Are you ready for a salad packed with a medley of crisp, fresh vegetables and succulent shrimp? I bring you this Mediterranean Shrimp Salad - loaded with juicy shrimp, olives, fresh veggies, and is topped with feta cheese and a beautiful lemony dressing to bring you tons of Mediterranean flavors in a bowl!
for more salad recipes, try this Greek Cucumber Salad and Seafood Pasta Salad!
This delicious salad is one that you'll want to bookmark and save forever. It's easy, quick, and SO. SO. good.
My take on Mediterranean salad is an homage to the aromatic herbs and fresh veggies that define the region's cuisine. It's a mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, avocado, artichokes, and radishes (to name a few) - and of course - pan seared juicy shrimp! The salad is then crowned with crumbled feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes, and an easy lemon vinaigrette that unifies the flavors and textures into a masterpiece!
This dish is ideal for meal prep, a light lunch, or easy dinners on hot summer days! It's also great to make for a last minute dish when you're in a hurry because it only takes about 20 minutes to make!
Overview of Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Black and Green Olives: We're using a mix of olives for a nice mix of flavor. Green olives are a bit salty and have a nice tangy flavor while black olives are more fruity with a nice bit of brininess. fun fact: Did you know that California is the only state that produces ripe olives or canning in the US? Be sure to look for California origin on the can when buying olives at the grocery store for the best olives!
- Roasted Red Peppers: I used jarred roasted red peppers for the sake of time and convenience.
- Radishes
- English Cucumbers
- Sun-dried Tomatoes
- Red Onion: slice as thinly as possible. If you'd like to lessen the bite of the red onion, soak in cold water for about 20 minutes - this is totally optional.
- Canned Chickpeas or Garbanzo Beans: be sure to rinse and drain prior to adding to the salad.
- Marinated Artichoke Hearts: this is totally optional but SO good! Those tender artichokes add so much flavor and deliciousness to this shrimp salad recipe. I purchased mine from Whole foods, but you can also make your own! Here's an article on everything you need to know about artichokes!
- Large or Jumbo Shrimp: I do not recommend using pre-cooked shrimp - it tends to be overcooked and lacks flavor. Use fresh shrimp, it has better texture, great flavor, and .. it's just better!
How to make Mediterranean Shrimp Salad
First, cook the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry and season shrimp with garlic powder, onion powder, garlic salt, oregano, and parsley. (Note: If using frozen shrimp, allow it to thaw in cold water or about 20-30 minutes prior to cooking.)
Add a little olive oil to a skillet over medium heat and warm. Add shrimp and saute on both sides or about 3-4 minutes. When the shrimp is slightly curled and pink, remove from the pan and set aside to cool.
Make the lemony vinaigrette. Combine extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, fresh herbs, diced garlic, honey, and salt and pepper to taste.
In a large bowl, combine drained chickpeas, sliced red onions, cucumbers, marinated artichoke hearts, radishes, green olives, black olives, roasted red bell pepper, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and shrimp. Top with eta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh chopped parsley.
Drizzle vinaigrette on top and enjoy! Serve with crusty bread for light dinners or an incredible side dish!
Variations
- Add pasta for a delicious Greek-inspired pasta salad!
- Like a little spice? Top with red pepper flakes for a nice kick!
- Love a salad with vibrant color? Up the ante and add more colorful veggies! I love using green pepper and orange bell pepper for a boost of veggies, a nice crunch, and a pop of color.
- Don't like chickpeas? Try adding cannellini beans instead!
- Watching your carb intake? Make this salad low carb by omitting the beans.
Pro Tips
- Use Quality Shrimp: Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture. Opt for wild-caught shrimp if possible, and ensure they are properly cleaned and deveined.
- Don't overcook the shrimp! Cook the shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque. Overcooking can lead to a rubbery texture. You can grill, sauté, or even poach the shrimp for your salad.
- Toss Gently: To evenly distribute the dressing, toss the salad gently using your hands or salad tongs. Avoid over-tossing, as this can bruise delicate greens.
- Serve Immediately: Mediterranean shrimp salad is best enjoyed immediately after assembling to maintain the freshness and textures of the ingredients.
Recipe FAQs
While the exact ingredients can vary, here are some common components you might find in a Mediterranean salad are olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onions, and radishes. Many salads also contain a protein and a grain or pasta like orzo or couscous.
Yes, shrimp can be a good choice when following a Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats, which align well with the nutritional profile of shrimp.
Shrimp is a delicate seafood that cooks relatively quickly. The cooking method you choose depends on the dish you're preparing and the texture you're aiming for. Both fast and slow cooking methods can be effective, but they yield different results. fast cooking methods like sauteing and grilling give the shrimp a nice sear and a crunchy exterior and soft interior. Slow cooking method like baking and poaching result in a soft and tender shrimp.
It's generally not necessary to rinse shrimp after thawing, especially if you've thawed them properly in the refrigerator. Rinsing shrimp after thawing can actually increase the risk of cross-contamination and may not provide any significant benefits. Simply pat the shrimp dry prior to seasoning and that will suffice.
More Salad Recipes
- Restaurant Style House Salad
- Seafood Pasta Salad
- Chickpea Chopped Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
- Burrata Salad
This blog post and recipe was made in partnership with California Grown and CA Ripe Olives. I received compensation in exchange for this work. My opinions on their products are genuine. Thanks for your continued support!
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Mediterranean Shrimp Salad
Equipment
- Skillet
- Large Serving Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb Jumbo Shrimp , peeled and deveined
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Parsley
- ½ tsp Oregano
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Mediterranean Salad
- 15.5 oz Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)
- ½ Red Onion (sliced thinly)
- 1 English Cucumber (sliced)
- 1 cup Marinated Artichokes
- 3 Radishes (sliced)
- 1 cup Green Olives
- 1 cup Black Olives
- 12 oz Roasted Red Peppers (jarred)
- 1 Avocado (sliced)
- 2 cups Grape Tomatoes
- 1 cup Feta Cheese
- ⅓ cup Sun Dried Tomatoes (drain oFF the oil)
- Fresh Parsley , For garnish
Olive Oil Lemon Dressing
- ⅓ cup Olive Oil
- ¼ cup Lemon Juice
- 3 tbsps Fresh Parsley
- 1 tsp Fresh Oregano
- 2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 3 tbsps Honey
Directions
- Begin by preparing the shrimp. IF using frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw completely prior to cooking.
- Add shrimp to a bowl and add seasonings. Toss together.
- Drizzle olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook on each side For 3-4 minutes, until slightly curled and pink. Do not overcook! Remove From the pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine drained chickpeas, sliced red onions, cucumbers, marinated artichoke hearts, radishes, green olives, black olives, roasted red pepper, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and shrimp. Top with Feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh chopped parsley.
- Make the lemony vinaigrette. Combine extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, fresh herbs, diced garlic, dijon mustard, honey, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk together.
- Drizzle vinaigrette on top and enjoy! Serve with crusty bread for light dinners or an incredible side dish!
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