• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Salads with Anastasia logo
  • SALAD RECIPES
  • COLLECTIONS
  • DRESSINGS
  • SALAD VEGGIES
  • ABOUT
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Home » Summer Salads

Cajun Shrimp Salad - a.k.a. Cajun Prawn Salad

Made by Anastasia Papapetros - Serves 4 Filed Under: Dinner Salads, High Protein Salads, Low Carb Salads, Paleo Salads, Salad Index, Salad Recipes By Ingredient, Salads by Diet, Salads by Season, Summer Salads

Share
Pin74
Post
Share

Nothing beats shrimp in the summer! Our Cajun Shrimp Salad recipe is full of spicy flavours and makes an ideal light meal during the hot summer months. It is just sooo delicious they won’t be able to tell how quick and easy it is to make!

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
Cajun shrimp salad in a dark grey bowl with lettuce, lime & Cajun spice on the side.

Our Cajun Shrimp Salad looks amazing, is refreshing and full of flavour. The shrimp is cooked to perfection, with a nice kick of heat, and the avocado and cherry tomatoes add a creamy and juicy element. The soft lettuce provides a great backdrop for the other ingredients, and the Cajun vinaigrette ties it all together.

If you're craving more summer salads, be sure to try some of our other Shrimp Salads, like our Cold Shrimp Salad or our terrific Thai Prawn Salad.

In This Post:
 [hide]
  1. What Is Cajun Cuisine?
  2. Ingredients and Substitutions 
  3. Step-by-Step Instructions
  4. Variations to Try
  5. Serving Suggestions  🍽
  6. Tips and Questions
  7. Looking for Some More Great Fishy Salads to Try?
  8. Recipe Card

What Is Cajun Cuisine?

Cajun cookin' got its start when descendants of French Catholic colonists and Acadians had to flee to New Orleans after getting kicked out by the British from Canada.

With its roots in French country cooking, it's comfort food at its finest, made with the kind of ingredients you'd find in swamps. Cajun food is full of complex flavours, often spicy but not always too hot.

Ingredients and Substitutions 

  • Shrimp/prawn - we have used medium fresh shrimp here; you may also use large shrimp if you prefer. If you are on a budget, try chicken instead; cut it into strips or cubes first, then marinate.
  • Cajun blend - used to add some bold, spicy flavour to the shrimp/prawns. Swap for some cayenne pepper, a creole blend or some paprika; the smoked kind works well.
  • Lettuce - use any salad greens that take your fancy, fancy lettuce, cos or romaine lettuce, spinach, arugula/rocket, or massaged kale.
  • Tomatoes - no need to use cherry tomatoes; pick your favourite tomato variety and cut them up into bite-sized pieces instead.
  • Avocados - not a fan of this superfood, then replace it with some nuts instead; try almonds, cashews, or macadamias are all great in this salad. If you have a nut allergy, then try some cooked edamame instead.
  • Green onions - or scallions added for their somewhat spicy, peppery flavour; you can use some diced red onion if you like.
  • Salad dressing - this is an easy dressing made up of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic and a Cajun blend. If you prefer a creamier dressing, try our creamy Cajun dressing or our cilantro lime vinaigrette for some zingy flavour.
LABELLED CAJUN SHRIMP SALAD INGREDIENTS

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 - Marinate the Shrimp / Prawns

Start by peeling and deveining your shrimp, then rinse them and pat them dry.

In a medium glass bowl, add the shrimp with one tablespoon of the oil, crushed garlic and Cajun spice.

ADDING MARINADE INGREDIENTS TO CLEAN SHRIMP

Season the shrimp and mix well to combine. Keep in a cool place while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

💡Top Tip: It is important to keep them at room temperature and not cold, as they will cook better in your hot pan.
Placing cold seafood, meats or poultry in a hot pan hinders them from getting a good sear.
MIXING PRAWNS WITH MARINADE
Cook's Note: Instructions on how to make this salad with frozen shrimp/prawns are in the tips and questions section below. 

