develop a beautiful golden colour when cooked.
- Place the shrimp in a large bowl and add the minced garlic, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper and chilli flakes (if using).
- Drizzle over 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Toss everything together until every shrimp is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Leave to marinate for 10–15 minutes while you prepare the vegetables. This short marinating time allows the garlic to infuse the shrimp with flavour without overpowering their natural sweetness.
Step 2: Prepare The Salad Vegetables
- Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine lettuce and mixed salad leaves.
- Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large salad bowl.
- Slice the cucumber into thin rounds.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Thinly slice the red and yellow peppers.
- Slice the red onion as thinly as possible.
- Dice the avocados just before assembling the salad to keep them fresh and vibrant.
- Drain the sweetcorn if using canned kernels.
- Chop the parsley and dill.
- Your colourful vegetables are now ready for your delicious Garlic Shrimp Salad.
Step 3: Make The Lemon Garlic Dressing
In a small mixing bowl, combine:
- Fresh lemon juice
- Remaining extra virgin olive oil
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- A small amount of extra minced garlic (optional)
- A pinch of salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Whisk vigorously until the dressing becomes smooth, glossy and well combined.
- A freshly made dressing brings every ingredient in Garlic Shrimp Salad together perfectly.
Step 4: Cook The Shrimp
- Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil.
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, depending on size.
- The shrimp are ready when they turn pink, opaque and lightly golden around the edges.
- Avoid overcooking, as shrimp can quickly become rubbery.
- The perfectly cooked shrimp are the highlight of every memorable Garlic Shrimp Salad.
Step 5: Assemble The Salad
- Add the lettuce, mixed leaves, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, onion and sweetcorn to your serving bowl.
- Gently fold in the diced avocado.
- Sprinkle over the chopped parsley and dill.
- Drizzle about three-quarters of the dressing over the vegetables.
- Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- This creates a colourful foundation for your fresh Garlic Shrimp Salad.
Step 6: Add The Shrimp
- Arrange the warm garlic shrimp evenly over the prepared salad.
- Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese if using.
- Drizzle over the remaining dressing.
- Garnish with additional parsley, dill and a few lemon wedges.
- Your homemade Garlic Shrimp Salad is now ready to serve.
Step 7: Serve Immediately
- Add an extra squeeze of fresh lemon if desired.
- Finish with freshly cracked black pepper.
- Serve immediately while the shrimp remain warm and juicy.
Notes
- 🦐 Use fresh or fully thawed shrimp and pat them dry before cooking to achieve a beautifully golden sear instead of steaming.
- 🧄 Fresh garlic delivers the best flavour and aroma, making a noticeable difference to the finished Garlic Shrimp Salad.
- 🔥 Cook the shrimp for only 2–3 minutes per side to keep them tender and juicy. Overcooking can make them rubbery.
- 🥬 Wash and dry the salad leaves thoroughly to ensure your salad stays crisp and fresh.
- 🥑 Add the avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning and to maintain its creamy texture.
- 🍋 For the brightest flavour, use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled juice in the dressing.
- 🥗 Toss the salad with the dressing immediately before serving to keep the vegetables crisp and vibrant.
- ❄️ Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the dressing separate if possible for the best texture and freshness.