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Grilled and Skinny Lemon Garlic Shrimp Caesar Salad with a lightened up creamy Caesar dressing is a complete meal in a salad and a family favorite!
This twist to a classic caesar salad recipe is a fresh and healthy way to fill up your day!
A refreshing and addictive salad that doesn’t leave you hungry and wanting more food, raiding the refrigerator at midnight. Full of protein thanks to the shrimp AND the creamy, lightened up dressing. With the added avocado slices, shaved parmesan cheese and crunchy croutons, this is another one of my filling ‘meal in a salad’ type of salads that promises to satisfy you without the fear of busting out of your jeans!
First things first friends. I make my own croutons for this Shrimp Caesar Salad, BUT you can use store bought croutons if that’s all you have or if you’re having a bad day and can’t be bothered making your own and need this salad in a hurry. I feel you. If making your own, start them first before touching the shrimp. While they’re broiling (or grilling) in the oven, prepare your shrimp.
We’re not using just ordinary shrimp here. You’re going to pimp your shrimp up with garlic and lemon and pepper and salt and FLAVOR.
Then, you’re going to leave it to marinade a bit while you prepare your salad leaves and fry your bacon pieces. By this stage, your croutons should be just about ready. But don’t forget them…..like I may have in the past. There’s nothing like a burnt crouton.
Next, you’re going to grill your shrimp in batches to make sure they get crispy with that incredible, bbq’d char grilled flavour. What I love the most is that the shrimp only takes MAXIMUM 5 minutes to cook per batch. Hello quick salad.
Throw it all into your bowl with the parmesan cheese, avocados and sliced egg.
Then drizzle over this lightened up homemade CREAMY caesar dressing that is healthier and better for you than normal caesar dressings or commercial store bought-dressings. And demolish it in less than 5 minutes like we do.
If you’re looking for MORE Caesar Salad variations, how about this Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad or Skinny Chicken and Avocado Caesar Salad!
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Grilled Lemon Garlic Shrimp Caesar Salad
This recipe serves 2, and can be easily doubled to serve 4.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup ciabatta or sourdough, cubed, or store bought croutons
- 1 pound large raw shrimp prawns, peeled and deveined, tails intact
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice juice of 1/2 a large lemon
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch cracked pepper to taste
- ¼ cup non fat diced bacon
- 1 egg soft boiled (or poached)
- 4 cups Romaine lettuce cos lettuce, leaves washed and dried
- 1/2 avocado sliced
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shaved
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup plain non fat greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon whole egg mayo reduced fat
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic crushed, or 1 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 anchovy fillet finely chopped or minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 pinch salt for seasoning
- 1 pinch pepper for seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to grill/broil settings on medium - high heat. Place the cubed bread onto an oven tray; drizzle with olive oil (or spray with cooking oil spray) and bake in the oven (on middle shelf) until crispy. Alternatively, use store bought croutons.
- Combine the shrimp in a shallow bowl with the lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Allow to marinade for 10 minutes or so while preparing your other ingredients.
- Heat a grill pan (or skillet or non stick pan) with a light drizzle of olive oil; fry the bacon until golden and crispy. Transfer to a warm plate; set aside.
- Drain some of the bacon fat from the pan, leaving about 1 teaspoon in the pan for the shrimp. Fry the shrimp for 2-3 minutes each side (be careful not to over cook or they will get rubbery!) Set aside.
To make the Caesar Dressing:
- Combine the yogurt, mayo, oil, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice and parmesan in a magic bullet blender, small blender or a small food processor. Blend until well combined; add salt and pepper to your tastes, and blend again until smooth. Taste test.
Assemble Salad:
- Combine the lettuce with the shrimp and bacon; avocado slices; shaved parmesan cheese; and croutons. Pour over the dressing; mix well to combine. Slice the egg and arrange on top.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My go-to Caesar dressing! I also sub Fish Sauce but always try to have fresh lemon and that awesome Pecorino-Romano from Costco. This is hands-down everyone’s favorite, thanks so much for all of your wonderful recipes!!!
Hi! I’d like to use anchovy paste instead of an anchovy fillet, since I already have some on hand. Any recommendations on the quantity I should use?
My absolute favorite Cesar dressing of all time!!! I almost never have anchovies on hand but always have Fish sauce which is a just right substitute in this oh so yummy dressing. I always have to make a double or triple recipe, everyone always wants more. Perfect leftover thinned with a little milk or cream. So so good!!
Great recipe! The dressing is really good. I added a touch more mayo but no oil and a dash of dried parsley. Will definitely use this dressing in the future.
Looks so delicious. Will give it a try.
You have the most delicious salads….makes salad days great! Pinned. Thanks for sharing!