This easy shrimp salad is about to become your favorite summer recipe! It’s made from chilled shrimp tossed with crisp red onion in a creamy dressing with Old Bay seasoning. So simple, yet irresistibly good!

Looking for more easy, creamy salad recipes? Try my avocado chicken salad, too.

 

This shrimp salad recipe is about as easy and tasty as summer dishes get. Juicy cooked shrimp and crispy red onions get tossed in a simple mayo dressing that’s loaded with flavor thanks to Old Bay seasoning. It’s just begging to be spooned into a fluffy roll! This classic shrimp salad is one recipe you’ll have on repeat all summer long.

Why You’ll Love This Classic Shrimp Salad Recipe

• Fresh flavors. Chilled cocktail shrimp, crispy red onions, and tangy vinegar bring lots of tasty freshness to this creamy salad recipe.
• Easy ingredients. With only 5 ingredients, this classic shrimp salad with mayonnaise is quick to make. It’s ready for serving in minutes!
• Versatile. Serve your salad in sandwiches for lunch, roll it up in a wrap, or spoon it over crackers as a light snack.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need 5 ingredients to make this easy seafood salad. Scroll to the recipe card below the post for a printable list of ingredients. 

• Shrimp – Frozen salad shrimp, thawed and drained well. You can use any size of shrimp you’d like.
• Red Onion – Finely chopped. You can also use another mild onion, like white onion, green onion, or chives.
• Mayonnaise – For a lighter option, substitute mayo with plain yogurt.
• Vinegar – I use white wine vinegar, but any variety works. Use red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even distilled white vinegar.
• Seasoning – Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Old Bay seasoning is a blend of celery salt, paprika, and a handful of other herbs and spices that go deliciously with seafood. If you can’t get your hands on Old Bay, Cajun seasoning is a good substitute. 

Is Salad Shrimp Already Cooked?

Yes. Salad shrimp, a.k.a. cocktail shrimp or cold water shrimp, come pre-cooked and cleaned. All you need to do is thaw them out and enjoy! Salad shrimp is super versatile, and great to use in recipes beyond salads, from sandwiches to dips, and more.

How to Make Shrimp Salad

Making this juicy shrimp salad couldn’t be easier. Here’s a short step-by-step. Scroll down to the recipe card for printable recipe instructions. 

• Prepare the shrimp. First, you’ll want to spread the thawed and drained shrimp out on a baking sheet and pat them dry with paper towels. 
• Make the dressing. Next, whisk together the mayo, vinegar, and seasonings for the dressing.
• Combine. Add your shrimp and red onion to the dressing, and toss to coat.

Recipe Tips

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s just as simple to pull together whether you’re a kitchen whiz or a beginner cook. These are my tips and tricks for the best shrimp salad:

• Dry the shrimp well. Make sure that you thoroughly pat dry the thawed shrimp using paper towels before combining it with the dressing. Otherwise, your salad will be watery.
• Can I use raw shrimp? If you’re making this recipe with raw shrimp, you’ll need to peel the shrimp, remove the tail, and cook it first. I recommend boiling the shrimp on the stove for 2-3 minutes.
• Serve right away. This salad is best enjoyed fresh after it’s made. The shrimp tends to get a little rubbery over time.

Easy Variations

Try these fun and flavorful ways to change up this classic recipe:

• Veggies. Bulk up your salad with diced celery, green peas, or shredded carrots.
• Fresh herbs. Build on the flavors in this salad by adding fresh herbs like chopped dill, basil, or parsley.
• Pasta. Toss your finished salad with cooked pasta for an easy shrimp pasta salad. Choose a short-cut pasta, like penne, shells, or fusilli, and cook it according to the package directions.
• Avocado. Stir in chopped avocado for a shrimp avocado salad. 
• Citrus. Add 1-2 spoonfuls of freshly squeezed lemon juice (or lime juice) to brighten the flavors. You can also sprinkle in lemon zest.

What to Serve With Shrimp Salad

Our favorite way to serve shrimp salad is in a shrimp salad sandwich. Spoon the shrimp into a fluffy sandwich roll, topped with diced avocado or sliced tomato. Enjoy it with a side of crispy potato chips and fresh fruit or green salad, and a tall glass of peach lemonade to wash it all down. It’s summer on a plate! This creamy shrimp is also great rolled into a wrap or served as a topping for crackers, tostadas, and bruschetta.

How to Store Leftovers

This salad tastes the best on the day it’s made. However, you can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

More Shrimp Recipes

• Chipotle Shrimp Tacos 
• Air Fryer Shrimp 
• Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Easy Shrimp Cakes
• Crispy Oven Fried Shrimp

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