Grilled Shrimp Salad With Cilantro Lime Ranch
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REVIEWS)
PREP:
15 minutes
TOTAL:
SERVES:
4
I’m always up for a good grilled shrimp salad. We’re grilling colossal shrimp, marinated in a buttery garlic, oregano, thyme, lemon and pepper sauce. Tossed in a fresh summer and topped with a super simpler cilantro lime ranch dressing, makes this salad an easy win for the summer!
This shrimp marinate isn’t just for this salad. I use it for most of my grilled shrimp. Especially when going with these 4-6 count shrimp. They’re basically miniature lobster tails, and the flavor and texture is spot on.
Plus, since they’re so big, there’s less to deal with, making prep work quicker too!
For the marinade/finishing sauce I like to use the following
- Butter
- Oil
- Garlic
- lemon
- Greek seasoning
If you don’t have Greek seasoning on hand, a little salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, and thyme will work. Let this all simmer low in a sauce pan for a bit to let the flavor all get to know each other.
The oil can be optional if desired – I use it because it helps this stay in a liquid form when pouring over the cold shrimp to marinade.
Be sure to reserve a couple tablespoons worth of this sauce to baste while grilling and finish off.
Another benefit to these massive shrimp, is that you can split them down the middle, getting more surface area to get nice and charred on the grill.
And while they grill you can prep your ranch. Theres really nothing to this. You can either take an off the shelf ranch dressing, or make one yourself. Chop up some fresh cilantro, and squeeze in a lime or two into about a half cup of ranch dressing.
That’s it – congrats. You’ve just leveled up your ranch!
Sure, serving up a shrimp salad with massive shrimp may not be ideal. you’re probably going to want to chop it up before serving. But then what’s the point? How will your guests even know they were massive/
Keep the shell. Chop your shrimp up when present inside the shell! Boom goes the dynamite.
A grilled shrimp salad, leveled up with these massive, buttery, savory shrimp with the bright, citrusy ranch to contrast, is such a satisfying summer meal.
Need some more grilled shrimp inspo? check out this recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Salad With Cilantro Lime Ranch
Ingredients
- 1 lb colossal shrimp
- 1/2 stick salted butter
- 1/4 cup oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp greek seasoning
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley optional
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
- 1/2 cup cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup croutons
- 1/4 cup queso freca
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1-2 fresh limes to taste
- 1/4 cup cilantro minced
- 4-5 cups spring salad mix
Instructions
- In a saucepan, simmer butter, oil, garlic, and seasoning on low for about 5-10 minutes. Cut shrimp in half lengthwise, then add to a bowl with the herb sauce, reserving 2-3 tablespoons for later.
- Preheat grill on high heat, and let shrimp sit in sauce in the fridge. Prepare salad and top with sliced tomatoes, chopped cucumbers. stir in lime juice and minced cilantro into ranch dressing.
- Grill shrimp over direct heat; about 3-5 minutes per side, pouring a little bit of the remaining sauce over them.
- To present, chop shrimp into bite size pieces and place back into shell. Pour remaining sauce over the shrimp.
- add shrimp to the salad, top with croutons, queso fresca cheese and ranch dressing. Enjoy!
Nutrition