Step 2 - Prepare the Salad Ingredients

Give your lettuce a good rinse in a colander with cold water. Toss out any leaves that are wilted or damaged and cut out the hard lettuce core.

SPINNING LETTUCE DRY IN A SALAD SPINNER

Either pat or spin the leaves dry using a salad spinner, then shred.

SHREDDING LETTUCE ON A WOODEN CHOPPING BOARD WITH A KNIFE

Rinse your tomatoes, pat dry and then slice them in half.

CHOPPED CHERRY TOMATOES ON WOODEN BOARDY WITH KNIFE

Wash and trim your onions, then slice finely.

SLICING GREEN ONIONS ON A WOODEN CHOPPING BOARD WITH KNIFE

Rinse the avocado, take out the pit, and then cube it up. Squeeze a bit of lime or lemon juice on top to keep it from going brown.

CUTTING AVOCADO INTO CHUNKS

Step 3 - Cook the Shrimp / Prawns

Place a non-stick pan on medium-high heat and add two tablespoons of oil; once heated, add the shrimp and sauté for a minute or two on each side or until their colour changes and they are just cooked through.

💡TOP TIP: Cook shrimp in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan; otherwise, you will miss out on the slight char on the prawns and end up with boiled shrimp 
TRANSLUCENT PRAWNS IN PAN

Turn off the heat and squeeze some lime or lemon juice on top.

SQUEEZING LIMES ON PRAWNS IN PAN

Step 4 - Shake-Up Dressing

Add all the vinaigrette ingredients to a glass jar, season and shake well to emulsify.

Or you could just add them to a small bowl and whisk them to combine.

Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.

SHAKEN CAJUN VINAIGRETTE IN GLASS JAR

Step 5 - Assemble the Cajun Prawn Salad

Add all the chopped vegetables to a large bowl.

CAJUN SHRIMP SALAD INGREDIENTS IN WHITE BOWL WITH DRESSING ON SIDE

Season and pour over the dressing. Toss well to combine.

MIXING CAJUN SHRIMP SALAD TO COMBINE

Add the cooked prawns with the pan juices and toss them through the salad.

Taste and adjust seasonings according to your taste.

TOSSING CAJUN SHRIMP THROUGOUT SALAD

Arrange in a salad bowl, sprinkle a generous pinch of Cajun seasoning on top to garnish.

Serve immediately.

Cajun shrimp salad in a dark grey bowl with lettuce, lime & Cajun spice on the side.

Variations to Try

It looks delicious, and tastes scrumptious, just as it is, but feel free to mix it up and make our Cajun Shrimp Salad recipe your own. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

  • Sliced bell peppers (capsicum) or some finely chopped celery for some added colour and crunch.
  • Grilled corn for some sweetness.
  • Refreshing cucumber rounds.
  • Sliced chilli for added heat.
  • A cooked grain such as quinoa, freekeh, or wild rice makes it more substantial.
  • For added protein, add some crumbled feta or cooked chickpeas/garbanzo beans.
  • To give your dish a herby kick, toss in some chopped parsley, dill or cilantro.
  • To make it vegan friendly use some cauliflower florets instead of the prawns.

Serving Suggestions  🍽

This Cajun Shrimp Salad is the perfect go-to when you need a quick and tasty dinner - or it makes an appetizer to impress at your next dinner party.

It's also a great salad as a meat-free option for barbecues and works great in a seafood spread with grilled fish, crab cakes, and steamed mussels.

And, of course, it's perfect for family gatherings - try serving it alongside some fish tacos or a fish pie. Yum!

Tips and Questions

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

Absolutely! In fact, I always keep a pack or two of frozen prawns in the freezer for last-minute meal prep.

Frozen shrimp/prawns are also a great option if you are a bit squirmish about handling raw shrimp or just way too busy to fuss around with peeling them 🙂. 

