high protein salad Shrimp Sesame Salad and fresh greens

What Makes Shrimp Sesame Salad So Special

Crunchy, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this shrimp sesame salad is a delightful harmony of textures and tastes. Succulent shrimp, toasted sesame seeds, and crisp vegetables come together in a tangy sesame-ginger dressing that’s both light and satisfying. Whether you’re craving a high-protein lunch or a vibrant side dish, this Asian-inspired salad delivers with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

I’ll never forget the first time I made this sesame shrimp salad—I nearly burned the sesame seeds! But that little mishap taught me to keep a close eye on toasting them just until golden. Now, I make sure to let the shrimp marinate in the dressing for those extra five minutes—it makes all the difference. Trust me, once you taste this, you’ll be making it on repeat!

Shrimp Sesame Salad

320kcal

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Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 5 minutes mins

Total 20 minutes mins

A refreshing and flavorful shrimp salad with a sesame dressing that's perfect for a light meal or appetizer.

Servings 4 servings

Course Salad

Cuisine Asian

Ingredients

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Salad

• ▢ 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
• ▢ 4 cups mixed greens
• ▢ 1 cucumber sliced
• ▢ 1 avocado sliced
• ▢ 2 tbsp sesame seeds

Dressing

• ▢ 2 tbsp sesame oil
• ▢ 1 tbsp soy sauce
• ▢ 1 tbsp honey
• ▢ 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• ▢ 1 tsp ginger minced
• ▢ 1 clove garlic minced

Equipment

• ▢
  mixing bowl
• ▢
  skillet

Method

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1. In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic to make the dressing. Set aside.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
3. In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, cucumber, and avocado.
4. Add the cooked shrimp to the salad and drizzle with the dressing. Toss gently to combine.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

Nutrition

Calories320kcalCarbohydrates18gProtein25gFat18gSaturated Fat2.5gCholesterol180mgSodium600mgPotassium700mgFiber6gSugar8gVitamin A1200IUVitamin C30mgCalcium150mgIron3mg

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the shrimp in half of the dressing for 10 minutes before cooking.

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Ingredients for Shrimp Sesame Salad

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups mixed salad greens
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Cook Time for Sesame Shrimp Salad

One of the things I love most about this Asian shrimp salad is how quickly it comes together. From start to finish, you’ll spend about 15 minutes prepping and just 5-6 minutes cooking the shrimp. That’s less time than it takes to decide what to order for takeout! If you’re looking for more quick salad recipes, this one will become a weeknight favorite.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Total Time: 21 minutes

How to Make Shrimp Salad Recipe

Step 1: Make the Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ginger, and garlic to make the dressing. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Shrimp

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Marinate the Shrimp

Toss the cooked shrimp with half of the dressing, coating evenly. Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, shredded carrots, and red onion. Drizzle with remaining dressing and toss gently.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Top the salad with the dressed shrimp, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and cilantro. Serve immediately.

Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks

Over the years, I’ve made this sesame ginger shrimp salad more times than I can count, and along the way I’ve picked up some handy tricks. Here are my favorites to help you make it your own:

• Flavor Swap: Try adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the dressing for a citrusy twist—it pairs beautifully with the sesame.
• Diet Tweak: For a lower-carb version, serve the shrimp and veggies over butter lettuce cups instead of mixed greens.
• Texture Fix: If you prefer softer onions, soak the sliced red onion in ice water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad.
• Storage Tip: Keep leftover dressing separate if meal prepping—it keeps for 3 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.

Nutrition and Health Benefits

What I love about this shrimp sesame salad isn’t just its incredible flavor—it’s packed with nutrients too! Shrimp provides lean protein and selenium, while the sesame seeds offer healthy fats and calcium. The colorful veggies add fiber and antioxidants, making this a truly balanced meal. If you’re looking for more nutrient-dense recipes, this salad fits right in with your healthy eating goals.

Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (based on 4 servings):

• Calories: 220
• Protein: 24g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Healthy Fats: 10g

For more on the health benefits of seafood, this article on balanced meals offers great insights into incorporating more nutritious proteins into your diet.

