Description
A delightful Shrimp Caesar Salad featuring perfectly seasoned and pan-seared shrimp, homemade garlic croutons baked to a golden crisp, and a creamy Caesar dressing made with anchovy paste, lemon, and Parmesan. This fresh, flavorful salad comes together in 30 minutes and serves four, making it an ideal meal for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound shrimp (cleaned and deveined)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Croutons
- 1/2 French baguette (cut in half and sliced into 1/4″ thick slices)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Caesar Salad Dressing
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons anchovy paste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salad Base
- 1 large romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded or shaved)
Instructions
- Cook Shrimp: Place a skillet over high heat. In a bowl, mix the shrimp with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add oil to the hot skillet and cook the shrimp on each side for 2 minutes until browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Make Croutons: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sliced bread in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine olive oil with minced garlic and drizzle this mixture over the bread slices. Toss until all slices are evenly coated with the garlic oil. Arrange the bread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes until the croutons are lightly golden and crisp.
- Prepare Caesar Salad Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Assemble the Salad: Rinse and dry the romaine lettuce thoroughly. Chop the lettuce and place it in a large serving bowl. Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese. Add the cooled croutons and the cooked shrimp. Drizzle half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Add more dressing if needed to taste.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for best freshness and texture.
Notes
- Make sure shrimp is cooked just until opaque and juicy to avoid overcooking.
- You can substitute French baguette with any crusty bread for croutons.
- For a lighter dressing, reduce mayonnaise and sour cream quantities or substitute with Greek yogurt.
- Anchovy paste is key for authentic Caesar flavor but can be omitted for a milder taste.
- Ensure lettuce is dry to prevent soggy salad.
- Leftover dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: shrimp caesar salad, shrimp salad, homemade caesar dressing, garlic croutons, easy shrimp recipes, healthy salad
