Refreshing Crisp Shrimp and Cucumber Salad Recipe for Summer

Summertime calls for light, refreshing dishes that burst with crisp shrimp and cucumber salad magic on your plate.

Cool cucumbers and succulent shrimp dance together in this vibrant recipe.

The combination delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that tantalize your taste buds.

Delicate herbs and a zesty dressing complement the seafood and vegetables brilliantly.

Each bite promises a fresh, satisfying experience that transcends ordinary salads.

This recipe works wonders for a quick lunch or elegant appetizer.

Prepare to be delighted by this simple yet sophisticated culinary creation that transforms everyday ingredients into something extraordinary.

Serving Shrimp and Cucumber the Right Way

• Summer Beach Picnic Companion: Pack this refreshing salad in a chilled container for a perfect oceanside lunch that stays crisp and cool.
• Elegant Appetizer Presentation: Arrange cucumber slices artfully on a white plate, top with shrimp, drizzle dressing, and garnish with delicate dill sprigs for a restaurant-style starter.
• Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Serve alongside grilled pita bread, hummus, and olives to create a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired spread that celebrates fresh, light flavors.
• Protein-Packed Lunch Bowl: Transform the salad into a heartier meal by adding quinoa or mixed greens, creating a nutritious and satisfying lunch option that's quick to prepare.

Keeping This Salad Light, Fresh, and Fridge-Ready

• Quick Chill Technique: Refrigerate the salad in an airtight container for maximum flavor absorption, keeping it crisp and fresh for optimal taste experience.
• Shelf Smart Storage: Consume within 1-2 days for best quality, storing in sealed glass containers to maintain the shrimp and cucumber's delicate texture and prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezing Caution: Not recommended due to cucumber's high water content, which causes texture breakdown when thawed, potentially compromising the salad's crispness.
• Temperature Control: Keep the salad consistently chilled below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth, ensuring food safety and maintaining the ingredients' original zesty flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 175 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Toss Into the Shrimp and Cucumber Salad

• Shrimp: Fresh ocean-sweet protein that adds delicate texture and clean maritime flavor; choose medium-sized shrimp with firm, translucent appearance for best results.

• Cucumber, Red Onion: Crisp vegetables providing refreshing crunch and subtle sharpness; select firm, bright green cucumber and choose red onion with vibrant, glossy skin for maximum flavor.

• Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard, Honey, Salt, Pepper: Zesty flavor enhancers creating balanced and bright vinaigrette; select extra virgin olive oil for rich taste, fresh lemon for bright acidity, smooth Dijon mustard for depth, and high-quality honey for subtle sweetness.

• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb bringing aromatic, slightly tangy notes; pick bright green sprigs with soft, feathery texture for maximum fragrance.

Fresh Tools to Mix This Cool Shrimp Salad

• Mandoline or Sharp Knife: Essential for slicing cucumber into thin, uniform rounds.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining salad ingredients and tossing with dressing.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Ideal for whisking together dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend dressing components smoothly and quickly.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for slicing cucumber and prepping ingredients.
• Colander: Useful for draining boiled shrimp and rinsing with cold water.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and dressing proportions.

Steps to Craft a Refreshing Cucumber & Shrimp Bowl

• Cook Succulent Seafood

Boil uncooked shrimp in salted water until they turn rosy and fully opaque. Quickly drain and rinse with chilly water. Gently pat dry and set aside.

• Slice Crisp Cucumber

Use a sharp blade or mandoline to create delicate, paper-thin cucumber rounds. Transfer these translucent slices into a spacious mixing vessel.

• Whip Together Tangy Dressing

In a compact bowl, blend zesty olive oil, bright lemon juice, sharp Dijon mustard, golden honey, sea salt, and cracked pepper. Whisk vigorously until ingredients harmonize beautifully.

• Build Refreshing Salad

Toss plump shrimp, tender cucumber discs, sharp red onion slivers, and fragrant fresh dill into the bowl. Drizzle your vibrant dressing across the ingredients. Gently fold everything together, ensuring each morsel gets coated.

• Chill and Delight

Seal the salad and park in the refrigerator for a quick 15-minute flavor fusion. Serve ice-cold as a light, invigorating meal or accompaniment.

Cool-Weather Tips for Crisp Shrimp Salad

• Quick Chilling Trick: Spread cucumber and shrimp on a chilled plate to cool faster and maintain crisp texture without diluting flavors.
• Protein Powerhouse Swap: Replace shrimp with grilled chicken or tofu for a versatile protein option that suits different dietary preferences.
• Low-Carb Friendly: Skip honey and use stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce sugar content while maintaining a balanced flavor profile.
• Herb Garden Twist: Experiment with alternative fresh herbs like mint, basil, or cilantro to create unique flavor combinations that complement the seafood and cucumber.
• Texture Enhancement: Lightly toast pine nuts or sliced almonds and sprinkle on top for added crunch and nutty depth to the salad's overall texture.

Crisp Shrimp And Cucumber Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Refreshing shrimp and cucumber salad delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors with crisp vegetables and succulent seafood. Delicate herbs and zesty dressing elevate this light, elegant dish for summer dining.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced (or 2 Persian cucumbers)
• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsps fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Seafood Preparation: Immerse shrimp in gently salted simmering water, cooking until they transform to a vibrant coral-pink, approximately 2-3 minutes. Swiftly transfer to an ice water bath to arrest cooking, then delicately dry with absorbent towels.
2. Cucumber and Vegetable Processing: Slice cucumber into gossamer-thin translucent medallions using a mandoline, creating uniform elegance. Simultaneously, julienne red onion into wispy, delicate strips that complement the cucumber’s delicate nature.
3. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk together zesty lime juice, premium extra virgin olive oil, piquant Dijon mustard, and golden honey into a harmonious emulsion. Season with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
4. Salad Assembly: Combine poached shrimp, cucumber rounds, onion slivers, and feathery dill fronds in a spacious mixing vessel. Cascade the prepared vinaigrette over the ingredients, gently folding to ensure even flavor distribution without bruising delicate components.
5. Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Present as a crisp, refreshing appetizer or light summer entrée, garnished with additional dill sprigs for visual allure.

Notes

• Prevent Overcooking Seafood: Watch shrimp closely during poaching; 2-3 minutes maximum to maintain tender, succulent texture without becoming rubbery or tough.
• Cucumber Slice Precision: Use a sharp mandoline or knife to create uniform, thin slices that absorb dressing evenly and provide delicate, consistent mouthfeel throughout the salad.
• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate salad for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more integrated taste profile.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap honey with agave nectar for vegan version; replace shrimp with grilled tofu or plant-based protein alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 175
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg