This simple blackened shrimp salad combines butter lettuce (or any leafy greens), red onion, corn, avocado, and feta cheese. The ingredient list is short yet customizable. Enjoy it as a main or a side, drizzled with olive oil and lime for a refreshing, filling, and delicious meal!
Ingredients and Nutrition
Blackened shrimp lettuce salad is made with the following nine simple ingredients. Feel free to personalize your salad by substituting other leafy greens and vegetables to suit your preferences.
Shrimp
This easy shrimp and lettuce salad features jumbo shrimp, perfectly sized for a salad entrée. Smaller sized shrimp also work well.
For added convenience, save time by using pre-peeled and deveined shrimp.
Shrimp is a low-calorie food that supplies the following nutrients:
- Protein: Builds muscles, tissues, organs, and cells, and is essential for producing hormones, enzymes, and antibodies
- Polyunsaturated fats: A healthy fat that can lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol
- Vitamin B12: Essential for red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and supports brain health and nervous system function
- Phosphorus: Important for waste filtration, tissue repair, cellular maintenance, strong bones, dental health, and energy production.
- Choline: Vital for cell membrane maintenance and supports brain health, cognitive function, liver function, and fat metabolism
Lettuce
In this blackened shrimp salad recipe, we use butter lettuce as the base, but you can substitute it with any leafy greens, like spinach or red leaf lettuce.
Leafy greens offer nutrients like vitamins A and K, potassium, folate, and fiber, with darker varieties generally offering higher nutrient content.
Frozen sweet corn
Frozen sweet corn is a convenient choice for quick recipes like blackened shrimp salad. But fresh or canned corn works, too. Lightly charring the corn enhances its sweetness, adds smoky flavor, and improves texture.
Corn provides fiber and nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A.
Red onion
Red onion adds a tangy and crisp flavor to the blackened shrimp lettuce salad, complementing the other ingredients. Feel free to omit or use another type of onion.
Onions contain quercetin, a natural plant pigment with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Avocado
Avocados add a creamy texture and nutty flavor while providing heart-healthy monounsaturated fats
They’re also rich in fiber, vitamins C, E, K, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin.
Other ingredients
- Blackened seasoning: Simplifies the spice mixing process; typically includes paprika, garlic powder, Kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, cayenne, and onion powder
- Feta cheese: Adds a tangy, salty, creamy element; can be omitted or substituted
- Olive oil: Used for cooking the corn and shrimp and for the salad dressing.
- A squeeze of lime juice: Adds a tangy and refreshing citrus flavor
There’s no salt in this shrimp lettuce salad recipe because the blackened seasoning and feta cheese already contain salt.
Steps
Combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with blackened seasoning and a squeeze of lime juice in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the rest of the salad ingredients and cook the corn.
Chop the lettuce, red onion, and avocado that will go into the blackened shrimp salad. Place all the chopped ingredients in an entree bowl along with the crumbled feta cheese. Set aside.
To lessen the strong taste of raw onion, soak chopped onion in water before adding it to the salad. This helps reduce the sulfur compounds that contribute to the onion’s intense flavor.
In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, sauté the corn in half a tablespoon of olive oil. Season with blackened seasoning or salt.
Stir frequently for about 5 minutes, cooking until the corn is slightly charred.
Transfer the cooked corn to the entree bowl containing the other salad ingredients.
In the same pan, heat half a tablespoon of olive oil and add the marinated shrimp. Cook for 1.5 to 2 minutes on each side.
Transfer the cooked shrimp to the entree bowl and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Finish with a squeeze of lime and toss all the ingredients together.
Savor this blackened shrimp salad either on its own or accompanied by a bread roll or warmed tortillas. See Frequently Asked Questions for more serving ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some other delicious salad ingredients you can add:
– Cherry tomatoes
– Cucumbers
– Bell peppers
– Radishes
– Green or yellow onion
– Blue cheese
– Black olives
– Fresh herbs (such as cilantro or parsley)
– Roasted red peppers
– Sliced almonds or other nuts for added crunch
Several other carb options can complement this blackened shrimp salad recipe like:
Rice: Serve the shrimp salad over a bed of cooked rice
Quinoa: Prepare quinoa and use it as a base for the blackened shrimp salad
Pasta: Toss the blackened shrimp salad with cooked pasta, such as penne, fusilli, or orzo
Couscous: Mix shrimp salad with couscous for a fluffy texture
Sweet potato: Serve roasted or mashed sweet potatoes alongside the shrimp salad
Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning is a popular choice that shares some similarities with blackened seasoning. Similar to blackened seasoning, Cajun seasoning is available for purchase as a pre-made blend, or you can make your blend. It typically includes a blend of spices like paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, Kosher salt, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne.
Chili Powder: While it may not replicate the flavor of blackened seasoning, chili powder can add a kick to your dish. It typically contains a mix of cayenne, cumin, and garlic powder. Be aware that chili powder can vary in heat levels, so adjust accordingly.
Smoked Paprika: Adding smoked paprika can impart a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to your dish. It works well as a standalone seasoning or in combination with other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Salad 9 Ingredients
Equipment
- 1 medium bowl
- Measuring spoons and cups
- 1 cutting board
- 1 chef knife
- 1 medium frying pan
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon blackened seasoning blend
- 2 to 3 cups of lettuce or other leafy greens
- ½ small avocado (or ¼ large avocado), peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped or thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup frozen sweet corn
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided into 1 tablespoon and two ½ tablespoons)
- 2 lime wedges (or lemon wedge)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, blackened seasoning, and lime juice; set aside to marinate while preparing the salad ingredients.
- Chop the lettuce, red onion, and avocado, then add them to a large bowl along with the crumbled feta cheese.
- If raw onion's flavor is too strong, soak the chopped onion in water for a few minutes before adding it to the salad.
- Heat ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the frozen corn and season with salt or blackened seasoning.
- Stir frequently and cook for about 5 minutes until the corn is slightly charred. Then, transfer the cooked corn to the bowl with the other salad ingredients.
- In the same frying pan, heat ½ tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp and cook for 1½ to 2 minutes per side.
- Transfer the cooked shrimp to the bowl with the salad ingredients.
- Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and a squeeze of lime or lemon. Toss to combine and enjoy!
Tried this recipe? What variations or adaptations did you make? Share in the comments.
