Cucumber Shrimp Salad – Cool, Creamy, and Refreshingly Light

🎉 Introduction

When you want something cool, fresh, and satisfying—especially on warm days—this Cucumber Shrimp Salad delivers exactly that. Juicy shrimp meet crisp English cucumber in a creamy, tangy dressing brightened with lime and fresh dill. It’s the kind of dish that feels indulgent yet light, making it perfect for lunches, light dinners, picnics, or meal prep when you crave clean flavors without heaviness.

What sets this salad apart is its balance. The shrimp provide lean protein, the cucumber adds crunch and hydration, and the creamy dressing (made with mayonnaise and sour cream) brings richness without overwhelming the freshness. Garlic and Dijon add depth, while lime keeps everything lively and refreshing. If you love easy seafood salads, no-cook lunches, and cool summer meals, this recipe belongs on repeat.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large pot (for boiling shrimp)
• Colander
• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl (for dressing)
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk or fork

Tip: An ice bath helps stop the shrimp from overcooking and keeps them tender.

🛒 Ingredients

Prepare and measure all ingredients before assembling.

Protein

• 2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined

Vegetables & Herbs

• 1 small English cucumber, thinly sliced or diced
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Creamy Dressing

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Zest of 1 large lime
• Juice of 1 large lime

Seasoning

• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Ingredient Notes:

• English cucumber is preferred for its thin skin and fewer seeds.
• Fresh dill is essential for that classic, cool seafood flavor.
• Lime adds brightness that balances the creamy dressing.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Follow these steps for a perfectly chilled cucumber shrimp salad.

Step 1: Cook the Shrimp

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil.
• Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes, until pink and opaque.
• Immediately drain and transfer shrimp to an ice bath.
• Let cool for 5 minutes, then drain well.
• Pat shrimp dry and chop into bite-size pieces if desired.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

• Slice or dice the cucumber.
• Thinly slice green onions.
• Finely chop fresh dill.
• Mince the garlic clove.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together:
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sour cream
  • Dijon mustard
  • Lime zest
  • Lime juice
  • Kosher salt
• Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, add cooled shrimp.
• Add cucumber, green onions, dill, and garlic.
• Pour dressing over the mixture.

Step 5: Gently Mix

• Fold gently until everything is evenly coated.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 6: Chill

• Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Step 7: Serve

• Stir gently before serving.
• Serve chilled.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Chill Time: 20–30 minutes
• Total Time: About 45 minutes

A refreshing, make-ahead friendly dish.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Serving Note

• This salad is meant to be served cold
• Do not reheat

Tip: Stir gently and add a squeeze of lime before serving to refresh flavors.

🥄 Variations

Customize your cucumber shrimp salad with these ideas:

• Extra Crunch
  • Add finely diced celery or radish
• Herb Swap
  • Replace dill with fresh parsley or chives
• Spicy Kick
  • Add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce
• Lighter Version
  • Use more sour cream and less mayonnaise
• Mediterranean Twist
  • Add chopped olives and extra cucumber

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use frozen shrimp?
   Yes, thaw completely and pat dry.
2. Is this salad healthy?
   Yes, it’s high in protein and refreshing.
3. Can I make it ahead of time?
   Absolutely—flavors improve after chilling.
4. Does the cucumber release water?
   Minimal with English cucumber.
5. Is this gluten-free?
   Yes, naturally gluten-free.
6. Can I use Greek yogurt instead?
   You can, but texture will be tangier.
7. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
   Yes, mild and creamy.
8. How do I keep shrimp tender?
   Don’t overcook and cool immediately.
9. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, it scales very well.
10. What can I serve with it?
    Light sides, vegetables, or as-is.

🏁 Conclusion

This cucumber shrimp salad is everything a refreshing meal should be—cool, creamy, crisp, and satisfying. With tender shrimp, crunchy cucumber, and a bright lime-dill dressing, it’s perfect for warm days, quick lunches, or elegant light dinners.

