Italian Shrimp Salad

This garlicky Italian shrimp salad recipe is packed with shrimp, celery, and a mix of bold Italian olives, all brightened up with a lemony dressing.

Italian Shrimp Salad

Shrimp salad is my go-to dish when I need to bring an appetizer to a party! It's a great way to ensure I get lean protein and have a healthy option when eating healthy is out of my control. I recently brought this shrimp salad to a party and everyone loved it! It's refreshing, high in protein, and perfect for the warmer months. The flavors of the olives, celery and garlic only get better when they marinate in the fridge and the best part is, it's all cooked! Just combine all the ingredients and marinate. It's also great for making a cold lunch! Another favorite that I always make is this Avocado Lime Shrimp Salad , this Creamy Shrimp Salad , and Italian Shrimp Pasta Salad for more variations.

Ingredients for Italian Shrimp Salad

• Shrimp: Shrimp, being a nutrient-rich fish, fits well into the guidelines of the Mediterranean diet thanks to its high protein content and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Buy peeled, stripped, pre-cooked shrimp to save time. If the tails are still attached, remove them and then cut the prawns in half.
• Celery adds a pleasant crunch and provides fiber and vitamins.
• Pitted Italian Olives: Kalamata and Castelvetrano olives are good choices. Make sure you buy them pitted!
• Red onion: Chop a quarter cup of red onion.
• Garlic: No Italian shrimp salad would be complete without plenty of garlic! I used five cloves, but if you want a more delicate flavor, start with two.
• Chopped parsley adds freshness and a beautiful green color.
• Italian Shrimp Salad Dressing: Four simple ingredients come together to create a tasty vinaigrette: extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt and black pepper.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to make Italian Shrimp Salad

This simple Italian Shrimp Salad takes just a few minutes to prepare.

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix.
2. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or overnight to let the flavors meld.

Suggestions

• How to cook shrimp: If your prawns are raw, sauté them in a pan with a drizzle of oil for a couple of minutes on each side until they are opaque.
• Where to buy olives: I usually get mixed Italian olives from the Italian store or appetizer section of the supermarket, not from the jarred olive aisle. If all you can find are jarred olives, don't worry: they'll still work.

Variations

• Shrimp Size: You can use any size shrimp. If you get smaller shrimp, you won't have to cut them.
• Italian seafood salad: Add other seafood, such as lobster, calamari, scallops or mussels.
• Vegetables: Under celery with cucumber or pepper.
• Onions: Replace the red onion with shallots.

What to Serve with Italian Shrimp Salad

I love this Italian seafood salad for a quick weeknight dinner or an easy dish to serve at a party. Here are some suggestions on what to accompany it.

Storing and preparing meals

You can store this Italian shrimp salad in the refrigerator for 3 days. The flavors improve as they sit.

More shrimp recipes you'll love