Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Salad with Watercress
Fresh shrimp tossed in a bright citrus dressing, served atop peppery watercress with garden vegetables. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 26 minutes pairs shrimp, orange juice, 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 4, 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 shrimp
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 4 cups watercress
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1/4 cup red onion
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk together orange juice, lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp honey in a bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine watercress, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and sliced red onion.
- Step 4: Add cooled shrimp and the reserved marinade to the bowl. Toss gently until evenly distributed and coated. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Salad with Watercress take to make?
Total time is about 26 minutes (20 min prep + 6 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 Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Salad with Watercress?
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 shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Salad with Watercress?
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 Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Salad with Watercress for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Salad with Watercress?
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
- ★★★★★
Perfect salads recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