A Lighter Version of Sesame Ginger Shrimp

If you’re watching your calories or have dietary restrictions, don’t worry—this shrimp sesame salad is wonderfully adaptable! Over the years, I’ve tested countless variations to suit different needs. For a lower-calorie option, reduce the sesame oil to 1 tablespoon and add a splash of water to the dressing. You can also substitute the honey with a pinch of stevia or omit it entirely—the ginger provides plenty of natural sweetness. For more light salad ideas, these simple swaps keep all the flavor without the extra calories.

Here are my favorite healthy tweaks:

• Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a soy-free version
• Swap half the shrimp with cucumber ribbons to stretch portions
• Try toasted sunflower seeds instead of sesame seeds for a nut-free alternative
• For extra crunch without calories, add jicama matchsticks

Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets

When my dear friend Margaret was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, I started paying closer attention to how small tweaks could make our favorite recipes more blood sugar friendly. This shrimp sesame salad is wonderfully adaptable—I’ve served it to friends with all sorts of dietary needs, and with a few thoughtful changes, everyone leaves satisfied. Whether you’re sugar-conscious or just watching your carb intake, here are my favorite ways to lighten up this Asian shrimp salad without losing an ounce of flavor.

• For lower glycemic impact: Swap the honey with a pinch of stevia or monk fruit—the ginger and sesame still give that perfect sweet-savory balance. I sometimes add a splash of orange juice for natural sweetness too.
• Portion control magic: Serve over a bed of butter lettuce cups instead of mixed greens to naturally reduce carbs while keeping that satisfying crunch.
• Soy-free option: Coconut aminos work beautifully in place of soy sauce—I actually prefer their slightly sweeter flavor in this sesame ginger shrimp!

How to Serve Shrimp Sesame Salad

I’ll never forget the summer potluck where I first brought this sesame shrimp salad—it disappeared faster than my famous cottage cheese bread! The secret? Serving it with warm, crispy wonton strips on the side for dipping. These days, I love pairing it with a chilled glass of jasmine tea or a light peach iced tea when the weather’s warm.

For a heartier meal, try topping the salad with warm quinoa or serving it alongside grilled salmon. The nutty sesame dressing complements so many proteins beautifully. And if you’re hosting, arrange the shrimp in a spiral on a large platter—it makes for such a lovely presentation!

Mistakes to Avoid

Oh darling, I’ve made every mistake possible with this shrimp salad recipe—including the time I forgot the sesame seeds entirely! (We won’t talk about that.) Here are the pitfalls I’ve learned to avoid so you can enjoy perfect sesame shrimp salad every time:

• Overcooking the shrimp: They should be just pink and opaque—any longer and they turn rubbery. Set a timer for 2 minutes per side, no exceptions!
• Skipping the marinade time: Those 5 minutes letting the shrimp soak up the dressing make all the difference in flavor. Patience pays off here.
• Using stale sesame seeds: Always taste a few before toasting. If they don’t have a nutty aroma, they’re past their prime. Freshness matters!
• Drowning the greens: Start with half the dressing, then add more as needed. You can always add, but you can’t take away, as my grandmother used to say.

One last tip from my kitchen to yours—if your dressing ever tastes too sharp, a teaspoon of tomato paste can work wonders to mellow it out. Strange but true!

How to Store Shrimp Sesame Salad

When my grandson Noah comes to visit, he always asks me to make extra shrimp sesame salad so he can take some home. Through trial and error (and a few soggy salads), I’ve perfected the storage method. Here’s what works best:

Store the dressed greens and shrimp separately in airtight containers—they’ll keep fresh for up to 2 days this way. The sesame seeds should be kept at room temperature in a little jar until serving. If you’ve already combined everything, don’t despair! Just revive leftovers by adding fresh greens and a squeeze of lemon. For more meal prep ideas, this salad adapts beautifully to lunch containers when stored properly.

One clever trick I learned from a fellow food blogger: place a paper towel in the container with the greens to absorb excess moisture. It keeps everything crisp until you’re ready to enjoy!

Try This Shrimp Sesame Salad Yourself

I can’t tell you how many times this sesame ginger shrimp salad has saved my weeknight dinners—it’s become such a beloved staple in our home. There’s something magical about how quickly it comes together, yet how special it always feels. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your table as it has to mine.

If you love this recipe, you might also enjoy my Mediterranean quinoa salad or these ginger shrimp noodle bowls. And for those busy nights when you need dinner fast, my chicken souvlaki is always a winner. Happy cooking, dear friends—may your kitchen be filled with laughter and delicious smells!

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