Chilled Shrimp Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
A refreshing salad of sweet shrimp and crisp vegetables in a bright, low-acid dressing made with gentle citrus notes. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, olive oil, lemon juice into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup, thinly sliced cucumber
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook shrimp in a skillet with 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and pink, then immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking.
- Step 2: Drain shrimp and pat dry. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until salt dissolves.
- Step 3: Add diced red onion, sliced cucumber, and chopped dill to the bowl, tossing gently to coat. Add drained shrimp and toss again until evenly distributed.
- Step 4: Chill salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold, ensuring the dressing is well distributed but not overly wet.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Shrimp Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (20 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chilled Shrimp Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Shrimp Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chilled Shrimp Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chilled Shrimp Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 5-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
