🍤 Creamy Shrimp and Cucumber Dill Salad: A Refreshing Summer Delight
✨ The Perfect Light & Flavorful Dish
Looking for a refreshingly light yet utterly satisfying salad for your next gathering, lunch, or easy dinner? Stop right here! This Creamy Shrimp and Cucumber Dill Salad is the answer. It combines plump, succulent shrimp with cool, crisp cucumber, all tossed in a bright, herbaceous, and incredibly creamy dressing. It’s an easy-to-make dish that tastes gourmet and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser—or at least, a like-magnet on your social feed!
This salad is fantastic on its own, served over a bed of crisp lettuce, or piled onto a toasted croissant or cracker for a decadent bite. It’s simple, elegant, and ready in minutes!
🍽️ Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Salad Base:
1 lb (about 450g) cooked and peeled shrimp (tail-off or tail-on, your preference), thawed if frozen
2 large English cucumbers, or 3-4 smaller Persian cucumbers
1/4 cup finely minced red onion (optional, for a little zing)
For the Creamy Dill Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat is recommended for the best flavor)
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (essential for brightness!)
2-3 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped (don’t skimp on the dill!)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
📝 The Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Follow these easy steps to create this vibrant and flavorful salad:
Step 1: Prep the Shrimp
If your shrimp are frozen, ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry with a paper towel. This prevents excess water from watering down your dressing.
If the shrimp are large, you may want to roughly chop them into bite-sized pieces (half or thirds). If they are small or medium, you can leave them whole for a beautiful presentation. Place the prepped shrimp in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Prepare the Cucumber
For English cucumbers (which have thin skins), you can leave the skin on for color and fiber. For regular cucumbers, you might want to peel them.
Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise, then use a small spoon to gently scoop out the watery seeds. This is a crucial step! Removing the seeds keeps the salad from becoming soggy.
Dice the seedless cucumber into generous, uniform chunks (about 1/2-inch pieces).
Add the diced cucumber and the minced red onion (if using) to the bowl with the shrimp.
Step 3: Whisk the Creamy Dill Dressing
In a separate, medium-sized bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients: mayonnaise, Greek yogurt/sour cream, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder.
Use a small whisk or a fork to thoroughly mix until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and beautifully uniform.
Taste the dressing! Now is the time to adjust the seasoning. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper. If you like it tangier, add a bit more lemon juice. If you prefer a stronger herb flavor, add more dill!
Step 4: Combine and Chill
Pour the entire amount of the creamy dill dressing over the shrimp and cucumber mixture.
Gently fold the ingredients together using a rubber spatula or large spoon until every piece of shrimp and cucumber is beautifully coated in the creamy dressing. Be careful not to mix too vigorously, as you want to keep the shrimp and cucumber pieces intact.
The Secret to Success: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours is even better). This chilling time allows the flavors to fully meld together, deepening the taste and ensuring the salad is perfectly cold and crisp.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Before serving, give the salad one last gentle stir.
Taste one final time and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve in a beautiful glass bowl as a stunning side dish.
Spoon over a bed of fresh mixed greens.
Serve it tapas-style with your favorite artisan crackers or crostini.
Use it as a filling for gourmet sandwiches.
💡 Pro-Tip for the Best Salad
Always use FRESH Dill! Dried dill simply cannot replicate the vibrant, bright, and slightly sweet flavor that fresh dill provides. It makes all the difference in this recipe!
📸 Don’t Forget to Share!
Snap a photo of your beautiful creation and share it with us! We can’t wait to see how you serve this incredible Creamy Shrimp and Cucumber Dill Salad! Happy cooking
