Creamy Cucumber Shrimp Salad: A Light & Flavorful Favorite Recipe
This Creamy Cucumber Shrimp Salad is a light, refreshing, and flavorful dish perfect for warm days or as a healthy meal option. Combining tender cooked shrimp with crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a tangy and creamy homemade dressing, this salad offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes. Ideal as a standalone meal or paired with grains or bread, it’s both easy to prepare and versatile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 1 lb (450g) cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Veggies: Thinly slice the cucumbers and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes and dice the avocado carefully to maintain texture and freshness.
- Combine the Salad: In a large bowl, gently mix together the cooked shrimp, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, red onion, fresh dill, and parsley. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and honey. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Toss and Chill: Pour the creamy dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to coat evenly without breaking the avocado. Cover and refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and chill.
- Garnish: Before serving, sprinkle extra chopped fresh herbs such as dill or parsley on top, or add a light dusting of paprika for added color and a subtle flavor boost. Serve chilled.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with vegan alternatives and use plant-based yogurt instead of Greek yogurt.
- To add some heat, include chopped jalapeño or a dash of your favorite hot sauce in the dressing or salad mix.
- For a vegan alternative, replace shrimp with marinated tofu or chickpeas to retain protein and texture.
- This salad pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, cooked quinoa, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- You can prepare components in advance and store them separately, combining them just before serving to keep ingredients fresh.
Keywords: Cucumber shrimp salad, creamy shrimp salad, light shrimp salad, summer salad, no-cook shrimp recipe, refreshing salad, creamy dressing
