Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad

This grilled shrimp caesar salad is a light flavorful summer bite you’ll love! Topped with a white wine-parmesan dressing, crunchy pepitas, creamy avocado, and juicy tomatoes for the perfect 15-minute meal.

Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Caesar Salad Recipe

This shrimp caesar salad will be a go-to for anyone who needs another light, 15-minute lunch recipe in their repertoire.

• Versatile. Add crispy chickpeas, use grilled chicken, or turn it into a pasta salad depending on what you’re craving.
• Beginner-friendly. Refreshing summer salads are the kind of recipe that any-level home cook can nail.
• Convenient. You can use frozen shrimp and even store-bought dressing if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
• Quick. The path to a caesar-style salad and homemade dressing with spicy mustard is only 15 minutes.

What You’ll Need

Nutty, crunchy pepitas pair beautifully with the dressing’s creamy tang. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts.

For the Shrimp Salad:

• Shrimp – Use fresh or frozen (thawed).
• Avocado oil – You can use vegetable, corn, or canola oil for this.
• Romaine lettuce – Iceberg lettuce is a great swap. Don’t use French, Italian, or Bib lettuces because their leaves are too soft.
• Cherry tomatoes – Make sure they’re fresh and plump with smooth skin.
• Avocado – Feel free to use your favorite guacamole instead.
• Pepitas – Sunflower seeds, chopped pecans, walnuts, and almonds work as well.

For the Dressing:

• Garlic – Fresh garlic or garlic paste are best. Avoid garlic powder because it can make the mixture grainy.
• Stone-ground mustard – Dijon mustard can be used too.
• Tabasco – Go for Frank’s hot sauce if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
• Lemon – Reduce the amount by half if you use lime juice.
• Parmesan cheese – Freshly-grated cheese is best.
• White wine vinegar – Avoid white vinegar because it’s too tangy, but rice vinegar is a good swap.
• Olive oil – Avocado oil works too.
• Salt and pepper – I prefer kosher salt and freshly-cracked pepper.

How To Make Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad

Grilling the lettuces adds toasty, charred depth to each bite. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.

• Make the dressing. Set the grill to medium-high heat. Add all the dressing ingredients a food processor and blend until smooth and emulsified. The oil and vinegar should no longer be separated. Set it aside.
• Grill the lettuce. Drizzle the lettuce with avocado oil. Grease the griddle/grill with cooking spray. Add the lettuce and grill it for 2-3 minutes per side, or until slightly charred and wilted. Remove it from the heat and set it aside.

• Cook the shrimp. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper on all sides. Place it on the grill, cooking it for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly curled and no longer translucent. Remove it from the heat. Set it aside.
• Assemble it. Roughly chop the charred lettuce with a sharp knife. Add it to a plate with grilled shrimp, cherry tomatoes, avocado, pepitas, and dressing on the side. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

This easy shrimp caesar salad can be even more of a breeze with store-bought dressing or leftover garlic roasted shrimp.

• Swap the protein. Use Chicken Breast or Roasted Turkey Breast to make this salad for an easy variation.
• Make it vegetarian. Skip the shrimp and add extra-firm tofu, crispy chickpeas, or lentils to turn this recipe into a veggie-friendly meal.
• Use store-bought. If you’re in a rush, skip the homemade dressing and use your favorite store-bought one to save time.
• Add leftovers. Reheat any Honey Garlic Grilled Shrimp, Air Fryer Shrimp, or Garlic Herb Roasted Shrimp leftovers. Add them to the salad right before serving.
• Make it a pasta salad. Boil 1-2 cups of your favorite short pasta like penne or fusilli and cook it according to package instructions. Drain it. Roughly chop the lettuce and toss it with the salad ingredients, dressing, and cooked pasta. Serve warm or chilled.
• Season the shrimp. Toss the shrimp in 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon onion powder, 3 teaspoons paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper before grilling for extra flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This shrimp caesar salad with homemade dressing is perfect for the summer. Serve it on its own or with my Pecan Crusted Salmon, Cedar Plank Salmon, or Air Fryer Pesto Salmon. For veggie sides or an easy appetizer to complete the meal, go for my Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus, Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Chips, or Avocado Bruschetta.

How To Store Shrimp Caesar Salad

Enjoy it straight out of the fridge or reheat the lettuce and shrimp on a warm griddle over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side, until warm. Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

More Easy Salad Recipes

• BBQ Grilled Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
• Kale Salad with Cranberries
• Mexican Chopped Salad
• Fattoush Salad

Print