Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad

Name: 🦐 Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 lb medium raw shrimp (peeled and deveined ); 1 Tbsp Blackened seasoning; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 Tbsp salted butter (optional ); 1 Tbsp lemon juice; 1-2 heads romaine (chopped); 1-2 leaves cabbage (shredded ); 2 Tbsp croutons; 3-4 Tbsp caesar dressing (or more as desired ); 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (shaved, for garnish); Black pepper (ground )

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Our delicious Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad combines the freshness of salad greens with the bold flavors of blackened shrimp. This salad has the perfect balance of smoky, tangy flavors and textures! Even better, this creamy caesar salad comes together in just 15 minutes!

Blackened shrimp caesar salad topped with cheese on a white plate.

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With the weather getting warmer, we can’t help but crave salad, and this dish really hits the spot with everyone in our household. Blackened shrimp is served atop crisp romaine lettuce that is tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing and garnished with Parmesan and crunchy croutons. We also recommend tossing some homemade cheese crisps on this salad for even extra flavor! This dish is sure to please a crowd and won’t leave you hungry!

If you love salads for dinner, be sure to also check out our Panzanella Toscana Salad as well as our Chicken Watermelon Salad. We love salads with added protein that keep you full and satisfied! Or if you’re looking for another way to cook with shrimp, try our popular Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta!

👍 Why We Love this Shrimp Caesar Salad

Quick and simple! Other than cooking the shrimp-which cooks incredibly fast- there is just some light chopping and tossing together of ingredients. Make this dish in 15 minutes or less!
Bold, savory flavors. We can’t get enough of the smoky flavor of blackened shrimp mixed with the fresh and tangy taste of our caesar salad.
Versatile. Serve this blackened shrimp caesar salad as a main course, a side or pair it with an entree of choice. You can also customize this salad by adding other veggies or even swapping blackened shrimp for chicken, steak or bacon.
Filling! The blackened shrimp adds a substantial amount of protein to this caesar salad, making it a more filling salad option.

🤔 What is Blackened Shrimp?

Blackened shrimp refers to shrimp that is coated in a mixture of herbs and chili spices and then cooked at medium or high heat in a cast iron skillet or pan. The seasoning blend typically includes ingredients such as paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and black pepper, among others.

The shrimp are cooked quickly until they develop a dark, charred exterior, hence the term “blackened.” This cooking method creates a smoky and flavorful crust on the outside while keeping the shrimp tender and juicy on the inside.

🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions

Ingredients for easy blackened shrimp caesar salad recipe.

Notes on key ingredients are provided below. Please see the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities.

Shrimp– We prefer raw shrimp that is peeled and deveined with tails removed. If using frozen shrimp, be sure shrimp is completely thawed before cooking.

Seasoning– Blackened seasoning (we like Kinder’s) or a combination of Paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, black pepper and cumin.

Salted Butter (not pictured)- This is optional but we think it adds a nice flavor to the shrimp.

Lemon– Lemon juice adds a pop of flavor to the shrimp. Be sure to check out our tips for juicing lemons.

Vegetables– We like chopped romaine and shredded cabbage for our caesar salad, but iceberg, spinach and/or kale will also work well!

Croutons– In our opinion, the crunchier, the better! Our favorite store-bought brand is Texas Toast’s caesar flavored croutons.

Dressing– Homemade or store-bought caesar dressing! Our go-to’s are Kraft Classic Caesar (the kids’ favorite) or Ken’s Steakhouse Creamy Caesar (the grown ups’ favorite). If you don’t like the flavor of caesar dressing, blue cheese or ranch would also work nicely.

Parmesan– Ideally shaved, for garnish. Shredded will also work.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Shrimp Caesar Salad

Raw shrimp coated with blackened seasoning in an orange bowl.

Step 1. Season shrimp with Blackened seasoning.

Seasoned shrimp for caesar salad cooking in the pan.

Step 2. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side and stir in butter (optional) until melted and combined. Squeeze 1/4 lemon over shrimp.

Combining caesar salad ingredients in a large silver bowl.

