Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp Salad

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

🦐 Shrimp

1 lb (450g) raw shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
½ tsp paprika
Salt & black pepper (to taste)
Juice of ½ lemon

🥗 Salad Base

1 cup cucumber (diced)
½ cup red bell pepper (diced)
½ cup celery (finely chopped)
¼ cup red onion (finely chopped)
2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
1 tbsp fresh dill (optional but recommended)

🥣 Creamy Dressing

½ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 small garlic clove (minced)
Salt & pepper (to taste)

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Shrimp

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
Add garlic and sauté for 20–30 seconds.
Add shrimp, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
Squeeze lemon juice over shrimp and let cool completely.

2. Prepare the Veggies

Dice cucumber, bell pepper, celery, and onion.
Add to a large mixing bowl with parsley and dill.

3. Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, zest, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.

4. Assemble the Salad

Add cooled shrimp to the veggie bowl.
Pour dressing over everything.
Gently toss until evenly coated.

5. Chill & Serve

Refrigerate for at least 20–30 minutes (best flavor!).
Garnish with extra herbs and a squeeze of lemon before serving.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

Serve in lettuce wraps 🥬
Spoon over avocado halves 🥑
Enjoy with crackers or toast
Great for meal prep lunches

🔥 Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)

Calories: 260–300
Protein: 28g
Carbs: 6–8g
Fat: 14–16g
Fiber: 1–2g

👉 Low-carb, high-protein, and very filling!

Q&A / Tips

Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes! Just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.

Q: Can I make it ahead?
Absolutely—tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge. Best within 2 days.

Q: Can I skip mayo?
Yes—replace with more Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

Q: How do I keep it from getting watery?
Remove seeds from cucumber and pat veggies dry before mixing.

Q: Can I add extras?
Yes! Try:

Avocado
Boiled eggs
Corn
Pasta (to turn it into shrimp pasta salad)

Q: Is it good for weight loss?
Yes—high protein keeps you full, and it’s naturally low in carbs.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.