The perfect fast lunch, this Buffalo Ranch Shrimp Salad is spicy and creamy and done in 10 minutes.
Save some of that buffalo sauce for these Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches or these Buffalo Chicken Tacos.
I have been on a salad kick lately. I often get bored with lunch – I’m the only one who really likes leftovers, so that’s usually what I have – but sometimes it gets old eating the same thing two days in a row.
And I’ve never been one of those people who is good at turning their leftovers into something totally new and exciting.
But in my attempts, I started making salads. Great for leftover chicken or steak, or even leftover taco meat. And I’m always looking for ways to use up veggies before they go bad.
So what started as trying to change up my lunch routine turned into a salad for lunch obsession. I’m not gonna lie – usually it’s like a kitchen sink salad. Go through the fridge, grab whatever looks good, throw it in a bowl and call it good. But sometimes, the most simple recipes make the best impression and beg to be made over and over again.
This Buffalo Ranch Shrimp Salad is one of those simple recipes that I just can’t get enough of. It’s as simple as some lettuce, carrots and celery tossed together, and then topped with buffalo shrimp and dressed with ranch dressing.
On the days that I don’t have any leftover protein, shrimp is a great alternative. It cooks up in just minutes, which is the only way to go when you are trying to make and eat your lunch before one of the kids asks for something else. I simply toss the shrimp in some buffalo sauce, then saute them in a little bit of butter. And honestly, I’ll often pour the remainder of the buffalo sauce over the salad as well. All kinds of flavor there!!
I don’t often have very much time at lunch, but I can definitely always pull this 10 minute Buffalo Ranch Shrimp Salad off. And now I think I need another one today!!
More Salad Recipes
Shrimp Caesar Salad with Spicy Croutons
Wedge Salad
Antipasto Salad Recipe
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Buffalo Ranch Shrimp Salad
Ingredients
- 8-10 large shrimp peeled, deveined and tails removed
- 1 tablespoon buffalo sauce
- 1 teaspoon butter
- lettuce I like romaine hearts, chopped
- 1 medium carrot peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 stalk celery thinly sliced
- Ranch Dressing
Instructions
- Combine the shrimp and the buffalo sauce in a bowl and toss to coat the shrimp.
- Place the butter in a small sauté pan and melt over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until it is just pink, a couple minutes per side.
- In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, carrot and celery and toss to combine. Add the shrimp to the salad, then dress the salad with ranch dressing.
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Mmmm this looks terrific! I also am a see what’s in the fridge and make a salad out of it type of girl! The options are endless!
Joanne says
You had me at buffalo sauce! I feel like that could get me addicted to just about any salad. The ranch also helps!
Sandy @ RE says
SImple, but delightful! Love shrimp and yummy Ranch!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
I had no idea there was a national ranch dressing day! I feel like I missed out on the party! Ranch is my favorite! I too also need new salads to spice up my routine!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I need to get on board with salads at lunch. This looks fantastic!
Nicole says
Mmmmm. If only I could have this salad everyday for lunch. And with my favorite dressing, too!
Cookin Canuck says
I usually make a big salad for lunch too, with everything that I can find tossed in. This simple shrimp salad looks fantastic!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
I love making salads for lunch as well. I don’t want to eat anything too heavy, so this is the perfect option. No sacrificing health for flavor in this recipe! 🙂