Step 3. Combine chopped romaine, red cabbage, croutons and dressing in a large bowl. Sprinkle on shaved cheese.

Adding blackened shrimp to caesar salad on a white plate.

Step 4. Plate caesar salad topped with blackened shrimp and a hint of ground black pepper as desired.

Shrimp caesar salad served on a white dish.

Kid Steps:

Squeeze lemon over shrimp. Kids will love to hear the sizzle the lemon makes when it hits the shrimp and pan.
Toss caesar salad! It’s always fun to watch ingredients blend together. We recommend using tongs for mixing salad ingredients.
Shave parmemsan. We love this Opinel veggie peeler for little hands!

✔️ Expert Tips and Tricks

Make the perfect bite-sized pieces of romaine by removing the base, making 2-3 cuts lengthwise from the romaine’s core, and then slicing horizontally into 1-inch pieces.
Keep ingredients from becoming soggy by mixing in dressing and croutons right before serving.
Use a caesar salad kit that includes dressing, cheese, and croutons to save time on chopping and shredding.
Avoid overcooking shrimp. Shrimp cook quickly, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them. They’ll become slightly firmer and turn a pale pink color when they’re done.
Add more salad toppings as desired! Chopped tomatoes, bacon, avocado or our homemade baked parmesan crisps are all great additions to this blackened shrimp caesar salad.
Slice cheese with a cheese shaver or vegetable peeler for paper-thin slices or curls of parmesan. Or, to save time, buy parmesan pre-shaved.

🥄 Serving Suggestions

This easy shrimp caesar salad is a fantastic choice for a light dinner, but don’t hesitate to add a side dish to round it out. Here are a few options we love:

Baked Potato
Lemon Garlic Pasta
Caprese Kabobs
Roasted Parmesan Asparagus
Cream Cheese Pasta
Garlic bread or rolls of choice
Couscous or rice

🧊 Storing and Reheating

Store shrimp in the refrigerator in an airtight container separate from salad for or up to 4 days. When ready to serve, heat the shrimp in a microwave-safe dish at increments of 15 seconds until warmed.

👧🏽 Tips for Picky Eaters

Shrimp on the side. Sometimes kids don’t like their different food groups mixed together.

Go easy on the dressing. Start with a small amount in case kids aren’t crazy about it. Or, serve kids their portion of shrimp caesar salad with the dressing on the side. Dipping is more fun, anyway!

Garlic Bread! My kids will eat almost any bread. Their favorite is Pepperidge Farm’s frozen garlic bread. It’s super easy. I always try to have two loaves in the freezer at a time.

❓ FAQ

Can I bake shrimp in the oven instead of pan- frying it?

While we prefer the crispy, flavorful crust of pan-fried shrimp, you may also cook shrimp in the oven. We recommend placing shrimp on a lined baking sheet and baking at 400°F until done.

What shrimp is best for blackened shrimp?

We recommend choosing shrimp that have been deveined and peeled with the tails removed for convenience. This saves time during preparation and ensures a smoother eating experience.

Can I cook shrimp on the grill?

Absolutely! If you want to cook shrimp on a grill, consider using skewers or kabobs. Simply coat shrimp in seasoning and thread shrimp onto wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for a few hours. Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side and serve over your caesar salad.

Can I use frozen shrimp for this dish?

Yes, frozen shrimp can be used for this dish as long as it is thawed properly ahead of time. To gradually thaw frozen shrimp, simply transfer the bag of frozen shrimp from the freezer to the fridge the day before you plan to cook this dish. Just be sure to remove any liquid gathered from thawing before seasoning.

To thaw shrimp more quickly, transfer shrimp into a sealed, Ziploc bag and submerge in a bowl of cold water for 20-30 minutes or until thawed. We recommend placing a plate or lid over the bowl to ensure shrimp remains fully submerged.

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✂️ Try this Shrimp Craft!

While the grown-ups cook, kids can learn to draw a shrimp with this adorable craft! Turns out, noodles make great shrimp legs! Grab some paper, glue, markers and dry noodles…and get crafting!