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Crispy Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad Recipe with Easy Homemade Croutons

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A quick and easy salad featuring smoky blackened shrimp, homemade crunchy croutons, and a creamy garlicky Caesar dressing made from scratch. Perfect for light dinners or lunches with bold flavors and satisfying textures.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil (for searing)
  • 4 cups day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (sourdough or French bread preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup homemade Caesar dressing
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter option)
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the Homemade Croutons: Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss bread cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden and crisp. Cool.
  2. Prepare the Caesar Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, minced garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning and set aside.
  3. Season the Shrimp: Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Toss shrimp in spice mix until evenly coated.
  4. Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 3–4 minutes per side until opaque with a crispy blackened crust. Remove from heat.
  5. Assemble the Salad: Toss chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing until lightly coated. Add croutons and Parmesan cheese, mix gently.
  6. Plate and Serve: Divide salad among plates or bowls. Top with crispy blackened shrimp. Optionally, sprinkle extra Parmesan or squeeze lemon juice over.

Notes

Use a hot pan to sear shrimp quickly without burning. Toss bread cubes evenly with garlic and oil to avoid burning croutons. Fresh garlic is essential for dressing flavor. Prepare croutons and dressing ahead if desired, cook shrimp fresh. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread or garlic chips instead of croutons. Adjust cayenne pepper for spice preference.

Nutrition

Keywords: blackened shrimp, Caesar salad, homemade croutons, quick dinner, easy salad, seafood salad, smoky shrimp, creamy dressing

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