Shrimp Caesar Salad with Spicy Croutons – a creamy Caesar salad is served with Cajun spiced shrimp and croutons.
Don’t forget to make up a batch of my Homemade Cajun Seasoning Recipe before starting this recipe!
With summer right around the corner I have been brainstorming some of my favorite easy meals that are perfect for warm weather. This caesar salad with spicy croutons happens to check all the boxes when it comes to easy and flavorful. Caesar salad in itself is a favorite of mine, and I love that this recipe changes things up a bit to give you something a little different. This salad is also a great option if you are looking too bring a dish to a summer BBQ or potluck.
And if you love Cajun flavors, you also need to try this Cajun Sausage Pasta!
How to Cook the Shrimp
I’ve often heard that people are intimidated to cook shrimp, but really, it couldn’t be easier! Here are some tips for making perfect shrimp.
- Whether you are using fresh shrimp or frozen, remove the tails before cooking it. It’s much easier than having each person have to with their serving.
- If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw it completely.
- If using fresh shrimp, you’ll want to use peeled and deveined shrimp.
- Season the shrimp – for this recipe, you’ll be using Cajun seasoning. Make sure the shrimp are completely covered.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet, then add the shrimp in a single layer.
- Stay with the shrimp, because they will cook quickly. As soon as the color has changed, flip them over to cook the second side. Then cook until pink, but be careful to not overcook the shrimp. They will be cooked in just a few minutes.
- Remove them from the pan so that they don’t continue to cook.
Homemade Croutons
If you’ve never made homemade croutons before, you are totally missing out. Not only are they much tastier than store bought croutons, but they are so easy that you’ll want to always make them yourself!
All you need is bread cut into cubes (I like sourdough for this recipe, but really, any bread will work!), oil and seasoning. For this recipe, we use my homemade Cajun seasoning plus some fresh minced garlic.
Combine your olive oil, garlic, and Cajun seasoning and microwave it for 20 seconds. You want it to be warmed so that it combines well and is easier to distribute evenly over the bread.
Add your cubes of bread to the mixture and stir until it is all combined. Make sure all of the cubes have the oil and seasoning mix on them.
Place the cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until they are golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them so that they don’t burn.
Tips and Tricks
- All of the components of the salad can be made ahead of time, but you don’t want to assemble the salad until you are ready to serve it.
- The salad dressing can be made up to a week in advance. You may need to shake it up vigorously before using it if it is made in advance.
- The croutons can be made a week ahead, as well. Store them in an airtight container to retain freshness. If needed, you can also freeze any leftover croutons, but they are so easy that I usually just make them fresh.
- This is a great salad to serve as a main dish, but works well as a side dish, as well.
- Fresh Parmesan is so much better than pre-grated Parmesan for this recipe. It’s totally worth the effort to grate it fresh!
More Favorite Salad Recipes
Caesar Salad with Pasta
Protein Packed Cobb Salad Recipe
Italian Chopped Salad
Thai Beef Salad
Red Raspberry Spinach Salad
Summer Berry Chopped Salad
LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
Shrimp Caesar Salad with Spicy Croutons
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Croutons:
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 cups 3/4-inch sourdough bread cubes
Salad:
- 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 18 cups torn romaine lettuce
- 1/3 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Instructions
To make the dressing:
- Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, garlic and pepper in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least an hour.
To make the croutons:
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- In large bowl, combine the olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning and garlic. Microwave for 20 seconds.
- Add the bread cubes and stir to coat.
- Lay the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes.
To make the salad:
- Combine the shrimp with the 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Add the shrimp and cook until pink on both sides. Remove from heat.
- Place the lettuce in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Add the shrimp, croutons and Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately.
Barbara says
A fabulous looking Caesar Deborah. Thanks for joining HHDD.
Rose says
I have to say I am not a big fan of ceasar salad, like you said goota watch the calories, but with shrimp on top and the special seasoning, I melt.
Freya and Paul says
I love caesar salad and your spicy twist is inspired! Yum!
Meeta says
Now this is a Caesar Salad right up my alley!! Looks fantastic.