Easy Cucumber Shrimp Salad Recipe: Fresh Summer Joy in Minutes

Cool cucumber shrimp salad brings a refreshing twist to summer dining that instantly awakens taste buds.

Lightweight ingredients combine in a harmonious blend of crisp textures and vibrant flavors.

Seafood enthusiasts appreciate this delightful dish for its remarkable simplicity and elegant presentation.

Mediterranean-inspired culinary techniques reinvent ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that feels both sophisticated and approachable.

Nutritious proteins intermingle with garden-fresh vegetables, creating a balanced combination that satisfies hunger and delights the palate.

Delicate shrimp provide a succulent centerpiece that complements the cucumber clean, cool essence.

You’ll find this recipe perfect for warm afternoons, backyard gatherings, or intimate dinner moments.

What You Need for Cucumber Shrimp Salad

• Shrimp: Fresh, sweet seafood that provides protein and main flavor of the salad. Wild-caught or farm-raised options work well.

• Cucumber, Green Onions: Crisp vegetables adding freshness and crunch to the salad. Choose firm, bright green cucumber without soft spots.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base that creates rich, tangy dressing. Full-fat versions provide better texture and flavor.
• Lime: Adds bright, citrusy notes and helps tenderize seafood. Fresh lime works best for maximum zest and juice.
• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that brings light, aromatic flavor to the dish. Choose bright green, fragrant sprigs.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides subtle tang and helps emulsify dressing. Smooth variety recommended.
• Garlic: Adds sharp, pungent flavor to enhance overall taste. Fresh garlic cloves preferred over pre-minced.

• Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors in the salad. Coarse texture allows better control of seasoning.

How to Assemble a Crisp and Juicy Shrimp Salad

Step 1: Whip Up The Tangy Dressing

• Creamy mayo
• Velvety sour cream
• Zesty lime zest
• Fresh lime juice
• Chopped dill
• Dijon mustard
• Minced garlic
• Kosher salt

Tuck the dressing into the refrigerator to chill.

Step 2: Perfectly Poach The Seafood

Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Gently drop in the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until they transform into a beautiful pink color and are fully cooked through.

Step 3: Create A Cooling Spa Bath

Prepare a large bowl with an ice water bath. Use a skimmer or slotted spoon to transfer the hot shrimp into the icy water. Let them cool down for about 3 minutes. Drain the shrimp in a colander and chop into bite-sized morsels.

Step 4: Craft The Ultimate Summer Salad

• Crisp cucumber chunks
• Sliced green onions
• Chopped shrimp

Pour the chilled dressing over the ingredients and toss until everything is beautifully coated. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing flavors!

Tips to Keep Cucumber Shrimp Salad Refreshing

• Chill Shrimp Perfectly: Immediately transfer shrimp to ice water bath to stop cooking and prevent rubbery texture, ensuring tender and succulent seafood.
• Maximize Dressing Flavor: Prepare dressing at least 30 minutes before serving to allow herbs and seasonings to meld and intensify the overall taste profile.
• Dice Cucumber Strategically: Remove seeds before chopping to prevent excess water and maintain crisp salad consistency.
• Select Fresh Ingredients: Choose firm, translucent shrimp and crisp cucumbers for the best texture and brightest flavor.
• Control Seasoning Gradually: Add salt incrementally and taste as you go, preventing over-salting and allowing each ingredient's natural flavor to shine.

Cucumber Shrimp Salad That’s Fresh, Light, and Zesty

• Savor Quick Coastal Freshness: This cucumber shrimp salad delivers a burst of ocean-inspired flavors within minutes, perfect for seafood lovers wanting a light and refreshing meal that feels like a mini beach vacation.
• Master Effortless Gourmet Technique: The recipe showcases professional cooking methods like ice bath cooling and precise shrimp cooking, allowing home cooks to achieve restaurant-quality results with minimal culinary skills.
• Celebrate Zesty Creamy Texture Fusion: Creamy lime dressing combined with crisp cucumber and tender shrimp creates an exciting flavor profile that balances tangy, cool, and succulent elements in every delightful bite.
• Enjoy Lightning-Speed Preparation: From boiling shrimp to mixing ingredients, this salad comes together in under 15 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy professionals, last-minute gatherings, or quick lunch solutions.

