Published: Aug 28, 2023 · Last Updated: Aug 28, 2023 by Dr. Sonali Ruder · This post may contain affiliate links · 33 Comments

Grilled Shrimp Salad

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This Grilled Shrimp Salad is all about easy preparation and big flavors, making it the perfect go-to dish for warm weather days. This simple and colorful salad celebrates the taste of summer with every forkful. Make it in under 30 minutes!

Grilled Shrimp Salad in a white bowl surrounded by a gray napkin

Summer calls for vibrant and refreshing dishes, and this Grilled Shrimp Salad is here to answer that call! Imagine a large bowl filled with juicy grilled shrimp and colorful fruits and vegetables, all tossed together with a zesty cilantro vinaigrette. It's a wholesome, balanced, and utterly satisfying dish that's a celebration of summer's finest ingredients.

Salads like this grilled shrimp salad are the perfect summer meal. They're hearty and satisfying, yet light enough to keep you energized without weighing you down. Some of my other favorites are my Santa Fe salad (Southwest Chicken Salad), summer citrus salad with grilled chicken, and quinoa salad with spinach and strawberries.

I love how easy this grilled shrimp salad is to make. It's the perfect salad whether you need a quick lunch or light and satisfying dinner. Its components also hold up remarkably well, making it an excellent dish for meal prep.

I season fresh shrimp with spices and grill them to perfection. Then I toss them with fresh salad greens, tomatoes, creamy avocado, and sweet mango, which gives this tasty salad a tropical twist.

And of course, no salad is complete without a stellar dressing. My easy cilantro lime dressing is light and refreshing, and ties all of the salad components together perfectly.

With its big, bold flavors and medley of fresh ingredients, this is the perfect summer salad!

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Dish
Ingredients
How To Make Grilled Shrimp Salad Step-By-Step
Chef's Tips
Recipe FAQs
More Tasty Salads
Recipe
Reviews

Why You'll Love This Dish

Fresh- this summer salad is made with a medley of colorful, fresh ingredients
Healthy- packed with lean protein, nutrient-rich fruits and veggies, fiber, and healthy fats
Quick and Easy- this grilled shrimp salad is so easy to make in under 30 minutes!
Tasty- packed with flavor from boldly seasoned shrimp and a zingy cilantro vinaigrette
Versatile- equally suitable for a light dinner or lunch the next day; this fresh salad is perfect for meal prep

Ingredients

Ingredient notes and substitutions (see recipe card at end of post for full ingredient list and amounts):

Shrimp- I use large peeled and deveined shrimp
Spices- I season the shrimp with a combination of chili powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper
Fresh cilantro- the star of the vinaigrette; if you don't like cilantro, you can substitute parsley
Lime juice- fresh lime juice brightens up the salad dressing
Salad greens- I use mixed greens in this recipe but you can also use romaine lettuce, baby spinach or arugula
Mango- diced mango adds a nice tropical sweetness that balances the spices in the shrimp
Avocado- slices of creamy avocado add a richness and healthy fats to this salad
Cherry tomatoes- you can use cherry or grape tomatoes; I used a colorful medley of cherry tomatoes for these photos

How To Make Grilled Shrimp Salad Step-By-Step

See recipe card at end of post for full recipe instructions.

Step 1- Toss the shrimp in a large mixing bowl with the olive oil and spices.
Step 2- To make the dressing, place olive oil, lime juice, mustard, honey, cilantro, and a pinch of salt and black pepper in a jar with a lid. Close the lid and shake until combined.
Step 3- Heat your grill or grill pan to medium high and brush grill grate with oil. Grill the shrimp about 2 minutes on each side until cooked. If desired, you can thread the shrimp onto metal or wooden skewers first.
Step 4- Arrange the salad ingredients in a bowl. Then, top with the grilled shrimp and drizzle with the cilantro lime vinaigrette. Dive in!

Chef's Tips

Buy shrimp that has been peeled and deveined- this will save you a lot of time in the kitchen.
I season the shrimp with dried spices but you could also use a marinade like my Mexican chicken marinade.
If you're using a grill, you can skewer the shrimp on wooden or metal skewers first to make it easier to turn them and prevent them from falling through the grates. If you're using a stovetop grill pan, you don't need to skewer them.
If using wooden skewers, soak the skewers in cold water for 20 minutes first to prevent them from getting scorched.
Brush the grill rack with oil to prevent the shrimp from sticking.
Don't overcook the shrimp. All you need is around 2 minutes on each side to get perfect, succulent shrimp. Overcooked shrimp are rubbery and tough.
Customize this grilled shrimp salad with your favorite ingredients. Red onion or green onions, bell pepper, fresh corn, and black beans are all good options.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving to prevent the greens from getting soggy.
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Store the dressing separately from the rest of the salad to retain the crispness of the greens.

Check out my Amazon Store for more of my favorite Grilling Essentials!

Recipe FAQs

Can you grill shrimp directly on a grill?

Yes, you can grill shrimp directly on a grill. Just make sure to properly season and oil the shrimp before placing them on the grill grates to prevent sticking. You can also thread the shrimp onto skewers before grilling to make it easier to turn them and to prevent them from falling through the grates.

How do you keep shrimp moist on the grill?

To keep shrimp moist on the grill, marinate them beforehand in olive oil or a flavorful marinade, and avoid overcooking them. Grill them for about 2 minutes on each side until they just turn opaque and pink. Overcooked shrimp are rubbery and tough.

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Dr. Sonali Ruder

Meet Dr. Sonali Ruder aka The Foodie Physician- ER doctor, chef, culinary creator & mom.

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