This blackened barbecue shrimp salad is the kind of thing I throw together when I want dinner to feel a little fancy without actually working for it.
The shrimp get tossed in barbecue glaze and blackening seasoning, then broiled till the edges go dark and a little sweet.
Warm broiled oranges with cinnamon sugar go on top, and they kinda melt into the greens in the best way.
Theres cinnamon toasted almonds, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and a sweet vidalia onion dressing pulling it all together.
And then the orange dream shake on the side, which is just orange juice, honey, vanilla ice cream, and ice blended creamy like a grown up creamsicle.
Its a fun one for a backyard cookout, a summer lunch, or any night you want a salad that eats like a treat, and it lands right next to Shrimp and Broccoli Foil Packs, Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp With Zucchini Noodles, Spiced Salmon with Mango Salsa, and Pesto Fish with Tomato Bake.
What Blackened Barbecue Means Here
Blackening just means the shrimp get a dark, spiced crust from a hot broiler and a punchy seasoning blend.
Adding the barbecue glaze on top gives it that sweet and smoky edge, so every bite is a little bit candy and a little bit savory.
Everything That Goes In
How To Make Blackened Barbecue Shrimp Salad
1. Mix the blackening rub
Drop the brown sugar and blackening seasoning into a zip top bag.
Give it a shake so the sweet and the spice blend evenly.
2. Coat the shrimp
Add the shrimp and barbecue glaze to the bag.
Toss everything around until each shrimp is coated in glaze and seasoning.
3. Spread the shrimp on the pan
Line a baking sheet with foil and lay the shrimp out in a single layer.
Give each one a little room so they char instead of steam.
4. Broil the shrimp
Slide the pan under a hot broiler.
Broil for 4 to 6 minutes, until the shrimp turn opaque with dark edges, then watch them close so they don’t go rubbery.
5. Season and broil the oranges
Lay the orange slices on a second foil lined sheet and sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar.
Broil for 3 to 4 minutes, just until they go warm and a little jammy at the edges.
6. Toss the salad
Pile the salad greens, cinnamon toasted almonds, dried cranberries, and goat cheese into a big bowl.
Pour the vidalia onion dressing over the top and toss until every leaf is coated.
7. Start the orange dream shake
Pour the orange juice into the blender.
Add the orange blossom honey for a soft floral sweetness.
8. Blend the shake
Drop in the vanilla ice cream and ice.
Blend until it’s thick, creamy, and smells like a creamsicle.
9. Plate the salad
Divide the dressed greens among plates.
Pile the blackened shrimp and warm orange slices on top.
10. Pour the shakes and serve
Pour the orange dream shake into tall glasses.
Serve the salad alongside while the shrimp are still warm.
A Few Things I Picked Up
Pat the shrimp dry before they go in the bag so the glaze and seasoning actually stick.
Watch the broiler close, shrimp go from perfect to rubbery in about a minute.
Toss the salad with the dressing right before serving so the greens dont wilt.
What To Serve It With
This is a full meal on its own, but a hunk of crusty bread is nice for catching the dressing.
The orange dream shake doubles as dessert, so you really dont need anything else.
Switch It Up
Swap the shrimp for blackened chicken or salmon if thats what you have.
Feta or blue cheese work in place of the goat cheese if you want a sharper bite.
Toasted pecans or walnuts are an easy stand in for the almonds.
Shrimp Salad Questions
What shrimp size works best?
Large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, hold up best so they stay juicy under the broiler instead of drying out.
Can I cook the shrimp on the grill instead?
Yes, a hot grill gives you the same charred edges, just a couple minutes per side until they curl and turn opaque.
What can I use instead of vidalia onion dressing?
Any sweet vinaigrette or a honey mustard works, you just want something sweet to balance the spice on the shrimp.
Do I have to broil the oranges?
No, fresh orange slices are good too, but broiling makes them warm and jammy and they melt right into the greens.
Is the orange dream shake boozy?
Nope, its just orange juice, honey, vanilla ice cream, and ice, so it is totally kid friendly.
Can I make the shrimp ahead?
You can broil them a few hours ahead and serve them cold or at room temp, the salad still tastes great either way.
Keeping Leftovers
Keep the shrimp, greens, and dressing in separate containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
The broiled oranges soften more as they sit, so add them fresh when you can.
Blend the shake right before drinking, it doesnt hold up once the ice cream melts.
Blackened Barbecue Shrimp Salad
This blackened barbecue shrimp salad piles broiled glazed shrimp and warm cinnamon oranges over dressed greens with goat cheese, almonds, and cranberries, with a creamy orange dream shake on the side.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Pescatarian
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons barbecue glaze
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons blackening seasoning
- 3 oranges, peeled and cut into 1/2inch slices
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar
- 5 oz mixed salad greens
- 1/4 cup cinnamontoasted almonds
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1/3 cup vidalia onion dressing
- 2 cups orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange blossom honey
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
1. Preheat the broiler and line two baking sheets with foil.
2. In a zip top bag, combine brown sugar and blackening seasoning, then add the shrimp and barbecue glaze and toss to coat.
3. Spread the shrimp on a prepared baking sheet and broil 4 to 6 minutes, until opaque and charred at the edges.
4. Arrange orange slices on the second baking sheet, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and broil 3 to 4 minutes until warm and bubbly.
5. In a large bowl, combine salad greens, cinnamontoasted almonds, dried cranberries, and goat cheese.
6. Add the vidalia onion dressing and toss to coat.
7. For the shake, blend orange juice, orange blossom honey, vanilla ice cream, and ice until smooth.
8. Pour the shake into glasses.
9. Divide the salad among plates and top with the broiled shrimp and oranges.
10. Serve the salad with the orange dream shake.
Notes
Watch the shrimp closely under the broiler so they don’t overcook.
Fresh orange slices work if you would rather skip broiling.
Blend the orange dream shake right before serving.
Check Out More Summer Dinner Ideas!
Crispy Fish With Scallions and Peppers
Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps with Chicken