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When I was in graduate school, I lived above a charming little french restaurant which I frequented weekly. One of my favorite items on the menu was a simple warm shrimp salad. I can’t recall exactly what was in it but I know jumbo shrimp and avocado were involved. This recipe is my attempt to recreate that salad, and I have to say, I think it’s pretty darn good. I opted for a Champagne vinaigrette to keep it “french” and added grapefruit and mixed herbs to jazz it up a bit. You can serve it as an entree or as side – I think it goes great with steak if you are in the mood for surf and turf. It also makes a great salad for entertaining.
Looking for more shrimp recipes? Try my creamy shrimp risotto or drunken shellfish stew!
Notes on Warm Shrimp Salad
This salad is really pretty easy to make. For best results use nice big jumbo shrimp and be sure not to overcook them. If you don’t have champagne vinegar you can make a vinaigrette with white or red wine vinegar (or whatever vinegar you have on hand).
Make it Ahead
This salad doesn’t take long to assemble but you can do most of the work ahead of time if needed. I suggest prepping the shrimp (peeling and deveining them if needed), cleaning and chopping your lettuce and herbs, and preparing the vinaigrette. Wait to slice the avocado as it can turn brown if it sits to long. Store the vinaigrette, shrimp and the salad in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat. Then simply cook the shrimp and finish the assembly. Note: Your vinaigrette might solidify a bit in the fridge. Just let it rest on the counter for 10 minutes. You can zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds too if you are in a rush. Give it a good whisking before pouring over the salad.
Suggested Pairings
We often pair this salad with steaks. It makes for a lovely surf and turf feast. It also works great as an entree when you are in the mood for a lighter meal. Serve it with a crusty french bread to round out your dinner. If you would like to imbibe with your dinner, I suggest a nice crisp rose or savignon blanc.
Warm Shrimp Salad
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 8
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: salad
Description
This warm shrimp salad makes a great entree for summer nights. You can also serve it as a side – it pairs great with steak if you are in the mood for surf and turf!
Ingredients
Champagne Grapefruit Vinaigrette
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 1 large grapefruit, divided – you will use 2 tbsp of the juice (see note)
- ¼ cup champagne vinegar
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ good quality olive oil
Salad
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 large avocado, peeled and sliced
- remaining grapefruit piece, sliced (see note)
- ⅓ cup of fresh chopped herbs (I use parsley, chives, and mint from the garden)*
- Shredded parmesan (optional)
Instructions
Vinaigrette
- Combine all ingredients except the olive oil in a small bowl and whisk together. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Continue to whisk until the dressing emulsifies. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Shrimp
- Pat the shrimp dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large sautee pan. When oil is hot, add shrimp and cook 3 minutes. Turn the shrimp and cook another 3 to 4 minutes. Give them a stir and another minute if needed but be careful not to overcook. Remove from heat.*
Salad
- Combine the greens, grapefruit and avocado slices, and herbs in large salad bowl. I prefer a wide bowls with low sides for mixing and serving salads.
- Add the warm shrimp and half of the dressing. Toss and add more dressing as needed. I usually have some left over.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan (if using) and serve immediately.
Notes
I use 1 large grapefruit for this recipe, I slice it into two pieces – almost like you are slicing it in half but I make one piece bigger than the other. You will use the smaller piece to get 2 tbsp of juice for the vinaigrette. Peel the bigger piece and cut it into slices for the salad.
*This is the cook time for jumbo shrimp. If you are using a smaller size, they will cook much quicker.
*Red romaine is my favorite for this salad but spring mix and butter lettuce are also good.
*You can use a mix of herbs or just 1 type.
Keywords: shrimp, salad, avocado, grapefruit
