It’s super flavorful, packed with protein, and so, so tasty!
What is Shrimp Louie Salad?
Shrimp Louie is a variation of the also delicious Crab Louie, which is a cold seafood salad thought to have originated in San Franciso, California sometime in the early 1900s. While Shrimp Louie and Crab Louie can still sometimes be found on west coast restaurant menus, this old-fashioned salad is a rarity in other areas. Luckily, it’s easy to make this wonderful salad, topped with sauteed shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, capers, and a sweet and savory homemade Louie dressing. If you need more filling shrimp salad recipes, make sure to try my Shrimp Cobb Salad and Shrimp Caesar Salad as well!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients for Shrimp Louie
Here’s what you need to make this amazing shrimp salad recipe:
Shrimp: You can use any size of shrimp to make this salad. I’m using 31-40 count or large shrimp. Medium or Jumbo shrimp work just as well. Buy uncooked shrimp, and be sure that they are peeled and deveined before you start. Eggs: Hard boil 4 eggs for this salad. I suggest steaming the eggs so that they are super easy to peel. Cajun Seasoning: To make the shrimp flavorful and a bit spicy. If you prefer a less spicy salad, use just smoked paprika instead. Salad Veggies: Romaine lettuce, sweet cherry tomatoes, and 1 ripe avocado. Capers: The acidity of these little pickled buds goes so well with seafood. Louie Salad Dressing: This dressing is similar to Thousand Island, with a base of mayonnaise and ketchup.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Shrimp Louie Salad
To Make the Louie Dressing
To Cook the Shrimp
To Assemble the Salad
Recipe Tips
Choose your spice level: I used Slap Ya Mamma cajun seasoning, and it’s quite spicy! Other cajun seasonings may be less spicy, or skip the seasoning and just use a bit of smoked paprika for no heat at all. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. Remove them from the skillet as soon as they are done, otherwise, they will continue to cook while you finish assembling the salad. Chill the dressing. Try to plan ahead so that the dressing has at least an hour to chill in the fridge. The flavors are so much better this way! If you need a shortcut, serve shrimp louie salad with your favorite bottled thousand island dressing. Although, the homemade dressing is so much more delicious! Use leftover Louie dressing as a dipping sauce for shrimp, crab, or lobster. Other ingredients to add to Shrimp Louie include crab meat, blanched asparagus or green beans, olives, red onion, or radishes. Instead of shrimp, try this salad with poached chicken or poached salmon!
Storing Tips
It’s best to enjoy this salad right after making it. If needed, you can prepare the dressing, the eggs, and the veggies up to a day ahead of time. Before serving, cook the shrimp fresh. I also suggest waiting to slice the avocado until serving so that it doesn’t turn brown.
Serving Suggestions
Shrimp Louie Salad is usually served as the main course and is acceptable as a lunch or light dinner.
You could also serve smaller portions of this salad as a side or appetizer too.
Try Shrimp Louie with a basket of homemade breadsticks on the side, or with your favorite soup.
This classic recipe for Shrimp Louie Salad is so filling and delicious! Serve it for lunch, or enjoy it as a light dinner. Pin the recipe to save it for later too!
© Little Sunny Kitchen
