Spicy shrimp Caesar salad with spinach is a quick light meal for lunch or dinner! The spicy shrimp and kickin’ homemade Caesar dressing is key to making this salad shine! Tender shrimp tossed in chile powder, onion, and cayenne then baked crispy! A flavorful and healthy Caesar salad! Paleo option included.
Hi friends! Just letting you know this shrimp salad recipe originally published a few years ago, but we’ve recently updated it with a paleo option! Plus, we’ve enjoying the homemade caesar dressing a lately! Now we’re sharing it with you again today just in time for summer.
Spicy Shrimp Caesar Spinach Salad! Say that 10 x fast. Ok seriously though, Simple, fresh, healthy–this zesty salad is a real winner.
But before I get into the seafood salad love, let’s discuss something. K? This year. Oh my goodness. Talk about being humbled, broken, overwhelmed, and sad with this world. Life feels heavy. And if you are on my email list, you know my take on this. I sent out an email sharing my heart. This is an historical moment in our nation/world and I want to be bridge towards healing! It’s humbling and needed. That being said, we (Cotter Crunch team and myself) are always here for you, with love and food! Nourishing food for the mind and body and soul.
Which leads me to salad. The ultimate macro bowl!
SPICY BAKED SHRIMP + HOMEMADE CAESAR DRESSING + VEGGIES & SPINACH = LOVE
This shrimp caesar salad recipe brings joy to my heart and is made with LOVE. Yep, there it is CORNY Cotter moment at it’s finest. Food is love.
Let me share that recipe with you and the memory meal inspiration behind it!
This shrimp Caesar salad is is the dish I now make regularly. It was inspired by a homemade meal we had with friends in Hawaii. Yes, way back when we lived in Hawaii! It was also first time I learned how to make REAL Caesar salad dressing. Ever since then I’ve been hooked on making all varieties of Caesar Salad dressings, and homemade dressing in general. I guess it’s about time I share the recipes, right?
SPICY HOMEMADE CAESAR DRESSING INGREDIENTS (Paleo):
Instead of honey mustard or do dijon mustard, you will be using a spicy mustard and a wee bit more chili powder. My spicy southern tastebuds shining bright here y’all . And don’t worry, you can make this Caesar dressing without anchovy paste!
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 tbsp spicy mustard
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- sea salt or kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Pinch of cayenne
- 1/2 to 1 tsp anchovy paste. (Substitute – 2 tsp capers mashed with garlic and a pinch of salt )
- 1-2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
Whisk that together then set aside while you make the shrimp.
10 MINUTE KICKIN’ BAKED SHRIMP
You will need just a handful of some amazing shrimp, peeled, deveined, and ready to bake.
Toss the shrimp in chili powder, avocado oil, and other spices. Bake it for just about 10 minutes and watch it sizzle. You could also use my sweet and spicy baked shrimp! Either work well for making Shrimp Caesar salad. Such simple good food.
While the shrimp baking, you can whip up the rest of your salad
LOADED VEGGIE SPINACH SALAD BOWL:
You really can’t go wrong with any of these veggies here folks! We used a variety seasonal produce, sliced and diced any way you like!
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Zucchini
- Carrot
- Fresh Herbs
- Bell Peppers
- Avocado
- Splash of lemon
- Optional gluten free croutons
Speaking of croutons. I know, they are optional but if you can have gluten free bread, than GO FOR IT!
How to make Gluten Free Croutons for Caesar Salads
Don’t go run off, homemade croutons are very easy to make. Especially gluten free croutons. Simply chop up some dry gluten free bread, toss in a little olive oil and garlic, then baked it for five minutes in the oven. You’ll love the crunch! Ya’ll, toasted garlic bread croutons are a must when it comes to Caesar salads, or panzanella salad bowls! Plus it’s resourceful.
Okay okay, let’s assemble.
Toss together your spinach, add your vegetables fixings (sliced anyway), spicy baked shrimp, and then pour that caesar dressing on top! Parmesan to sprinkle.
These are my summer food loves at the moment. Spicy baked shrimp, zippy salads, and homemade Caesar salad dressings. Grateful for the memories to go along with it! #foodislove
Spicy Shrimp Caesar Spinach Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Spicy Spinach Caesar salad with Shrimp (Paleo and Low Carb Option)
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 tbsp spicy mustard
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- sea salt or kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Pinch of cayenne
- 1/2 to 1 tsp anchovy paste. (Add a pinch of salt or 2 tsp capers mashed with garlic if you don’t have anchovy paste)
- 1–2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
For spicy shrimp:
- 6–8 ounces medium shrimp, peeled, deveined
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Pinch of onion powder
- 1/2 tsp pure olive oil or butter
- Pinch of Sea Salt or Kosher Salt
- Dash of ground pepper
For the Salad:
- 6 cups fresh spinach (leaves) or greens of choice.
- 1 small Cucumber – thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot – thinly sliced or ribbon cut
- 1/2 small avocado, sliced.
- 2 bell peppers – sliced thin
- 2–3 tbsp roasted almonds
- Optional sprouts or fresh herbs to garnish
- Optional shaved parmesan to garnish (Omit if paleo)
- Optional Gluten Free Croutons – see notes – (omit for paleo option)
- Sea Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450F.
- While oven is preheating, make your caesar salad dressing.
Whisk together all your ingredients in a small bowl. Salt/pepper to taste. Adjust if needed. If too salt, add a tsp of honey or maple syrup. Set aside or keep in fridge. - Next bake your spicy shrimp. Toss your clean/peeled shrimp in olive oil and spices. Lay flat on cooking/baking sheet.
- Bake/roast for 4-5 minutes on each side; turning once, 3 to 4 minutes. So about 8-10 minutes all together or until shrimp are browned and opaque throughout.
Remove from oven. - Place spinach, thinly cut vegetables, optional croutons, and shrimp in 1 serving bowl or two small bowls. Add a few tbsp of roasted almonds on top along with herbs/sprouts to garnish.
- Drizzle with spicy Caesar dressing. Sea salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional shaved parmesan to finish.
Notes
- For paleo option, omit croutons and cheese.
- You will have extra dressing, so feel to keep the rest for later use. Store in fridge for up to 3 days. Nutrition for Spicy Caesar salad Dressing ~ 130 calories and 5 grams of fat per serving of 1.5 tbsp to 2 tbsps.
Homemade Gluten Free Croutons (omit for paleo option):
- 1/2 cup gluten free bread (no sugar added)
- 1 tsp oil (olive or avocado oil)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Toss your bread crumbs in garlic and oil, and place on baking sheet. Toast for about 5 minutes.
Arrange your salad.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: main, salads
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: half full size salad without croutons
- Calories: 248
- Sugar: 6.6 g
- Sodium: 286.7 mg
- Fat: 10.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 15.8 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 25.6 g
- Cholesterol: 159.7 mg
Keywords: shrimp caesar salad, spicy, gluten free, Paleo
So you might be thinking, that’s a lot of work for a salad. It’s not, this I promise. This is one of those meals you will want to share with your friends and family on a regular basis. Because like I mentioned. Food is love!
What’s your favorite type Caesar Salad? Favorite meal memory?
Cheers!
LC
