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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Seafood » Best Shrimp Salad Recipe with Old Bay

    Best Shrimp Salad Recipe with Old Bay

    Published: Apr 23, 2022 by Barbara Curry · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Old Bay Shrimp Salad being prepped in an bowl in the top photo. Old Bay Shrimp Salad on a sandwich.
    Old bay shrimp salad served three ways.

    This Old Bay recipe for shrimp salad is just what you need on a hot summer day. A cool refreshing high protein lunch, whether served on a croissant, lettuce leaves or avocado. Great for summer picnics or cook-outs. 

    Old Bay Shrimp salad on a croissant.

    We’re in the middle of a heat wave in the Carolinas, which means it’s time to make a batch of this light Old Bay recipe for shrimp salad seasoned with Old Bay of course, and dill.

    While I love salads with fresh produce from the farmer’s market, you can still have a healthy lunch without eating a traditional veggie salad. This is also great to make if you’re vacationing at the beach and have access to fresh shrimp!

    For those cooler days when you have a little more time, try your hand at making a dark roux and give etoufee a try, you can use shrimp or frozen crawfish.

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      My typical lunch is whatever is leftover from dinner, but with the thermostat staying in the 90º, I’ve been craving something light and cold. Shrimp flavored with onions, dill and Old Bay and tossed in a light lemon and mayonnaise dressing is so simple but will become a staple in your house.

      Best Shrimp Salad Recipe

      • Quick and easy to throw together
      • Several ways to serve it
      • Light and cool for hot summer days
      • Creamy dressing
      • It can be it’s own meal or a side

      This easy recipe can be made in just a few minutes which is great for those times when you get a last minute invitation to a brunch or summer cook-out. Leave it overnight and the flavors get even better.

      Old Bay shrimp on a bed of lettuce.

      Looking for a low fat, high protein meal that’s low carb, keto, gluten free and dairy free, then you’re in luck. This seafood salad meets all those criteria but most importantly it tastes fantastic. The combination of flavors is what makes it a classic.

      This salad is delicious served on a croissant, but is equally good alone or try scooping it into an avocado or stuff it into pita bread.

      Old Bay seasoning along with fresh dill are what makes this delicious salad so spectacular. Around here, we use Old Bay in shrimp packs and seafood boils and even in cheese wafers. We sprinkle it on corn, scrambled eggs, and anything that needs a little flavor boost.

      What is Old Bay Seasoning?

      Old Bay seasoning is made up of celery salt, pepper and paprika along with other herbs and spices and originated in Maryland. It has a little kick but it’s not too spicy. It’s most commonly used with seafood.

      I’ve found that frozen pre-cooked shrimp work great in this salad. Any size will work, if they’re large you’ll want to cut them into bite size pieces. If you have access to fresh shrimp, you should go with fresh.

      If using fresh shrimp, you’ll need to peel and devein them first.

      Shrimp salad on a croissant with dill on the side.

      Old Bay Shrimp Salad Recipe Ingredients

      • Fresh or frozen shrimp – 1 pound will produce 4 good size servings, you can use small or medium shrimp, you will be cutting them into smaller pieces. You’ll need peeled shrimp for this recipe.
      • Red onion – red or purple onions have a stronger taste but are great eaten raw, a little is all you need to add some pizzaz to the salad. If you don’t like the stronger taste of red onions, then you could use green onions or scallions.
      • Cucumber – this adds texture and absorbs the creamy dressing
      • Mayonnaise – Choose the brand of mayo you like the best, my favorite is Hellman’s which to me is slightly tart but not too sharp. I think the brand of mayonnaise that you like depends on where you grew up. Hellman’s is very popular in the South along with Duke’s.
      • Old Bay Seasoning – this seasoning really perks up the shrimp salad dressing
      • Fresh dill – dill is a subtle herb but adds a freshness to the salad. If you can’t find fresh herbs, then use about 2 teaspoons of dried.
      • Pantry staples – lemon juice and mustard.

      Shrimp Salad Substitutes for Old Bay Seasoning

      If you can’t get your hands on Old Bay seasoning, you can replicate the flavor to some extent. The combination of herbs is kept a secret but the main ingredients are Paprika and Celery Salt. Try adding ¼ teaspoon of both paprika and celery salt for every teaspoon of Old Bay that is called for in a recipe.

      To paprika and celery salt, add a little cayenne or red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper. While not exactly the same, it will give you a similar flavor profile.

      You could also use Cajun seasoning or seasoned salt.

      How to thaw shrimp for Shrimp Salad

      If you didn’t plan ahead and have frozen shrimp, you have a couple of options. You don’t want to shock them by putting them in the microwave or placing them in hot water.

      Instead place them in a ziplock and submerge the bag in a medium bowl of cold water, holding it down with a plate or something heavy, this will take about 45 minutes.

      In a hurry, then just dump the shrimp in a bowl of cool water and they will thaw in 10-20 minutes.

      How to cook shrimp for Old Bay Shrimp Salad

      Peel and devein and then pat dry with a paper towel. Add to a pan over medium high heat with a little olive oil in a single layer and cook until they start to turn white, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 2 more minutes. If using large shrimp, it could take a little longer. Remove and let chill before adding to the salad.

      Boiled shrimp are also great for an Old bay shrimp salad. It only takes about 2 minutes to boil them, so pretty quick. Just add to a large pot of boiling water, cook for 2 minutes, drain and chill. Here’s some directions form A Couple Cooks.

      How to make Shrimp Salad

      Step 1:

      Once you have cooked and cooled the shrimp, chop it into bite size pieces.

      Step 2:

      Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, a little Dijon mustard, fresh dill and Old bay. Whisk it together.

      Step 3:

      Finely chop some red onion, you don’t want big chunks, and add to a bowl with cooked cold shrimp and chopped cucumber.

      A bowl of shrimp, cucumber and onions in a bowl.

      Step 4:

      Pour the dressing over the shrimp mixture and stir to combine. Add salt and black pepper as needed. You can refrigerate this and serve it the next day.

      Dressing being poured over shrimp.

      You can also add some fresh lemon juice to the top of the salad and sprinkle it with fresh parsley.

      A glass bowl of shrimp salad seasoned with Old Bay.

      3 ways to serve this recipe for Shrimp Salad

      • I love this creamy shrimp salad served on a croissant as a sandwich. The light and flaky layers are still strong enough to hold the shrimp, and the buttery flavor compliments the Old Bay shrimp.
      A bowl of shrimp salad with croissants.
      • For a healthy shrimp salad serve this on bibb lettuce or romaine lettuce. The large leaves make it easy to wrap around the shrimp for lettuce wraps or serve on a bed of lettuce for a great light supper.
      Old Bay shrimp recipe on lettuce leaves.
      • Use an avocado and make a shrimp bowl for a light lunch
      An avocado filled with shrimp salad inside.

      What to serve with Old Bay Shrimp Salad

      Of course a shrimp salad can be a meal on its own. If serving it as a main course, then try adding a simple fruit salad.

      Since it’s so light, you can serve it as a side with your main meal. It’s especially great with ham or steaks.

      If you’re making it for a brunch, it goes well with any egg or quiche dish.

      Shrimp Salad Recipe FAQs

      How long does Shrimp Salad stay good for?

      Store in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container. It’s even better the day after it has been prepared.

      Can you use dried dill?

      For the best salad, use fresh dill but if you’re in a pinch you can use two teaspoons of dried.

      Is shrimp salad healthy?

      This Old Bay Shrimp Recipe is low in fat and high in protein. It has very few carbs, just 2, so it will comply with a keto and low carb diet. It’s also dairy free.

      Favorite Shrimp recipes

      • Sausage, shrimp and corn with Old Bay in a foil pack.
        Shrimp Boil Foil Packets with Old Bay (Oven or Grill)
      • A platter with two shrimp quesadillas with grilled corn in the background.
        Shrimp Quesadillas
      • A black platter topped with creamy grits and shrimp and sauce.
        Southern Shrimp and Grits
      • Oven roasted shrimp over asparagus on a platter
        Shrimp and Asparagus

      More delicious summer salads

      • A bowl of broccoli salad with a yogurt dressing
        Broccoli Salad
      • Southern style Ranch potato salad in a glass bowl next to green onions.
        Ranch Dressing Potato Salad with Bacon
      • A glass bowl of corn and cucumber salad
        Corn and Cucumber Salad Recipe
      • Strawberry spinach salad with a silver serving spoon.
        Strawberry Spinach Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing

      If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.

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      A croissant filled with old bay shrimp salad.

      Shrimp Salad Recipe

      Author: Barbara Curry
      This Old Bay recipe for shrimp salad is just what you need on a hot summer day. A cool refreshing high protein lunch, whether served on a croissant, lettuce leaves or avocado. Great for summer picnics or cook-outs.
      5 from 5 votes
      Print Pin
      PREP: 15 minutes
      Servings: 4

      Ingredients
       

      • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
      • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
      • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
      • ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
      • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
      • 1 lb shrimp cooked
      • ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
      • ½ cup English cucumber peeled and chopped
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      Instructions
       

      • Cook shrimp in a skillet, about 2 minutes per side or boil for about 2 minutes.
      • Pat cooked shrimp dry with a paper towel and cool. Cut into bite size pieces, add chopped onion and cucumber and stir to combine.
      • Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, dill and Old Bay.
      • Pour over cooled shrimp mixture and serve as is or top with a squeeze of lemon and sprinkle with parsley.

      Video

      Barbara’s Tips + Notes

      Recipe Tips

      • Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
      • Use fresh dill, if you’re out, you can use 2 teaspoons of dried.
      • If you have fresh shrimp, cook in a skillet in a little olive oil, about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Let cool before adding to the salad. 
      • Serve on a croissant or pita, lettuce leaves or in an avocado.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 294mg | Sodium: 1015mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 164mg | Iron: 3mg
      Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage on Instagram!

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      Comments

      1. Gina says

        May 05, 2022 at 5:30 pm

        I’m ready for summer, and this recipe is going to be my dinner tonight!

        Reply
        • Barbara Curry says

          May 06, 2022 at 10:35 am

          You’re going to love it!

          Reply

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      Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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