Make this refreshing Italian shrimp salad for your next party! Packed with juicy shrimp, olives, and celery, it’s the perfect high-protein, healthy appetizer.
Shrimp Salad Recipe
Whenever I’m getting ready for a party or family gathering, shrimp salad is always my first choice. It’s light, refreshing, and so easy to make. This Italian-style version is fantastic with its tender shrimp, tangy olives, and crunchy celery. It’s the perfect way to add a healthy touch with a Mediterranean twist. Plus, it tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge, so you can make it ahead of time and enjoy your event stress-free.
Ingredients for Four People
Cooking Instructions
1. In a big mixing bowl, add the shrimp, celery, olives, red onion, garlic, and parsley.
2. Pour the olive oil and fresh lemon juice over the salad, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Toss everything well and place the salad in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) to let the flavors blend beautifully. Once it’s nicely chilled and full of flavor, give it another mix, and it’s ready to serve!
Tips and Tricks
- Cut the Shrimp in Half: Cutting the shrimp in half helps the dressing soak in better, so every bite is full of flavor.
- Make Ahead: This salad is perfect for making the night before. It only gets better as it sits and the flavors meld together.
- Extra Crunch: If you like a bit of extra crunch, try adding some more celery or a handful of sliced almonds right before you serve it.
- Balancing Flavors: Before you serve the salad, taste it and tweak the lemon, salt, or olive oil if needed to match your taste.
- Serve with Bread: This shrimp salad goes great with crusty Italian bread or on top of a bed of fresh greens for a complete meal.
Benefits of This Shrimp Salad Recipe
Important Things About This Recipe
- No Cooking Needed: This is a no-cook recipe, perfect for those hot summer days when you don’t want to turn on the stove!
- Mediterranean Flavors: The olives, lemon, and garlic give this shrimp salad a classic Mediterranean taste that’s both fresh and bold.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for anyone with dietary restrictions.
- Versatile: You can serve it as an appetizer, main dish, or even as a topping for crackers or salad greens.
- Quick Prep: With only 15 minutes of prep time, this shrimp salad is fast and easy to whip up!
More Salad Dish Ideas
Shrimp Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Black pepper to taste
- Juice of 2 small lemons
- 1 ⅓ cups mixed Italian pitted olives
- 1 ¼ lbs cooked peeled, and deveined jumbo shrimp (tails-off, halved)
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup sliced celery
Instructions
- In a big mixing bowl, add the shrimp, celery, olives, red onion, garlic, and parsley.
- Pour the olive oil and fresh lemon juice over the salad, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Toss everything well and place the salad in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) to let the flavors blend beautifully.
- Once it’s nicely chilled and full of flavor, give it another mix, and it’s ready to serve!
Notes
- Chill for Best Flavor: For the best taste, let your shrimp salad hang out in the fridge for a few hours. The garlic, olives, and lemon flavors will really come together and improve with time!
- Olive Variety: Mix up your olives to get a range of textures and tastes. Castelvetrano olives are buttery and mild, while Kalamata olives give a nice briny touch.
- Customize It: If you don’t have celery, you can easily use diced cucumber or bell peppers for a bit of extra crunch.
- Lemon Boost: Love a citrusy zing? Add a splash more lemon juice right before serving to give your salad a fresh kick.
- Meal Prep: This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days, so it’s great for prepping ahead of time or bringing along to gatherings.
Nutritional Details (Per Serving):
- Calories: 214
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 14.7g
- Carbohydrates: 2.7g
- Fiber: 1.3g