How To Prepare Frozen Shrimp / Prawns

  • The overnight method - defrost them the day before in the fridge in a colander with a medium bowl underneath to capture the water. Rinse under cold water, then drain and dry well before cooking.
  • The oopsy I forgot about the prawns' method - place in a colander in the stink under cold running water and turn them occasionally to make sure that they are evenly defrosted. Make sure you drain them and dry them well before cooking. 

Can I Make Cajun Prawn Salad Ahead of Time?

This salad is at its best when you eat it just after you make it. But here are some time-saving tips.

  • Make the dressing a few days in advance and keep it in a sealed glass container in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before tossing it through your salad.
  • Marinate the prawns and keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge. Make sure you take them out and bring them to room temperature before cooking.
  • Prepare the vegetables (except the avocado) and keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge several hours ahead.

How to store Cajun Shrimp Salad.

You can store the leftovers without the lettuce (it goes soggy and limp) in an airtight container in the fridge.

Suitable Diets and Nutritional Snapshot

  • This is a healthy salad full of of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
    • Shrimp is a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals such as zinc, iron and calcium.
    • Avocado, tomatoes and lettuce are each great sources of dietary fibre, vitamin C, and carotenoids.
    • The vinaigrette is a healthy source of unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • It suits most eating styles Dairy-Free; Gluten-Free; Keto; Low Carb; Nut-Free; Paleo; and Whole30.
    • For a vegan or vegetarian style salad, you could replace the prawns with some cauliflower florets instead.

(Please note we use a nutritional database to calculate the nutritional information, and should be considered as an estimate).

Looking for Some More Great Fishy Salads to Try?

CANNED SALMON SALAD IN A BLACK BOWL WITH CELERY LEAVES AND CARROTS ON THE SIDE
CANNED SALMON SALAD
Fresh tuna salad on a white plate with tomatoes and flat beans on the side.
FRESH TUNA SALAD`
Smoked Salmon Avocado Salad on a white platter with fresh dill on top right corner.
SMOKED SALMON SALAD
SMOKED TROUT & FENNEL SALAD ON A PATTERNED PLATTER WITH DILL & AVOCADO ON THE SIDE
SMOKED TROUT & FENNEL SALAD

Recipe Card

Cajun shrimp salad in a dark grey bowl with lettuce, lime & Cajun spice on the side.

Cajun Shrimp Salad – a flavour explosion!

Nothing beats shrimps in the summer! Our Cajun Shrimp Salad is full of spicy flavours and makes an ideal light meal during the hot summer months. It is just sooo delicious they won’t be able to tell how quick and easy it is to make! ?
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
* Times are an estimate and will depend on your skill level
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Cajun
Keyword: avocado, lettuce, prawn, prawn salad, shrimp salad recipe
Difficulty: Easy
Diet: dairy free, Keto, Low Carb, nut free, Paleo, Whole30
Servings: 4 as a light meal
Calories: 452kcal
Author: Anastasia Papapetros
Toggle to prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
For the Cajun shrimp
  • 600 grams Shrimp/prawns, peeled and deveined (approximately 22 ounces)
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun spice
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
For the salad
  • 150 grams lettuce (approximately 5.3 ounces)
  • 400 grams cherry tomatoes (approximately 14 ounces)
  • 1 medium avocado (approximately 250 grams /7 ounces)
  • 2 green onions
For the vinaigrette
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun spice
  • 1 clove finely minced garlic
Metric - Imperial
Instructions
MARINATE THE PRAWNS
  • Peel and devein your shrimp then rinse and pat dry. 
  • Place in a glass container with one tablespoon of the oil, the crushed garlic and Cajun spice, season and mix well to combine.
  • Keep in a cool place while you prepare the remaining ingredients. It is important to keep them at room temperature and not cold, as they will sear better in your hot pan.
  • Placing cold seafood, meats or poultry in a hot pan hinders them from getting a good char and cooking well.
PREPARE SALAD INGREDIENTS
  • Wash lettuce and remove any damaged or wilted leaves, cut out the hard lettuce core.
  • Either pat or spin dry using a salad spinner, then shred.
  • Rinse your tomatoes, pat dry and then slice in half.
  • Wash and trim your onions then slice finely.
  • Rinse, remove the pit from the avocado and then cut into chunks. Squeeze some lemon juice or lime juice on top to prevent it from browning.
COOK YOUR PRAWNS
  • Place a non-stick frypan on high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil, once heated add the prawns and sauté for 1-2 minutes each side or until changed in colour and just cooked through.
  • Turn off the heat and squeeze some lime jor lemon uice on top.
PREPARE VINAIGRETTE
  • Add all the vinaigrette ingredients in a glass jar, season and shake well to emulsify.
ASSEMBLE THE SALAD
  • Add all the chopped vegetables to a large bowl, season and pour over the dressing. Toss well to combine.
  • Add the cooked prawns with the pan juices and toss them through the salad.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings according to your taste.
  • Arrange in a salad bowl, sprinkle a generous pinch of Cajun spice on top to garnish. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

