Description
A vibrant and easy-to-make Shrimp Caesar Salad featuring succulent, seasoned shrimp cooked to perfection, crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy homemade croutons, and a creamy, flavorful Caesar dressing made from scratch. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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
For the Salad
- 8 cups chopped romaine hearts (about 2 to 3)
- 1 recipe Homemade Croutons (or purchased)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shavings
For the Caesar Dressing
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced or grated
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
- ¾ cup high quality mayonnaise (or ¼ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup Greek yogurt, and 1 tablespoon olive oil)
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon anchovy paste or Worcestershire sauce (or omit)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Caesar dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, mayonnaise (or mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and olive oil mix), Dijon mustard, anchovy paste or Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Continue whisking until the dressing is creamy and smooth. Store any leftovers in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Season and cook the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp with kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin. Mix until the shrimp are evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the shrimp. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, turning with tongs, until the shrimp are just opaque and cooked through.
- Assemble the salad: Place the chopped romaine hearts in a large salad bowl. Add the croutons, Parmesan cheese shavings, and desired amount of Caesar dressing. Toss well to coat all the greens evenly.
- Serve: Divide the salad among plates or bowls and top each serving with warm, cooked shrimp. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute anchovy paste with Worcestershire sauce or omit it if preferred.
- Use homemade croutons for better flavor and crunch, or store-bought for convenience.
- Adjust the seasoning on the shrimp as per taste preference for heat or smokiness.
- Leftover dressing can be refrigerated for up to one week in a sealed container.
- For a lighter dressing, use the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt mix instead of all mayonnaise.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
