Description
This Shrimp Caesar Salad is a fresh and flavorful twist on the classic Caesar salad, featuring perfectly seasoned and sautéed shrimp served atop crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy homemade croutons, and a creamy, tangy Caesar dressing made from scratch. Ready in just 25 minutes, this satisfying salad blends smoky, savory, and zesty flavors for a light yet protein-packed meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound medium shrimp, deveined (tail on or peeled)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute standard paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Salad
- 8 cups chopped romaine hearts (about 2 to 3 heads)
- 1 recipe Homemade Croutons (or purchased)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shavings
Caesar Dressing
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced or grated
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
- 3/4 cup high quality mayonnaise (or 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, and 1 tablespoon olive oil)
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste or Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make the Caesar Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, mayonnaise (or the mayo-Greek yogurt-olive oil mixture), Dijon mustard, anchovy paste or Worcestershire sauce (if using), kosher salt, and black pepper. Continue whisking until the dressing is creamy and smooth. Transfer any leftovers to a covered jar and refrigerate for up to one week.
- Prepare and Cook the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin until evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the seasoned shrimp, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, turning carefully with tongs, until the shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine hearts, homemade or purchased croutons, and Parmesan cheese shavings. Add your desired amount of Caesar dressing, then toss well to coat all the greens evenly with the dressing.
- Serve: Divide the dressed salad among plates or bowls. Top each serving with the warm cooked shrimp. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- You can use either tails-on or peeled shrimp depending on preference and presentation.
- Smoked paprika adds a nice depth of flavor, but regular paprika is a fine substitute.
- If you prefer a lighter dressing, substitute some mayonnaise with Greek yogurt as noted.
- Anchovy paste can be omitted if you want a milder dressing without the anchovy flavor.
- Homemade croutons elevate the salad’s texture and flavor, but store-bought croutons work well for convenience.
- Serve promptly after assembling to prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy and to enjoy warm shrimp contrast.