Easy to prepare and even better after chilling, this recipe proves that simple ingredients can create clean, crave-worthy comfort. Once you try it, it’s sure to become a staple in your seafood rotation.

Adam

Cucumber Shrimp Salad – Cool, Creamy, and Refreshingly Light

When you want something cool, fresh, and satisfying—especially on warm days—this Cucumber Shrimp Salad delivers exactly that. Juicy shrimp meet crisp English cucumber in a creamy, tangy dressing brightened with lime and fresh dill. It’s the kind of dish that feels indulgent yet light, making it perfect for lunches, light dinners, picnics, or meal prep when you crave clean flavors without heaviness. What sets this salad apart is its balance. The shrimp provide lean protein, the cucumber adds crunch and hydration, and the creamy dressing (made with mayonnaise and sour cream) brings richness without overwhelming the freshness. Garlic and Dijon add depth, while lime keeps everything lively and refreshing. If you love easy seafood salads, no-cook lunches, and cool summer meals, this recipe belongs on repeat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

chill time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Prepare and measure all ingredients before assembling.

Protein

• 2 lbs shrimp peeled and deveined

Vegetables & Herbs

• 1 small English cucumber thinly sliced or diced
• 3 green onions thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove minced

Creamy Dressing

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Zest of 1 large lime
• Juice of 1 large lime

Seasoning

• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Ingredient Notes:

• English cucumber is preferred for its thin skin and fewer seeds.
• Fresh dill is essential for that classic cool seafood flavor.
• Lime adds brightness that balances the creamy dressing.

Equipment

• Large pot (for boiling shrimp)
• Colander
• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl (for dressing)
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk or fork
• Tip: An ice bath helps stop the shrimp from overcooking and keeps them tender.

Method

 

1. Follow these steps for a perfectly chilled cucumber shrimp salad.

Step 1: Cook the Shrimp

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil.
2. Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes, until pink and opaque.
3. Immediately drain and transfer shrimp to an ice bath.
4. Let cool for 5 minutes, then drain well.
5. Pat shrimp dry and chop into bite-size pieces if desired.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

1. Slice or dice the cucumber.
2. Thinly slice green onions.
3. Finely chop fresh dill.
4. Mince the garlic clove.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together:
2. Mayonnaise
3. Sour cream
4. Dijon mustard
5. Lime zest
6. Lime juice
7. Kosher salt
8. Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

1. In a large bowl, add cooled shrimp.
2. Add cucumber, green onions, dill, and garlic.
3. Pour dressing over the mixture.

Step 5: Gently Mix

1. Fold gently until everything is evenly coated.
2. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 6: Chill

1. Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Step 7: Serve

1. Stir gently before serving.
2. Serve chilled.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Serving Note

This salad is meant to be served cold

Do not reheat

Tip: Stir gently and add a squeeze of lime before serving to refresh flavors.

🥄 Variations

Customize your cucumber shrimp salad with these ideas:

Extra Crunch

Add finely diced celery or radish

Herb Swap

Replace dill with fresh parsley or chives

Spicy Kick

Add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce

Lighter Version

Use more sour cream and less mayonnaise

Mediterranean Twist

Add chopped olives and extra cucumber

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, thaw completely and pat dry.

Is this salad healthy?
Yes, it’s high in protein and refreshing.

Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely—flavors improve after chilling.

Does the cucumber release water?
Minimal with English cucumber.

Is this gluten-free?
Yes, naturally gluten-free.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead?
You can, but texture will be tangier.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, mild and creamy.

How do I keep shrimp tender?
Don’t overcook and cool immediately.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, it scales very well.

What can I serve with it?
Light sides, vegetables, or as-is.

🏁 Conclusion

This cucumber shrimp salad is everything a refreshing meal should be—cool, creamy, crisp, and satisfying. With tender shrimp, crunchy cucumber, and a bright lime-dill dressing, it’s perfect for warm days, quick lunches, or elegant light dinners.

Easy to prepare and even better after chilling, this recipe proves that simple ingredients can create clean, crave-worthy comfort. Once you try it, it’s sure to become a staple in your seafood rotation.