If you’re looking for a quick, nutritious meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor, this Healthy Grilled Shrimp Salad is a perfect choice. This summer salad is easy to prepare, packed with fresh ingredients, loaded with protein and is gluten-free!
Plus, the combination of vegetables and herbs offers a delightful crunch, and burst of flavor in every bite. Whether you’re making this shrimp salad for a family dinner, a gathering with friends or meal prep for the week, this light and healthy salad fits any occasion.
Why Make This Grilled Shrimp Salad Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights or a quick lunch, this recipe comes together in about 20-minutes.
- Healthy: Packed with lean protein from shrimp and nutrient-rich vegetables, this salad recipe is a nutritious choice.
- Flavorful: The combination of fresh herbs, tangy dressing and grilled shrimp creates a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Versatile: Ideal for meal prep, family dinners or gatherings with friends.
- Low-Calorie: Great for those looking to enjoy a tasty meal, while maintaining a healthy diet.
- Gluten-Free: Suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, or following a gluten-free diet.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with easily accessible, fresh ingredients you might already have at home.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the seasoning and ingredients to suit your taste preferences.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Prepare ahead of time for convenient, healthy meals throughout the week.
- Impressive Presentation: Looks beautiful on the plate, making it a great option for entertaining guests.
Choosing the Right Shrimp for This Salad
- Size: Use large or jumbo shrimp, for the best texture and flavor.
- Preparation: Opt for peeled and deveined shrimp, for ease of preparation.
- Tail On or Off: Choose shrimp with or without the tail, based on personal preference.
- Fresh vs. Frozen:
- Fresh shrimp generally offer the best flavor.
- High-quality frozen shrimp are also suitable, if properly thawed.
- Wild-Caught vs. Farmed:
- Wild-caught shrimp are often recommended for superior taste, and lower environmental impact.
Ingredients
The ingredients in this Healthy Grilled Shrimp Salad are highly customizable, allowing you to easily substitute or add elements like different proteins, vegetables and herbs, to suit your personal taste and dietary preferences.
- Shrimp: Easily substitute with your favorite protein, such as chicken, tofu or salmon.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Use grape tomatoes, regular tomatoes chopped into small pieces or roasted red peppers.
- Hothouse Cucumber: Replace with regular cucumbers, English cucumbers or zucchini.
- Jalapeño: Replace with crushed red pepper flakes, or omit.
- Red Onion: Swap with shallots, green onions or yellow onions for a milder taste.
- Avocado: Feel free to add diced avocado to this grilled shrimp salad.
- Fresh Herbs: Substitute with fresh cilantro, mint or arugula for a different herbaceous note.
- Seasoning Blend: Feel free to use your favorite seasoning blend.
- Corn: Grilled corn would be a great addition to this summer salad recipe.
How to Make Healthy Grilled Shrimp Salad
This Healthy Grilled Shrimp Salad is incredibly easy to make, with straightforward steps that come together quickly, for a delicious and nutritious meal.
- Combine the spices in a small bowl.
- Add the shrimp to a larger bowl along with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle in the spice mixture.
- Coat the shrimp evenly in the seasoning blend and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Combine the ingredients for the dressing in a jar. Shake well to mix.
- Cut the vegetables and herbs while the shrimp is marinating.
- Place the shrimp onto skewers.
- Heat the grill and cook the shrimp on both sides until fully cooked, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skewers into a bowl and squeeze on some lemon juice.
- In a large bowl, place the tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, half of the basil and half of the parsley. Season with a touch of salt and toss with about a tablespoon of the dressing.
- Add the grilled shrimp, and enough dressing to your liking. Toss to combine.
- Garnish with the remaining basil, parsley and cracked black pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.
Alternative Methods to Prepare the Shrimp
If you don’t have a grill, you can still prepare the shrimp using these methods:
- Stovetop: Heat a skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the shrimp on a baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Broiler: Preheat the broiler. Arrange the shrimp on a broiler pan and broil for 2-3 minutes on each side, watching closely to avoid overcooking.
- Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook the shrimp in a single layer for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
How to Serve and Store Healthy Grilled Shrimp Salad
Serve this gluten-free shrimp salad on its own for a light lunch, or dinner. Pair with a bed of mixed greens or with crusty bread for a more substantial meal.
Meal Prep Tips:
- Keep Dressing Separate: Store the dressing separately and add just before eating to maintain freshness.
- Prepare Ahead: Ideal for preparing in advance for quick, healthy meals throughout the week.
Storing Leftovers:
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
- Use leftover shrimp in wraps, tacos or as a topping for another salad.
- Leftover dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
More Healthy Shrimp Recipes to Love
- Orzo with Pesto Grilled Shrimp
- Classic Poached Shrimp Cocktail
- Tostones with Blackened Shrimp and Guacamole
- Shrimp Ceviche
- Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Tomatoes
Healthy Grilled Shrimp Salad
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Healthy Grilled Shrimp Salad is easy to prepare, packed with fresh ingredients, loaded with protein, full of flavor and is gluten-free!
Ingredients
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp (with or without the tail)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Juice of one lemon, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- pinch of cayenne pepper, optional
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 hothouse cucumber, sliced and quartered
- 1 small jalapeño, diced small
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- Cracked black pepper, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
For the Dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup golden balsamic vinegar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper and cayenne in a small bowl.
- Add the shrimp to a larger bowl, along with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle in the spice mixture.
- Coat the shrimp evenly in the seasoning blend, and place in the fridge to marinate for 10 minutes.
- Combine the olive oil, golden balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and black pepper in a jar. Shake well to mix.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, slice and quarter the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, chiffonade the basil leaves and chop the parsley.
- Place the shrimp onto skewers.
- Heat the grill. Brush the grill grate will olive oil or cooking spray.
- Grill the shrimp on both sides until fully cooked, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skewers into a bowl, and squeeze on some lemon juice.
- In a large bowl, place the tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, half of the basil and half of the parsley. Season with a touch of salt and toss with about a tablespoon of the dressing.
- Add the grilled shrimp and dress the salad to your liking. Toss to combine.
- Garnish with the remaining basil, parsley, and cracked black pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.
- ENJOY!
Equipment
Notes
- Use high-quality, fresh shrimp for best results.
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw properly.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning blend, or use your favorite blend.
- Try not to marinate the shrimp for longer than 10 minutes, as the lemon juice has a tendency to “cook” the shrimp.
- If you do not have metal skewers, just grill the shrimp directly on the grill.
- Brush the grates with olive oil or cooking spray to ensure the shrimp do not stick.
- Do not to overcook the shrimp.
- Experiment with other proteins, like chicken or salmon.
- Diced avocado and grilled corn are great additions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Marinate Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Seafood
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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