If you’re craving a salad that’s both a feast for your eyes and your taste buds, the Classic Shrimp Louie Salad Recipe is your perfect match. This vibrant and fresh salad brings together plump, luscious shrimp with crisp romaine, creamy avocado, and bright, juicy cherry tomatoes, all drizzled with the iconic, tangy Louie dressing. It’s a celebration of simple ingredients that harmonize to create a dish bursting with flavor, color, and texture. Whether you’re entertaining guests or treating yourself on a sunny afternoon, this salad feels like a little taste of California sunshine on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this salad is a breeze because each one plays a crucial role in creating that perfect balance of freshness, creaminess, and zest. These essentials are easy to find, yet they come together to build layers of flavor and texture that make this dish unforgettable.
- 1 pound cooked medium shrimp (peeled and deveined): The star protein, tender and juicy, gives the salad its seafood soul.
- 1 head romaine lettuce (chopped): Provides a crisp, refreshing base with a satisfying crunch.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved): Adds bursts of sweetness and vibrant red color.
- 2 hard-boiled eggs (sliced): Brings a creamy richness and subtle earthiness.
- 1 avocado (sliced): Creamy and buttery, it mellows and enriches every bite.
- ½ cup cucumber (sliced): Offers a cool, crisp bite to balance the richness.
- ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced): Brings a mild sharpness and a bit of crunch for contrast.
- ½ cup Louie dressing: The tangy, zesty sauce that ties everything together perfectly (recipe below).
- Lemon wedges for serving: A bright citrus finish you can squeeze over to lift all the flavors.
How to Make Classic Shrimp Louie Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Base
Start by chopping the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and spreading it out on a large serving platter or on individual plates. This green bed provides a fresh, crunchy canvas that lets all the delicious toppings shine.
Step 2: Layer the Toppings
Next, arrange the cooked shrimp evenly over the lettuce, making sure each serving will get plenty of that sweet, briny seafood goodness. Then add the halved cherry tomatoes, followed by the slices of hard-boiled egg, creamy avocado, cucumber, and red onion. The layering adds a gorgeous range of colors and textures that’s as pretty as it is tasty.
Step 3: Drizzle with Louie Dressing
Finally, drizzle the Louie dressing over the entire salad just before serving, or serve it on the side if some prefer to add their own. The dressing is a luscious blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, and lemon juice that elevates the salad with a tangy, slightly sweet kick.
How to Serve Classic Shrimp Louie Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Don’t forget the lemon wedges! Squeezing fresh lemon juice over the salad just before eating adds a bright, zesty note that perfectly balances the richness of the avocado and eggs and enhances the shrimp’s natural sweetness.
Side Dishes
This salad stands beautifully on its own but pairs wonderfully with crusty sourdough bread or a light, chilled garlic bread. For a fuller meal, try serving alongside grilled asparagus or a simple chilled soup like gazpacho to keep things fresh and vibrant.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress, try serving the Classic Shrimp Louie Salad Recipe in individual glass bowls to showcase all the colorful layers. Or use lettuce cups as edible “bowls” for a fun, low-carb alternative that’s perfect for parties or lunch gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The shrimp and vegetables stay fresh for up to two days, but the lettuce may start to wilt, so it’s best to enjoy it promptly.
Freezing
Because this salad is full of fresh veggies, avocado, and cooked shrimp, freezing is not recommended. The texture and flavor don’t hold up well to freezing and thawing, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Reheating
This salad is designed to be served cold and crisp, so reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. If you want warm shrimp, serve the salad tossed fresh with room temperature or chilled shrimp and simply warm the protein separately.
FAQs
Can I use fresh shrimp instead of cooked shrimp?
Absolutely! Just be sure to cook the shrimp thoroughly before adding them to the salad. Boil, grill, or sauté them until they turn pink and opaque, then cool before assembling the salad.
What can I substitute for Louie dressing?
If you don’t have Louie dressing on hand, a simple combination of mayonnaise mixed with a squeeze of lemon juice, a touch of ketchup, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce can work as a quick alternative, but for the authentic taste, making the classic Louie dressing is worth it.
Can I add other veggies to this salad?
Yes! Bell peppers, radishes, or even some fresh corn kernels make excellent additions that add extra crunch and sweetness without overpowering the salad’s delicate balance.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
You can prep the ingredients in advance and store them separately, but it’s best to assemble the salad just before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.
Can I use crab instead of shrimp?
Definitely! Crab is a classic alternative in a Louie salad and pairs wonderfully with the dressing, giving the dish a slightly different but equally delightful seafood twist.
Final Thoughts
This Classic Shrimp Louie Salad Recipe is a timeless delight that brings together fresh, wholesome ingredients with an irresistibly zesty dressing. It’s simple to prepare yet impressive enough for any occasion, making it one of those recipes you’ll want to keep handy for easy, satisfying meals. Give it a try and enjoy a refreshing bite of sunshine that feels like a coastal escape on your plate.
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Classic Shrimp Louie Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic Shrimp Louie Salad is a fresh and vibrant American seafood salad featuring cooked medium shrimp, crisp romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, creamy avocado, cucumber, and red onion, all dressed with a tangy, flavorful Louie dressing. Quick to prepare and served chilled, this salad makes a perfect light meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 head romaine lettuce (chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs (sliced)
- 1 avocado (sliced)
- ½ cup cucumber (sliced)
- ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- lemon wedges for serving
Louie Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Arrange the chopped romaine lettuce as a fresh, crisp base on a large serving platter or on individual plates.
- Add the toppings: Evenly distribute the cooked shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced hard-boiled eggs, sliced avocado, cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion over the lettuce.
- Drizzle the dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared Louie dressing over the salad or serve the dressing on the side for guests to add as desired.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the salad with lemon wedges to add a fresh citrus brightness when squeezed over the top. Serve the salad chilled for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Louie dressing can be made by whisking mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, prepared horseradish, and fresh lemon juice together and chilling before use.
- For variation, substitute crab meat for shrimp or add extra vegetables like bell peppers for additional crunch and flavor.