Proper Storage for Shrimp Salad Without Sogginess

• Refrigerate: Store leftover cucumber shrimp salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Avoid freezing this salad as mayonnaise-based dressings separate and become watery when thawed, compromising texture and taste.
• Reheating: This salad is best enjoyed cold. If needed, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to enhance flavors. Gently stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Bright Pairings for This Refreshing Shrimp Dish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a bright, zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio that complements the lime and seafood flavors, cutting through the creamy dressing with refreshing acidity.
• Serve alongside Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or baguette to soak up the delicious dressing and add a satisfying crunch that balances the soft shrimp and cucumber textures.
• Match with Citrus Cocktail: Mix a light mojito or gin and tonic with extra lime to echo the salad's tangy profile, creating a harmonious summer-inspired dining experience that enhances the dish's bright notes.
• Add Chilled Cucumber Gazpacho: Pour a small shot of cold cucumber soup as a complementary starter that mirrors the salad's fresh ingredients and provides a cooling, elegant prelude to the main course.

Flavor Adjustments for Cucumber Shrimp Salad

• Spicy Seafood Kick: Add chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the dressing for a zesty heat that complements the shrimp's sweetness.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, add crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle chopped kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version.
• Tropical Summer Remix: Incorporate diced mango or pineapple chunks to bring a sweet, refreshing element that pairs beautifully with the shrimp and cucumber.
• Herb Garden Blend: Swap fresh dill for a mix of chopped basil, mint, and parsley to create a more complex and aromatic herb profile in the salad.

Cucumber Shrimp Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cool cucumber shrimp salad brings Mediterranean coastal charm to summer dining. Crisp herbs, zesty lemon, and succulent shrimp create a refreshing symphony you’ll crave on warm afternoons.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Vegetables:

• 1 English cucumber, small diced
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

Dressing Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) sour cream
• 1 large lime, zested and juiced (about 2 teaspoons zest and 2 tablespoons juice)
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) kosher salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Whisk the creamy dressing ingredients together in a small container, blending mayonnaise, sour cream, tangy lime essence, freshly chopped dill, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and a pinch of kosher salt until smooth and well-integrated.
2. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, gently submerge the shrimp, and cook for 2-3 minutes until they transform into a vibrant pink color and achieve complete doneness.
3. Create an ice water bath in a spacious bowl while the shrimp are cooking, then swiftly transfer the cooked shrimp using a skimmer or slotted spoon to halt the cooking process and rapidly cool them down.
4. Drain the shrimp thoroughly in a colander, then carefully slice them into bite-sized morsels to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
5. In a large mixing vessel, combine the crisp cucumber chunks, delicate green onion slices, and freshly chopped shrimp, creating a harmonious seafood medley.
6. Pour the chilled, zesty lime dressing over the salad components, gently tossing to ensure each ingredient is elegantly coated with the creamy mixture.
7. Refrigerate the salad briefly to enhance the flavors and serve thoroughly chilled for a refreshing culinary experience.

Notes

• Chill the dressing beforehand to enhance the flavors and allow ingredients to meld together.
• Cook shrimp precisely to avoid rubbery texture; 2-3 minutes ensures perfect tenderness and prevents overcooking.
• Use an ice water bath immediately after boiling to stop cooking process and maintain shrimp’s delicate texture.
• Select fresh, crisp cucumbers for the best crunch and clean taste in the salad.
• Adjust seasoning to personal preference by adding extra lime juice or dill for brightness.
• Serve within 2 hours of preparation to maintain optimal freshness and prevent soggy vegetables.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 272
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 335 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 174 mg