Crunchy And Creamy Shrimp Salad Recipe

I aim to bring new twists to my favorite Shrimp Salad Recipes. This blend of tender shrimp, crisp celery, sweet red grapes and crunchy toasted walnuts, adjoined by the zing of Dijon mustard and lemon juice, offers a delightful balance of savory and refreshing flavors that truly excite any palate.

I’m really excited to share my take on this Crunchy And Creamy Shrimp Salad. I’ve always been a fan of seafood salad recipes and this one definitely does not disappoint.

I start off with 1 lb of cooked shrimp, roughly chopped, mixed in with diced celery, halved red grapes and a few finely diced red onions. Adding in some toasted walnuts gives it that awesome crunch you don’t usually find in a typical shrimp salad recipe.

The dressing is where the magic happens – I mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice. A pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper ties everything together perfectly.

I’ve tried lots of shrimp recipes for dinner and this version is one of the best I’ve encountered, combining simplicity with harmonized flavors that keep you coming back for more. Give it a go and see what you think!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this shrimp salad recipe because it mixes crunchy and creamy textures in such a cool way. The celery and toasted walnuts give it that awesome crunch while the mayonnaise and sour cream dressing keeps everything smooth and tasty. I also like how the red grapes add a surprising burst of sweetness that balances out the savory flavors from the shrimp and red onion. Lastly, its simplicity makes it easy to throw together for a quick lunch or light dinner, which is perfect for my busy days.

Ingredients

• Shrimp is a lean, protein rich seafood that gives a subtle briny flavor for satiety.
• Celery adds crunchy texture and fiber, making it a fresh, crisp bite.
• Red grapes contribute a burst of natural sweetness along with antioxidants that brighten the taste.
• Red onion infuses tangy zest and essential nutrients with a slight bite for extra kick.
• Toasted walnuts provide healthy fats, crunch and omega 3 goodness for a rich texture.
• Lemon juice imparts bright sour notes that balance the salad’s richer components.
• Dijon mustard supplies a mild zing, bringin all flavors together in harmony.
• Mayonnaise and sour cream deliver a creamy texture, balancing tangy ingredients and crisp crunch.
• The blend of creamy, crunchy and tangy notes makes this salad uniquely balanced.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, roughly chopped
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1/2 cup red grapes, halved (you can substitute with crunched apples if you prefer)
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1/3 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How to Make this

1. In a big bowl, combine the roughly chopped cooked shrimp, diced celery, halved red grapes, finely diced red onion, and roughly chopped toasted walnuts.

2. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice until the dressing is smooth.

3. Add a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper into the dressing and stir again.

4. Pour the dressing over the shrimp mixture and gently toss everything together so all the ingredients are well coated.

5. Taste the salad and add more salt and pepper if needed.

6. Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can blend nicely.

7. Give it one last toss before serving.

8. Enjoy your crunchy and creamy shrimp salad as it is, or serve it on a bed of lettuce for extra crunch.

Equipment Needed

1. Large mixing bowl for combining the shrimp, celery, grapes, red onion, and walnuts
2. Small mixing bowl for whisking together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice
3. Whisk for making the dressing smooth
4. Knife for chopping the shrimp, celery, grapes, red onion, and walnuts
5. Cutting board to chop all your ingredients on
6. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure out the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice
7. Refrigerator for chilling the salad to let the flavors meld together
8. Serving utensil, like a large spoon or salad tongs, for tossing and serving the salad

FAQ

Crunchy And Creamy Shrimp Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Celery: You can use diced bell peppers or chopped cucumbers if you dont like the strong celery flavor.
• Red grapes: If grapes arent your thing, try using apple chunks or even pear slices for a similar sweet crunch.
• Mayonnaise: Instead of mayo, greek yogurt is a good swap to keep that creamy feel but with a lighter touch.
• Toasted walnuts: Almonds or pecans work well if you dont have walnuts, offering a similar nutty crunch.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you toast the walnuts until they’re lightly browned to really bring out their nutty flavor – just watch them carefully cause they can burn in no time.
2. If you’re substituting grapes with apples, try using a crunchy variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to keep that satisfying bite in the salad.
3. When tossing the shrimp and other chunks with the dressing, be extra gentle so that the shrimp don’t break up and lose their texture.
4. For an extra kick of flavor, let the salad chill longer than the recommended 30 minutes if you got the time – it’ll let all those tastes meld together even better.