Grilled Shrimp Salad
A refreshing and nourishing Grilled Shrimp Salad combining succulent grilled shrimp with crisp mixed greens and vibrant vegetables, dressed with a lemon-olive oil vinaigrette. This quick and easy gluten-free salad is packed with lean protein, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats, perfect for a light meal or healthy lunch.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Seafood
- 12 oz fresh or thawed shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salad Base
- 4 cups mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, and romaine)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, sliced
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro), finely chopped
- Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp and pat them dry. Toss with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Grill the Shrimp: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Place the shrimp on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink with grill marks. Remove and set aside.
- Toss the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and diced avocado. Gently toss to mix evenly.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and finely chopped herbs. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all ingredients.
- Assemble and Serve: Arrange the grilled shrimp on top of the tossed salad. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately for the freshest taste.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Shrimp: Fresh or properly thawed shrimp grill best and have a sweeter flavor than frozen-then-thawed varieties.
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Remove shrimp from the grill as soon as they turn pink to keep them juicy and tender.
- Pat Salad Ingredients Dry: Excess moisture can dilute the dressing, so ensure greens are well-drained.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides brightness that bottled juice lacks.
- Oil Your Grill: Lightly oil grill grates to prevent shrimp from sticking and losing grill marks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
Keywords: grilled shrimp salad, healthy salad, seafood salad, quick salad, gluten free, high protein, low carb