Romaine Salad With Grilled Cajun Shrimp Recipe
Make Romaine Salad With Grilled Cajun Shrimp Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Salad
Cajun Shrimp
Dressing
Finish & Serve
Method
Salad
- 1
Prepare romaine
Wash romaine hearts thoroughly and spin dry. Trim the root end, then slice each heart lengthwise into halves or quarters depending on size to create roughly bite-sized pieces. Place in a large salad bowl and chill briefly while preparing other components.
- 2
Cajun Shrimp
- 3
Make shrimp marinade
In a medium bowl combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Whisk to combine.
- 4
Marinate shrimp
Add peeled and deveined shrimp (about 1 lb) to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Marinate at room temperature for 10–15 minutes (or refrigerate up to 30 minutes). Do not over-marinate, as acid will start to firm the shrimp.
- 5
Grill or pan-sear shrimp
Preheat a grill or a heavy skillet (cast iron) over medium-high heat and oil the grates or pan lightly. If using a grill, thread shrimp on skewers for easier turning. Cook shrimp 2–3 minutes per side (total 4–6 minutes) until opaque and just cooked through; internal temperature should reach 120–125°F (49–52°C) for tender shrimp. Avoid overcooking to keep shrimp juicy. Remove from heat and let rest 2 minutes.
Dressing
- 6
Combine dressing
In a small bowl whisk together 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp Cajun seasoning (optional), 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning or acidity to preference.
- 7
Texture & consistency
If dressing is too thick, whisk in 1–2 tsp water or additional lemon juice to reach a creamy but pourable consistency.
Finish & Serve
- 8
Assemble salad
Give the romaine and vegetables a gentle toss with about two-thirds of the dressing (reserve the rest for serving). Add the cooked Cajun shrimp on top of the salad. Dice and add the avocado if using.
- 9