This shrimp quinoa salad is a protein-packed, refreshing, and nutritious meal good for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. (gluten free)

Juicy shrimp, fluffy quinoa, crisp greens, and a zesty selfmade lemon Dijon dressing come collectively for a wholesome and scrumptious salad! Good for summer time however actually, you possibly can get pleasure from it year-round.
For those who love cooking with shrimp, you have to strive my air fryer shrimp, this recipe for zucchini noodle stir fry with shrimp, or my garlic shrimp with zucchini noodles.
Substances
This salad seems greatest when the components are extremely contemporary. Right here is every part you will must make it:

For the shrimp
- Shrimp: Use medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, for straightforward prep. Contemporary or frozen works, however thaw frozen shrimp fully and pat dry earlier than seasoning.
- Garlic powder: Provides a mellow garlic taste with out the sharpness of contemporary garlic.
- Paprika: For a smokiness and heat colour.
For the salad
- Quinoa: A protein-packed grain that provides a lightweight, fluffy texture. Rinse earlier than cooking to take away pure bitterness.
- Cucumber: English or Persian cucumbers work greatest for fewer seeds.
- Bell pepper: Provides a pop of colour and pure sweetness. Purple, yellow, or orange peppers work nicely.
- Purple onion: Supplies a pointy, barely candy distinction to the salad. Soak in water for a milder taste.
- Feta cheese: For a creamy, tangy chunk that enhances the contemporary greens.
- Contemporary parsley: Flat-leaf parsley is greatest for taste.
For the dressing
- Olive oil: The bottom of the dressing. I like further virgin olive oil in dressings.
- Lemon juice: Brings a zesty brightness that balances the dressing. Freshly squeezed is greatest.
- Dijon mustard: Helps emulsify the dressing and provides a delicate tangy kick.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for daring, fragrant taste.
- Honey: Flippantly sweetens the dressing and balances the acidity.
See recipe card for portions.
Directions
This recipe is truthfully so easy. It appears worthy of a special day (which it’s), however it’s extremely simple to whip up:


- Step 1: Pat shrimp dry and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.


- Step 2: Warmth olive oil in a skillet over medium warmth and prepare dinner shrimp for 2-3 minutes per aspect.


- Step 3: In a saucepan, convey 2 cups water to a boil, add quinoa, cowl, and simmer for 12-Quarter-hour. Fluff with a fork and funky.


- Step 4: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl for the dressing.


- Step 5 In a big bowl, mix quinoa, cucumber, crimson onion, bell pepper, parsley, and feta.


- Step 6: Add shrimp and drizzle with dressing. Toss to mix.Chill for 15-Half-hour or serve instantly.
Trace: I am obsessive about cooking shrimp in a shimmering scorching skillet like this one. It offers my shrimp the right char and tender heart.


Substitutions
In search of ingredient swaps? Listed below are just a few to strive:
- Shrimp: Rooster, tofu, or chickpeas for a unique protein possibility.
- Garlic powder: Contemporary minced garlic for a stronger taste.
- Paprika: Smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky style or cayenne pepper for warmth.
- Olive oil: Avocado oil, melted butter, or ghee for a unique richness


Variations
I like a bit of twist, utilizing different international cuisines as my inspiration. Take a look at these enjoyable concepts:
- Greekish: Add kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a drizzle of tzatziki.
- Mexican: Toss in black beans, corn, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Asian-style: Change lemon juice with rice vinegar and add edamame and sesame seeds.
- Fruity: Combine in diced mango, pineapple, and toasted coconut for a contemporary, fruity model.
Tools
You will want the next provides to make this tasty shrimp quinoa salad:
- Medium skillet – to prepare dinner the shrimp
- Saucepan – to prepare dinner quinoa
- Small mixing bowl – to combine the dressing components.
- Giant mixing bowl – to combine and toss the salad components


Storage
Retailer the salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Preserve the dressing separate if prepping forward to keep up freshness.
If storing cooked shrimp individually, hold it in an hermetic container for as much as 2 days and reheat gently earlier than serving.
Prepare dinner the quinoa and chop the veggies prematurely for fast meeting.
Freezing will not be really useful.
Prime tip
Whereas it’s sometimes served chilled, you possibly can get pleasure from it heat by serving freshly cooked quinoa and shrimp instantly after cooking.
FAQ
Sure you possibly can! Simply thaw the shrimp fully, pat them dry, and season earlier than cooking to keep away from extra moisture.
Completely! This salad will be made as much as 3 days prematurely. Retailer it within the fridge in an hermetic container and toss earlier than serving.
Sure! Quinoa is of course gluten-free, making this a fantastic possibility for these with gluten sensitivities.
Pairing
These are my favourite dishes to serve with shrimp quinoa salad:


Shrimp quinoa salad
Plump, juicy shrimp get propped up with savory, completely flavored quinoa on this shrimp quinoa salad.
Servings: 4 individuals
Energy: 375kcal
Substances
For the Shrimp
- 1 lb medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon floor pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
For the Salad
- 1 cup quinoa washed and drained
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup cucumber diced
- ½ cup bell pepper diced
- ¼ cup crimson onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup feta cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup contemporary parsley chopped
For the Dressing
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon floor black pepper
Directions
-
Pat the shrimp dry with a kitchen towel and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
-
Warmth olive oil in a medium skillet over medium warmth. Prepare dinner the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per aspect, till pink and opaque. Take away from warmth and put aside.
-
In a saucepan, convey 2 cups of water to a boil. Add quinoa, scale back the warmth, cowl, and simmer for 12-Quarter-hour till the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let it cool. Put aside.
-
In a small bowl, whisk collectively olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper. Put aside.
-
In a big bowl, mix the cooked quinoa, cucumber, crimson onion, bell pepper, parsley, and feta cheese. Combine nicely.
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Add the cooked shrimp and drizzle the ready dressing over the salad. Toss to mix.
-
Get pleasure from instantly or chill within the fridge for 15-Half-hour to let the salad flavors mix!
Notes
This salad is nice for meal prep! Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
At all times rinse quinoa earlier than cooking to take away its pure bitterness and obtain a lighter, fluffier texture.
Vitamin
Energy: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 8g | Fats: 24g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 4g | Monounsaturated Fats: 15g | Ldl cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 569mg | Potassium: 371mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1083IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 3mg