Shrimp Louie Salad is a timeless seafood classic that has been loved for generations. Often called the “King of Salads,” this fresh and flavorful dish originated on the West Coast and quickly became a restaurant favorite thanks to its combination of tender shrimp, crisp vegetables, and rich Louie dressing. It’s the kind of salad that feels both refreshing and satisfying at the same time.
What makes Shrimp Louie so special is its perfect balance of textures and flavors. Juicy chilled shrimp sit on a bed of crunchy lettuce alongside creamy avocado, sweet tomatoes, and hearty hard-boiled eggs. Everything is finished with a tangy, creamy Louie dressing that ties the entire salad together beautifully.
Another reason this dish has stayed popular for decades is how quick and easy it is to prepare. With pre-cooked shrimp, the salad comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights, light lunches, or even an elegant brunch dish. Despite its simplicity, it looks impressive enough to serve to guests.
Whether you’re looking for a healthy seafood salad, a refreshing summer meal, or a classic retro recipe to add to your collection, this Shrimp Louie Salad delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Once you try it, it may just become one of your favorite go-to salads.
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Shrimp Louie Salad
Shrimp Louie Salad is a classic West Coast dish often called the “King of Salads.” It features chilled shrimp served over crisp lettuce with fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy, tangy Louie dressing. This refreshing seafood salad is perfect for lunch, light dinners, or elegant entertaining.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Salad
1 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails removed)
6 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, sliced
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
1/2 cup cucumber, sliced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Lemon wedges (optional)
For the Louie Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, and pickle relish. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Prepare the Salad Base
Arrange chopped lettuce evenly across four serving plates or bowls.
Add the Toppings
Divide shrimp, tomatoes, avocado slices, cucumber, red onion, and egg slices among the salads.
Drizzle with Dressing
Spoon or drizzle the Louie dressing over the shrimp and vegetables.
Serve
Garnish with lemon wedges and freshly cracked pepper. Serve chilled.
Notes
Cooking Tips
Use chilled shrimp: Pre-cooked shrimp makes this recipe fast and keeps the salad refreshing.
Don’t overdress the salad: Serve dressing on the side if desired to keep the lettuce crisp.
Perfect hard-boiled eggs: Cook eggs for 10 minutes, then place in ice water for easy peeling.
Use large shrimp: Jumbo shrimp give the salad a restaurant-quality presentation.
Variations
Crab Louie Salad
Replace shrimp with fresh lump crab meat for another classic seafood version.
Grilled Shrimp Louie
Lightly grill shrimp with olive oil and garlic for a smoky flavor.
Low-Carb Version
Skip the ketchup and relish in the dressing and add extra lemon and Dijon.
Louie Salad Wraps
Serve the salad in butter lettuce cups for a lighter appetizer or party dish.
Avocado Louie Dressing
Blend half an avocado into the dressing for extra creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (if shrimp needs cooking)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
