Mediterranean Shrimp Salad

/ Appetizers, Seafood / By

Mediterranean Shrimp Salad

The origin of Mediterranean shrimp salad isn’t tied to a single country or moment in history—it’s more of a modern fusion inspired by the ingredients and flavors commonly found in Mediterranean cuisine.

Mediterranean cuisine spans countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East and North Africa. A “Mediterranean shrimp salad” typically features ingredients like:

  • Grilled or sautéed shrimp
  • Fresh vegetables (like cucumber, tomato, red onion, and bell pepper)
  • Olives and feta cheese
  • Lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like oregano or parsley

These ingredients reflect the region’s emphasis on fresh, healthy, and flavorful food, especially seafood, which is a staple in coastal Mediterranean diets.

It’s likely that this salad gained popularity in the U.S. or Western Europe in the late 20th or early 21st century as part of the broader trend of Mediterranean diet-inspired dishes.

Ingredients:

For the salad:

  • 1 lb (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 cups mixed greens or chopped romaine
  • Optional: 1 avocado, diced

For the dressing:

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook the shrimp:
    Toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic, sea salt, and pepper. Sauté in a hot skillet (or grill) for about 2–3 minutes per side, until pink and cooked through. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Prepare the dressing:
    In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar (or lemon juice), mustard, oregano, sea salt, and pepper.
  3. Assemble the salad:
    In a large bowl or platter, layer greens, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, and feta. Add shrimp on top.
  4. Drizzle with dressingand toss gently before serving. Thank you for trying this recipe. Please let me know how you liked it. If you enjoyed this recipe, please take a look at other recipes on my fast, simple and good appetizer and seafood pages.

Mediterranean Shrimp Salad