Description
A fresh and flavorful Shrimp Caesar Salad combining perfectly cooked seasoned shrimp, homemade garlic croutons, and a creamy Caesar dressing. This quick and easy 30-minute recipe serves 4 and makes a satisfying lunch or light dinner packed with bold flavors and classic textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound shrimp, cleaned and deveined
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for cooking shrimp)
Croutons
- 1/2 French baguette, cut in half and sliced into 1/4” thick slices
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Caesar Salad Dressing
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salad
- 1 large romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
Instructions
- Cook Shrimp: Place a skillet over high heat. In a bowl, mix the shrimp with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to evenly coat. Add olive oil to the hot skillet and cook the shrimp for 2 minutes on each side until nicely browned and cooked through. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside to cool.
- Make Croutons: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bread slices in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine olive oil and minced garlic, then drizzle this mixture over the bread slices. Toss well to coat the bread evenly. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until they become lightly golden and crisp. Remove from oven and cool.
- Prepare Caesar Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine minced garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir all ingredients well until smooth. Set the dressing aside.
- Assemble the Salad: Rinse and thoroughly dry the romaine lettuce, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Layer the lettuce in a large serving bowl and sprinkle with shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese. Add the cooled croutons and cooked shrimp on top. Drizzle half of the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Add additional dressing if desired.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the crisp textures and fresh flavors at their best.
Notes
- Make sure shrimp are fully cleaned and deveined for the best texture and taste.
- For extra flavor, you can marinate the shrimp 10 minutes before cooking with olive oil and spices.
- Use day-old bread for croutons so they crisp up better in the oven.
- The anchovy paste in the dressing adds authentic Caesar salad umami; do not omit if possible.
- Serve immediately after tossing to keep croutons crunchy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Shrimp Caesar Salad, Homemade Caesar Dressing, Garlic Croutons, Quick Salad Recipe, Seafood Salad
