Cajun Shrimp Salad

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This Cajun Shrimp Salad recipe is a flavorful and spicy salad that features a taste of New Orleans and Louisiana with cooked shrimp that have been seasoned with a homemade spice blend. Load this up with bell peppers, boiled eggs, tomatoes, fresh greens, and romaine lettuce.

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You will love making this salad using my Blackened Shrimp Recipe.

What is Cajun Seasoning

It’s a spice blend commonly used in Louisiana cuisine, particularly in Cajun cooking. It includes a combination of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme.

Cajun cuisine is known for its bold and complex flavors that reflect the diverse cultural influences of Louisiana. It features a mix of French, Spanish, African, and Native American culinary traditions, with a focus on using fresh and flavorful ingredients.

Is it Spicy

Cajun seasoning is typically spicy. It contains cayenne pepper and other spices that can add heat to dishes. The level of spiciness can vary depending on the brand or recipe of the seasoning, so some Cajun seasonings may be milder than others.

I like to make my own for this reason. It allows you to directly control the spice. It’s always a good idea to start with a small amount and adjust to your taste preferences. If you’re sensitive to spicy food, you can also look for Cajun seasoning blends that are labeled as mild or use less of the seasoning in your cooking.

What Type of Greens to Use

• Romaine Lettuce: Crisp, sturdy, and makes a great base for a salad. It’s also mild in flavor, which allows the Cajun seasoning and shrimp to shine.
• Arugula: This peppery and slightly bitter green would add a nice contrast to the spicy seasoning on the shrimp.
• Mixed Greens: A mix of different greens, such as spinach, kale, and chard, can add a variety of flavors and textures.
• Butter Lettuce: Tender and delicate, would be a great option if you want a milder flavor that won’t overpower the spices and seasoning.
• Spring Mix: A spring mix typically includes a variety of greens, such as baby spinach, arugula, and mixed lettuces, which would add a nice mix of flavors and textures.

What Type of Shrimp to Use

Look for shrimp that are fresh, with a firm texture and no off odors. Avoid shrimp that are slimy or have a strong ammonia smell. Choose shrimp that are sustainably sourced to ensure that the seafood industry is not harming the environment or contributing to overfishing.

In terms of preparation, decide whether you want to buy shrimp that are already deveined, shells on, shells, off, etc. Deveining is the process of removing the digestive tract or “vein” that runs along the back. When you purchase deveined shrimp the black or brownish-colored digestive tract is already removed.

To do it yourself, make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp with a sharp knife and then use the tip of the knife to carefully lift and remove the vein.

You should also consider where the shrimp are from. Different regions may have different species and quality standards. For taste, wild-caught shrimp are generally considered to be the best option as they have a more flavorful and firmer texture compared to farm-raised shrimp.

Farm-raised shrimp are raised in captivity on a shrimp farm. These farms can be located in ponds or in tanks on land. The shrimp are typically fed a diet of fishmeal, soy, and other ingredients, and are sometimes given antibiotics or other chemicals to prevent disease. Those chemicals are then passed into the food you eat.

When it comes to size, small to medium-sized shrimp work well in salads because they’re easy to eat and distribute evenly throughout the dish. Look for shrimp that are about 20-30 count per pound.

With that being said, I still prefer large or jumbo shrimp for my personal salads. Do what works best for you. Be sure to check out our guides on Shrimp Size Guide and Counts Per Pound and How to Tell if Shrimp is Bad

How to Make Cajun Shrimp Salad

Full detailed instructions are below in the recipe card.

1. Combine the Cajun spices in a small bowl.
2. Sprinkle the spices over the shrimp.
3. Heat a skillet on medium heat with olive oil. Add the shrimp and cook.
4. Load the salads with the remaining ingredients, toppings, and cooked shrimp.

How to Tell When the Shrimp is Done/Finished Cooking

Cooked shrimp will turn pink and opaque. The shrimp will also become firm when you touch it. Perfectly cooked shrimp usually has a C-shape, as opposed to a tightly curled O shape.

You can also check out my guide on How to Tell if Shrimp is Cooked here.

More Toppings Ideas

I love to pair salads with my Mango Pineapple Salsa. Here are other toppings:

• Bacon
• Smoked Salsa
• Guacamole
• Avocado
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Croutons
• Sour Cream
• Cilantro
• Fresh Lime
• Jalapenos
• Tortilla Strips

Salad Dressing

My Southwest Salad Dressing recipe and Mango Salad Dressing work great. The best salad dressing to use is a tangy and creamy dressing that complements the bold and spicy flavors of the salad. Here are some great dressing options:

• Remoulade Sauce: Remoulade sauce is a classic Cajun condiment made with mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, and other seasonings. It would add a bold and spicy flavor to the salad.
• Ranch Dressing: Ranch dressing has a creamy and slightly tangy flavor that would balance out the heat nicely.
• Honey Mustard Dressing: This sweet and tangy dressing would add a nice contrast to the spiciness of the shrimp.
• Caesar Dressing: Caesar dressing has a bold and savory flavor that would work well.
• Vinaigrette Dressing: A simple vinaigrette dressing, such as balsamic or red wine vinegar, would add a tangy flavor to the salad without overpowering the shrimp.

More Salad Recipes

Shrimp Taco Salad
Lump Crab Salad with Real Crab Meat
Shrimp Orzo Pasta Salad
Grilled Shrimp Salad
Mango Fruit Salad
Watermelon Salad with Feta
Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

More Cajun Recipes

Cajun Salmon
Cajun Dirty Rice
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Shrimp Burgers
Seafood Jambalaya with Shrimp

Add a couple of teaspoons of Cajun Seasoning to my Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe (or any ranch) for Cajun ranch!