Vietnamese-Inspired Shrimp Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing Whole30-friendly shrimp salad bursting with bright lime dressing, crunchy vegetables, and fragrant fresh herbs, perfect for a light lunch or dinner. This vietnamese-inspired whole30 (whole30, gluten free) ready in about 16 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, sea salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sauté in the hot oil for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes until combined.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 julienned large carrot, 1 thinly sliced medium cucumber, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
  4. Step 4: Add the cooked shrimp to the salad bowl and drizzle with the lime dressing. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Shrimp Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 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 Vietnamese-Inspired Shrimp Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Inspired Shrimp Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs?

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 Vietnamese-Inspired Shrimp Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs 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.

Is Vietnamese-Inspired Shrimp Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free, dairy free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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