Creamy Cajun Shrimp Salad

A fresh, creamy, and flavorful shrimp salad with a delicious Cajun kick. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, lunch, meal prep, or an easy back-to-school meal.

Ingredients

For the Shrimp

• 1 lb (450 g) medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1–2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Salad

• 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Creamy Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Season the shrimp:
   Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss them with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. Cook the shrimp:
   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, until pink, opaque, and cooked through. Remove from the heat and let them cool slightly.
3. Make the dressing:
   In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, Cajun seasoning, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
4. Prepare the salad:
   Add the chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, and parsley to a large bowl.
5. Combine:
   Add the cooked shrimp and drizzle with the creamy Cajun dressing. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
6. Serve:
   Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 20–30 minutes for an even more refreshing salad.

Tips

• Adjust the Cajun seasoning according to how spicy you like your salad.
• For meal prep, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat.
• You can add corn, celery, bell peppers, or cooked pasta to make the salad more filling.
• For extra freshness, add a little more lemon juice just before serving.