Description
Mediterranean-inspired lemon dill shrimp salad combines zesty citrus with fresh herbs for a light, refreshing meal. Crisp greens and succulent shrimp create perfect balance, inviting you to savor summer’s delightful flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (0.9 kg) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 heads butter leaf lettuce
- ¾ cup (180 ml) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (8 tbsps) chopped chives
- 1 cup (240 ml) minced celery
- 2 large lemons
- ¼ cup (4 tbsps) minced fresh dill
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
- ¼ cup (4 tbsps) finely chopped red onion
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Boiling Setup: Fill a large pot with water, bring to a vigorous boil over high heat. Squeeze lemon juice into the water and drop the halves into the pot, adding salt for enhanced flavor.
- Shrimp Cooking: Gently lower raw shrimp into the bubbling water, stirring to ensure uniform cooking. Monitor closely, cooking 2-3 minutes until shrimp transform from translucent to soft pink.
- Cooling Process: Immediately drain shrimp using a colander, transfer to an ice water bath to stop cooking. Rest for 5 minutes to preserve tender texture, then drain and refrigerate.
- Salad Preparation: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine chilled shrimp with mayonnaise, lemon zest, additional lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, chopped dill, and chives.
- Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients gently, ensuring even coating without breaking shrimp. Incorporate finely diced celery into the mixture.
- Plating Elegance: Arrange crisp lettuce leaves on individual plates, creating a vibrant base. Generously spoon shrimp salad over lettuce.
- Finishing Touch: Optionally garnish with delicate dill sprigs or finely chopped chives for a sophisticated presentation.
Notes
- Prevent Overcooking: Monitor shrimp closely, as they cook rapidly in 2-3 minutes and can become rubbery if left too long in boiling water.
- Chill Technique: Ice bath immediately stops cooking process, preserving tender shrimp texture and preventing further heat exposure.
- Flavor Enhancer: Adding lemon halves to boiling water infuses subtle citrus notes, complementing the shrimp’s natural sweetness.
- Mixing Method: Fold ingredients gently to avoid breaking delicate shrimp, ensuring even coating without damaging their structure.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg