If you’re looking for a light and flavorful lunch, try this Cajun seafood salad recipe. It’s loaded with fresh vegetables and protein-packed shrimp.
The Cajun seasoning provides plenty of spicy heat, but it’s also easy to add a little more flavor to the salad if you want a milder version.
Shrimp
Cajun seafood salad is a great option for a weeknight dinner that’s full of flavor and easy to make. It’s filled with seasoned shrimp, creamy avocado, sweet corn and colorful veggies.
The shrimp is tossed with an easy yogurt-based dressing for a refreshing salad that’s bursting with flavor and a pinch of heat! It’s a healthy meal that’s sure to please everyone.
You can use a variety of shrimp in this dish, from large jumbo shrimp to smaller shell-on shrimp. You can also add a variety of vegetables, such as broccoli or green beans. The key is to cook the shrimp before adding them to the salad.
To make this recipe even easier, you can buy pre-cooked shrimp from the grocery store. This will save you time and ensure that the shrimp are cooked thoroughly. However, you should still watch them closely to prevent them from overcooking.
If you’re planning on serving this dish to guests, it’s important to serve it at room temperature rather than chilled. This way the vegetables won’t wilt.
This delicious salad features shrimp, avocados, and fresh vegetables tossed with a zesty lemon and lime dressing. It’s the perfect summertime salad to enjoy with friends or on your own!
Depending on your tastes, you can use less or more cajun seasoning in this recipe. You can even add a little bit of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to increase the heat level.
You can serve this dish with a side of toasted bread for an extra crunchy snack. If you want to make it extra filling, you can also add some chopped hard-boiled eggs to the mix.
It’s also a great appetizer to bring to parties. You can top it with lump crabmeat or boiled shrimp.
To prepare this recipe, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the shrimp on a baking sheet and toss them with the oil and seasonings. Bake for 7-10 minutes until opaque.
You can also make a quick avocado dressing to use in this recipe. Simply blend a half of an avocado with water, ranch dressing, lime juice, and salt & pepper.
Vegetables
Whether you’re looking for a delicious side dish to serve with your family meal or something to impress your friends at the next party, this Cajun seafood salad recipe is sure to be a hit. It has plenty of vegetables to make the salad vibrant and delicious and is the perfect addition to your summer dinner menu!
A traditional cajun salad is a wholesome mixture of tender greens and juicy vegetables that are dressed in a light dressing. This simple and delicious salad is easy to make for a quick dinner or can be made ahead to serve at a party.
For the best result, add the shrimp to the vegetables just before serving to allow the flavours to develop properly. You can use fresh prawns or thawed frozen ones, but if you are on a budget try a cheaper alternative such as chicken.
The salad is best eaten immediately after making it as the lettuce will wilt if left in the dressing for too long. If you don’t want to eat it right away, you can store the leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to three days.
If you like, a little red onion is also a good addition to the salad to add a hint of colour and flavour. You can leave it out if you prefer but I find it helps to balance the flavours and makes the salad feel a little more substantial too!
Corn is a great addition to the salad as it provides a nice sweetness without being too rich. It is ideal for this Cajun seafood salad recipe because it adds a subtle yet delicious flavour and is a healthy addition to your diet.
Avocado is another healthy ingredient to add to the salad, as it is mild in taste and adds a creamy texture that balances the creamy dressing. It can be used either raw or fried and has a mild flavour that complements the rest of the ingredients.
A good quality Cajun seasoning is key for this salad recipe. You can make your own blend or buy a good one from the supermarket.
Dressing
A healthy cajun seafood salad recipe is a great way to add protein, vitamins and minerals to your diet. It’s also packed with flavour and a great dish to make when you want something that’s easy to prepare.
To make this salad, start by making a creamy avocado dressing which is incredibly easy to make in your blender. Tossing the avocados and a few other ingredients together will give you a deliciously fresh and flavourful dressing to enjoy with your shrimp salad.
The avocados in this salad are an excellent source of dietary fibre and a good source of healthy fats. They also have a nice buttery texture which makes the dressing taste so much better!
You can use any kind of salad greens for this delicious salad, including cos or romaine lettuce, massaged kale and spinach. A sliced cherry tomato or some grilled corn kernels are also great for this recipe and add more flavour and texture to the dressing.
If you’re planning to serve this salad as part of a meal, it’s a good idea to make the dressing in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the salad. This will ensure the vegetables don’t get wilted before you’re ready to enjoy it.
Once you’ve made the dressing, you can assemble your cajun shrimp salad right away and enjoy it with your family! If you’re planning on serving this dish to guests, it’s best to assemble it a few minutes before they arrive. This will help the vegetables wilt less and prevent them from getting a raw flavour.
To keep this salad light and healthy, you can omit the crispy bacon bits. This can be a great option for those with allergies or who prefer a lighter meal.
Another option is to swap the bacon for diced smoked paprika or a Creole blend. These will give the salad more of a spicy kick.
For a dairy-free version of this cajun shrimp salad, you can simply omit the Parmesan cheese and replace it with olives or nutritional yeast. It will still be a lovely dish to serve for dinner, or as an appetizer.
Sauce
In this cajun seafood salad recipe, shrimp and fresh vegetables are tossed in a creamy, spicy dressing. This is a healthy dish that makes a great lunch or dinner. The vinaigrette contains a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
The salad also contains a variety of nutrients from the shrimp and avocado, including protein, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, vitamin C and carotenoids. The salad is a low-calorie meal that can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve it.
If you want to make this a gluten-free or dairy-free recipe, simply substitute the parmesan cheese with olives or nutritional yeast instead. You can also add some diced red onion for a hint of color and flavor.
Prepare the dressing by combining all of the ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Then whisk it until the emulsion is complete. This is the secret to making this dressing really stand out!
Once you have the emulsion complete, you can add the corn and the cooked shrimp to the salad. Then toss it all together and garnish with cilantro, if desired.
This is a lighter version of my traditional cajun seafood salad. It is lower in fat and calories and contains no mayonnaise. It is also a great Weight Watchers recipe!
Besides being lighter in calories and fat, this salad is lower in carbohydrates. The dressing is made with olive oil, which is a good source of monounsaturated fat.
It is also high in protein and iron. This makes it a great choice for those trying to eat healthy while still satisfying their cravings!
Shrimp is one of the easiest seafood options to prepare. They are also inexpensive and can be sourced at most supermarkets.
The cajun seasoning is a classic Louisiana flavor that is a blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, pepper and oregano. You can use a store-bought blend or create your own with this easy recipe.
Toss the cooked shrimp in the seasoning and cook them in a skillet with a little olive oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they turn opaque. You can cook the shrimp in batches if you’d like to ensure that they don’t overcook. If you want a spicier version of this recipe, add more cayenne pepper.