This quick and easy Lime Cilantro Shrimp Salad recipe is filled with tender, succulent shrimp and fresh crisp veggies. It's tossed in a homemade lime cilantro dressing that's cool, creamy, and completely irresistible.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Shrimp Salad Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Shrimp Salad
• 🔪 How to Make Shrimp Salad
• 💡 Tips for Making Shrimp Salad
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 Delicious Ways to Serve Shrimp Salad
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Buy Precooked Shrimp Instead?
• How Many Shrimp are in a Pound?
• Is This Shrimp Salad Spicy?
• Is Shrimp Salad Healthy?
• 🍽️ More Savory Salad Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Shrimp Salad Recipe

• Tender, succulent shrimp
• Cool crisp cucumbers, red onion and peppers
• Tossed in a lime cilantro dressing
• Serve over a salad or lettuce cups
• Quick and easy, low-carb lunch or dinner

This creamy shrimp salad is a great, light, and refreshing main dish that combines plump shrimp with a medley of fresh veggies. Everything gets tossed in a homemade zesty lime cilantro dressing that adds an incredible burst of flavor.

It’s not only the mouth-watering flavors that make this dish so special, it’s the wonderful textures. The shrimp are tender and juicy, while the cucumbers and bell peppers are cool and crisp. It’s simply an amazing, healthy, and versatile salad for any occasion.

Main dish salads are a lifesaver, especially during the hot summer months. If you're looking for other ideas, you should also try this Italian Pasta Salad and this Chickpea Salad.

🛒 Ingredients for Shrimp Salad

• Shrimp
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Cucumber
• Jalapeño pepper
• Red onion
• Cilantro
• Chives
• Lime
• Garlic
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Saucepan

🔪 How to Make Shrimp Salad

In a small mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, grated garlic, salt, pepper, lime zest, and juice.

Whisk until well combined, then set aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the shrimp.

Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the shrimp.

Cook for about 2–3 minutes, or until they just turn pink and opaque.  While the shrimp are cooking, get a bowl with ice water ready.

Remove the shrimp and plunge them into the ice water to stop them from cooking any further. Once they have cooled, add them to a mixing bowl.

Finely chop the cucumber, red onion, and jalapeño pepper, then add them to the bowl with the shrimp.

Add in the chopped cilantro, chives, and the reserved dressing.

Toss until everything is well combined and all of the shrimp are coated in the dressing.

Chill the shrimp salad in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.  You can add a scoop to a salad or serve it in butter lettuce cups.

💡 Tips for Making Shrimp Salad

• Quality shrimp: Choose fresh shrimp that are domestic, wild-caught shrimp if possible. Avoid shrimp with a strong "shrimpy" or ammonia-like smell, as well as those with a slimy or soft texture.

• Easy-peel: Look for easy-peel shrimp. These shrimp have shells that are sliced down the back, which makes them go much faster.  You can also buy shrimp that are peeled and deveined, but they are often more expensive.

• Prep ahead: Prepare the lime cilantro dressing ahead of time to let the flavors meld.

• Avoid overcooking: Be mindful not to overcook the shrimp; they only need a few minutes to turn pink and opaque. Plunge them into ice water promptly to stop the cooking process.

• Chill the salad: Let the shrimp salad chill in the fridge before serving. Giving the flavors time to meld is important.

☑️ Storage Instructions

You can store leftover shrimp salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.

🍴 Delicious Ways to Serve Shrimp Salad

• Over salad greens: Serve the lime cilantro shrimp salad over a bed of fresh salad greens like arugula, spinach, or mixed greens.

• Lettuce cups: Scoop the shrimp salad into crisp lettuce cups, such as butter lettuce or romaine leaves.

• Avocado halves: Spoon the shrimp salad into halved avocados for a nutritious and fun twist.

• Pita pockets: Stuff the shrimp salad into whole-grain pita pockets for a fun, portable option, perfect for a quick lunch.

• Sandwich: Create a shrimp salad sandwich by spreading the mixture onto a buttery croissant, a crusty baguette, or between two slices of this healthy Homemade Bread.

• Wrap: Roll up the shrimp salad in one of these Homemade Tortillas.

• Cracker: Serve small portions of the shrimp salad on crackers like these Homemade Ranch Crackers.

• Mixed with quinoa or pasta: Mix the shrimp salad with cooked quinoa or pasta for a heartier meal.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Seafood: Add cooked, jumbo lump crab meat or tender flaked tuna to the shrimp mixture.

• Other veggies: Diced celery, bell peppers, cooked sweet peas, or blanched asparagus tips are all great additions.

• Creamy dressing: You can swap the lime dressing with Homemade Ranch, Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing, or any of your favorite creamy and tangy dressings.

• Other fresh herbs: Feel free to experiment with fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or mint.

• Other tasty add-ins: Change up the flavors and textures with sliced hard-boiled eggs, tangy artichokes or olives, or diced dill pickles.

Can I Buy Precooked Shrimp Instead?

While it is possible, I think cooking the shrimp from scratch gives them the most flavor and the best texture.

How Many Shrimp are in a Pound?

It all depends on the size. Here is a general rule of thumb:

• Jumbo: 21/25
• Extra Large: 26/30
• Large: 31/35 
• Medium: 41/50              
• Small: 51/60

Is This Shrimp Salad Spicy?

It has a little kick from fresh jalapeños. You can leave them out if you prefer. If you'd like to add even more heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

Is Shrimp Salad Healthy?

It sure is! First off, the shrimp packs a punch of lean protein, making it a satisfying and low-calorie choice that won't weigh you down.

The addition of veggies like Persian cucumber, red onion, cilantro, and chives brings in a mix of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The dressing does not include any added sugar and is made with all healthy, wholesome ingredients.

🍽️ More Savory Salad Recipes

• Panzanella Salad
• Chickpea Salad
• Mediterranean Chopped Salad
• Greek Salmon Salad
• Watermelon Feta Salad