Shrimp salad is a light refreshing and protein-packed dish that can be enjoyed as either an appetizer, side or main course. With its creamy dressing, tender shrimp, crunchy veggies and fresh herbs, it makes a tasty addition to any meal. But when making shrimp salad for company or a potluck, it can be tricky to figure out how much shrimp salad to make per person. You want to make sure you have enough so everyone gets a hearty serving, but you also don’t want to be stuck with a ton of leftovers.
So how much shrimp salad should you plan on per person? Here is a helpful guide to get you started
Recommended Serving Size Per Person
A good rule of thumb for shrimp salad is 3/4 cup to 1 cup per person. This will provide a generous scoop or serving.
Here are some common serving ideas and amounts:
- On a bed of lettuce – 3/4 to 1 cup
- In a sandwich or wrap – About 1/2 cup
- Stuffed in avocado halves – 1/2 avocado filled with 1/3 to 1/2 cup salad
- Side salad – 3/4 to 1 cup
- Appetizer in endive or lettuce cups – 2-3 lettuce cups with 2-3 Tbsp salad each
When serving shrimp salad as a main dish, aim for the higher end of 1 cup per person. If using it as a side or appetizer, 3/4 cup is usually sufficient.
How to Calculate Total Yield Needed
Once you know the recommended per person amount, it’s easy to calculate how much shrimp salad to make total.
Simply multiply:
- Number of people being served
- Times the serving size per person
For example:
- 12 people
- x 3/4 cup per person
- = 9 cups of shrimp salad needed
If you plan to serve it on lettuce, in avocados, sandwiches etc, make sure to account for that extra volume needed as well. An extra 1-2 cups is usually plenty to account for “plating loss.”
Shrimp Salad Recipe Yield
Most shrimp salad recipes yield 4-6 servings. Here are some examples:
-
The Fifteen Spatulas Shrimp Salad recipe uses 2 lbs of shrimp and makes about 6 servings or 6 cups.
-
The Damn Delicious Shrimp Salad recipe uses 1 lb shrimp and makes 4 servings or 4 cups.
-
The Gimme Some Oven Shrimp Salad uses 1 lb shrimp and makes 4-6 servings.
So in general, 1 lb of shrimp yields about 4 to 6 servings or 4-6 cups of shrimp salad. Use this as a baseline, then adjust the recipe up or down according to your headcount and desired serving size per person.
It’s also easy to double or triple shrimp salad recipes as needed to yield more. Just multiply the ingredient amounts.
Tips for Planning Shrimp Salad for a Group
Here are some helpful tips when making shrimp salad for a crowd:
-
Make it a day ahead – Shrimp salad holds up well in the fridge for 1-3 days. Making it ahead helps flavors meld and cuts down on prep day-of.
-
Prep ingredients ahead – Wash and chop vegetables and herbs in advance. This streamlines putting the salad together.
-
Use pre-cooked shrimp – Saves time and hassle compared to cooking raw shrimp yourself. Look for frozen cooked shrimp on sale.
-
Serve with crunchy vehicles – Have items like lettuce wraps, endive leaves, pita crisps, crackers etc that people can scoop or fill the shrimp salad into. Provides interactive nibbling.
-
Include serving utensils – Having a spoon, tongs or ice cream scoop makes it easy for people to serve themselves.
-
Chill thoroughly – Store shrimp salad over an ice bath or freezer pack to keep cold if serving at a warm outdoor event or party.
-
Consider food allergies – Find out if anyone has seafood allergies or is avoiding shellfish before preparing. Have back-up options available.
With this handy guide, you should be all set to prepare the perfect amount of delicious shrimp salad for any size gathering. Just follow the recommended serving size per person, calculate your total yield amount needed, and use a tried-and-true shrimp salad recipe that’s easy to scale up or down. A chilled bowl of shrimp salad is sure satisfy any crowd!
A Soon-To-Be Favorite Summer Shrimp Salad
For short, this is one of those summer salads that makes you feel completely at ease when you eat a huge bowl of it outside while the sun is shining on your skin. I love how refreshing and creamy it is, and it almost beats my tuna salad recipe (don’t worry, tuna salad, we still love you).
Also, I’d say that this shrimp salad is great for summer get-togethers (aka July 4th or Memorial Day). Kind of like my ultimate chicken salad. There’s plenty to go around, and it looks stunning served with butter leaf lettuces. Everyone will have their eyes on this – so good thing it’s super easy to make!.
Ways To Serve Cold Shrimp Salad
This cold shrimp salad is crazy good on its own. But make each bite even more exciting with the serving ideas below. Wrap it up, layer it into a sandwich, or top it on a flatbread. Honestly, just enjoy it however you like!.
- Wraps made of lettuce: I love making lettuce cups with butter leaf lettuce. Romaine lettuce works too!.
- Tortilla wrap: Layer baby spinach on top of a tortilla. Then put some of this shrimp salad on top and roll it up like a wrap.
- Sandwich: Put this on a flatbread and top it with microgreens.
I will say this shrimp salad tastes the best when it’s freshly made. But it will also keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
Pro tip: Don’t leave this salad sitting on the countertop for too long at room temperature. The mayonnaise could spoil more quickly!.
SHRIMP SALAD | the easy “must make” summer salad recipe
FAQ
What size are salad shrimp?
|
Shrimp Count per Pound
|
Size Description
|
|
41/50 – 51/60
|
Medium
|
|
61/70 – 71/90
|
Small
|
|
91/100
|
Extra Small
|
|
≥100
|
Salad
|
How long can shrimp salad last in the refrigerator?
Why is my shrimp salad watery?
How many calories are in 1 cup of salad shrimp?
What size shrimp should I use for shrimp salad?
Shrimp – You can make shrimp salad recipes using shrimp of any size, but I prefer medium shrimp (41-50 per pound) so that they are bite-sized. If you have leftover baked shrimp or air fryer shrimp, you can use that and skip the cooking steps below. Otherwise, use medium fresh shrimp or thawed frozen shrimp, and cook as shown below.
Can one eat raw shrimps?
While raw shrimp or shrimp sashimi can be consumed safely, raw shrimp is considered a high-risk food because it can harbour harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and various Vibrio bacteria. Although some people consider the seafood used in ceviche raw, it is actually cooked by immersing it in an acid rather than using heat. The acid from the citrus can reduce harmful bacteria but it is not as effective as using heat. The safest approach would be to consume only cooked shrimp from a reliable source. The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) advises that pregnant women, those with weakened immunity, older adults, and young children are at higher risk of foodborne illness and its consequences and should avoid all raw seafood.
How do you eat shrimp salad?
Ways to serve shrimp salad! My shrimp salad was delicious, served on a buttery, flaky croissant. It also makes a great sandwich filling, for a pita pocket, multigrain roll, or as a lettuce wrap. My wife’s favorite way to eat it is between two slices of good rye bread. You can enjoy this creamy shrimp salad in several ways.
Can you eat shrimp salad all year long?
But if you’re looking for an easy, refreshing meal that’s good for lunch and dinner all year long—but especially in the summer—the old-fashioned shrimp salad is worth taking another look at. Made with very small and flavorful shrimp, this recipe combines just the right amount of mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, pepper, and breadcrumbs.