Garlic Shrimp Salad

Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing is a bright, crunchy salad that mixes savory garlic shrimp, crisp baked rice, fresh vegetables, and a creamy sesame dressing.

introduction — Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

This Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing is easy to make and full of texture and flavor.
It has crunchy rice, garlicky shrimp, crisp cucumbers, and a smooth sesame sauce.
This salad feels as hearty and comforting as the Crispy Chicken Mushroom Bowl with Ginger Garlic Broth.

why make Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

Make this recipe when you want a quick meal that still feels special.
It is great for weeknights, for guests, or for a light lunch with lots of crunch.
The flavors come together fast and the rice holds its crisp if you serve right away.

how to make Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

Follow simple steps to build the salad: bake the rice until crispy, cook the shrimp with garlic and lemon, make the sesame dressing, then toss with fresh veggies.
Work in stages so each part keeps its best texture.

Ingredients for Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

• Crispy Rice:
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp chili oil (optional)
• Garlic Shrimp:
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Vegetables:
  • 5 Persian or Japanese cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced or chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Creamy Sesame Dressing:
  • 4 tbsp white sesame seeds
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 4 tsp honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 4 tsp sesame oil

Directions for Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

• Make the Crispy Rice:
  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Mix rice with soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili oil if using.
  • Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flatten into one layer.
  • Bake 30–40 minutes until golden and crispy. Set aside.
• Cook the Garlic Shrimp:
  • Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
  • Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add shrimp.
  • Cook until shrimp turn pink on both sides.
  • Season with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. Toss and set aside.
• Prepare the Sesame Dressing:
  • Grind sesame seeds until sandy in a mortar or food processor.
  • Whisk ground seeds with mayonnaise, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth.
• Assemble the Salad:
  • In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, red onion, bell pepper, green onions, and parsley.
  • Top with garlic shrimp and crispy rice.
  • Pour over the sesame dressing.
  • Toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately.

how to serve Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

Serve this Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing right after you toss so the rice stays crunchy.
You can add lemon wedges on the side for extra brightness.
Pair it with a simple grain or another salad like the Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing for a full meal.

how to store Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

Store components separately for best texture.
Keep the crispy rice in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate shrimp, vegetables, and dressing in separate containers for up to 2 days.
Assemble just before serving.

tips to make Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

• Use day-old rice so it crisps better in the oven.
• Pat the shrimp dry before cooking to get a nice sear.
• Grind sesame seeds fresh for the best nutty flavor.
• For extra crunch ideas, try techniques from the Crispy Herbed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Lemon Aioli recipe.
• Taste and adjust salt, lemon, or honey at the end.

variation for Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

• Make it vegetarian: swap shrimp for pan-fried tofu or roasted chickpeas.
• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
• Add avocado or toasted nuts for extra creaminess and crunch.

FAQs about Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

Q: Can I make the crispy rice on the stovetop instead of the oven?
A: Yes. Press cooked rice into a hot oiled skillet and cook until golden and crispy on both sides.

Q: Can I use frozen shrimp for this Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing?
A: Yes. Thaw shrimp fully and pat dry before cooking. This keeps the shrimp seared and juicy.

Q: What tool helps grind sesame seeds for the dressing? Buy it here if you need one.

Garlic Shrimp Salad with Crispy Rice & Sesame Dressing

A bright, crunchy salad featuring savory garlic shrimp, crisp baked rice, fresh vegetables, and a creamy sesame dressing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad

Cuisine American, Asian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

Crispy Rice

• 2 cups cooked rice Use day-old rice for better crisping.
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp chili oil Optional

Garlic Shrimp

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined Can use frozen shrimp, thaw fully before cooking.
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt Adjust to taste
• ½ tsp black pepper Adjust to taste
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes

Vegetables

• 5 pieces Persian or Japanese cucumbers, thinly sliced
• ½ pieces red onion, thinly sliced or chopped
• 1 pieces red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 pieces green onions, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Creamy Sesame Dressing

• 4 tbsp white sesame seeds Grind fresh for best flavor.
• ½ cup mayonnaise Can swap with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
• 4 tsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 4 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

 

Make the Crispy Rice

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Mix rice with soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili oil if using.
• Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flatten into one layer.
• Bake for 30–40 minutes until golden and crispy. Set aside.

Cook the Garlic Shrimp

• Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
• Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add shrimp.
• Cook until shrimp turn pink on both sides.
• Season with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. Toss and set aside.

Prepare the Sesame Dressing

• Grind sesame seeds until sandy in a mortar or food processor.
• Whisk ground seeds with mayonnaise, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth.

Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, red onion, bell pepper, green onions, and parsley.
• Top with garlic shrimp and crispy rice.
• Pour over the sesame dressing.
• Toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately.

Notes

Serve immediately after tossing for the best texture of crispy rice. Store components separately for best texture.

Keyword Crispy Rice, garlic shrimp, Healthy Salad, quick meal, Sesame Dressing