TOP TIP
Cook your shrimp/prawns in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan otherwise, you will miss out on the slight char on the prawns and end up with boiled shrimp (adding cold shrimp to a hot pan lowers the temperature in the pan).
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 378mg | Sodium: 1188mg | Potassium: 687mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1586IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 246mg | Iron: 5mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @salads_with_anastasia or tag #salads_with_anastasia!
Share
Pin74
Post
Share

More Summer Salads

  • Kale Greek salad on a white plate with a blue napkin on the side.
    Kale Greek Salad
  • A close up of Fennel and Tomato Salad in a dark grey bowl with an orange linen napkin on the side.
    Fennel and Tomato Salad with Preserved Lemon
  • A variety of stone fruits spilling out of a white bowl.
    Pitting and Slicing Stone Fruits
  • Mango avocado salad with lime dressing in a mint bowl with a blush napkin and coconut flakes on the side.
    Mango Avocado Salad With Lime Dressing

About Anastasia Papapetros

Anastasia has been passionate about cooking since she was eight years old, and hasn't left the kitchen since! With over a decade of experience running her own coffee shop and catering business, Anastasia has developed a true love for salads - especially for family get-togethers and friends' functions. She's the go-to for bringing the perfect salad to any occasion!

Reader Interactions

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Photo of Anastasia.

Hi, I'm Anastasia! Let me show you how to transform your salads from boring and limp to bright, fresh and exciting using in-season fresh produce.

More about me →

Our Latest Posts

  • Green and red cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts cooked, cut and raw on a wooden surface.
    What Goes Well With Cabbage

  • Three different types of cabbage halves with a shreds in front on a wooden board.
    How to Cut Cabbage for Slaw

  • A pile of different types of cabbages.
    Discover 10 Cabbage Varieties (NEW)

  • Oregano vinaigrette in a small blue ceramic bowl with dried oregano, sprigs and a small olive oil jug on the side.
    Easy Oregano Vinaigrette

Welcome

ANASTASIA FROM SALADS WITH ANASTASIA

Hi, I’m Anastasia,
Let me show you how to transform your salads from boring and limp to bright, fresh and exciting using in-season produce.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Looking for a recipe?

Greek Salad Collection

NARROW PICS OF VARIOUS GREEK SALADS WITH A TEXT OVERLAY

Cheesy Salad Collection

Various salads with cheese and a text overlay.

Green Salad Collection

VARIETY OF GREEN SALADS WITH TEXT OVERLAY

Asian Salads

ASIAN SALAD COLLECTION WITH TEXT OVERLAY

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Site Credits
  • Contact Me

Get our guide for common salad fails and their fixes...

Recipes & Tools

  • Salads
  • Dressings
  • Spices & Condiments
  • Salad Tools
  • How to Guides
  • What's in Season

Copyright © 2024 · Salads with Anastasia · All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsOKAY
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.