There’s something timeless about a chilled shrimp salad done right—cool, creamy, and packed with fresh flavor. This Creamy Dill Shrimp Salad strikes the perfect balance between light and indulgent, thanks to a classic dressing made with half mayonnaise and half sour cream, bright lemon juice, and plenty of fresh dill. It’s refreshing without being bland and rich without feeling heavy.
While this shrimp salad is delicious served over crisp butter lettuce, it truly shines when spooned generously onto a toasted, crusty baguette. Served open-face, the creamy dressing sinks slightly into the bread while the shrimp and vegetables stay crisp and vibrant. It’s an easy lunch that feels elevated, a brunch-worthy option, or a simple dinner that doesn’t require turning on the oven.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Dill Shrimp Salad
- Creamy without being overwhelming
- Fresh dill and lemon keep flavors bright
- No cooking required when using cooked shrimp
- Perfect for entertaining or make-ahead meals
- Incredible as an open-face shrimp salad sandwich
This mayo–sour cream shrimp salad has that classic deli-style richness, but with fresh, clean flavors that make it feel modern and light.
Ingredients
For the shrimp:
- 12 oz frozen peeled and deveined cooked tiny shrimp, thawed
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice, divided
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
For the creamy dill dressing and salad:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh dill
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 heads butterhead (Boston or Bibb) lettuce, separated into leaves
- ½ of a medium English cucumber, halved lengthwise and very thinly sliced
- 1¼ cups thinly sliced radishes
- 1 cup yellow grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and thinly sliced
How to Make Creamy Dill Shrimp Salad
1. Marinate the shrimp
In a medium bowl, toss the thawed shrimp with 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, chopped dill, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes so the shrimp absorb the bright lemon-dill flavor.
2. Make the creamy dill dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, remaining lemon juice, fresh dill, and salt until smooth and creamy.
3. Assemble the salad
Arrange butterhead lettuce leaves on a platter or in a large bowl. Layer with cucumber slices, radishes, grape tomatoes, and avocado.
4. Finish and serve
Spoon the marinated shrimp over the salad and drizzle with the creamy dill dressing just before serving.
Best Way to Serve: Open-Face Shrimp Salad on a Crusty Baguette
This salad is exceptional served as an open-face shrimp salad sandwich:
- Slice a rustic baguette and lightly toast it
- Spoon the shrimp salad generously over the bread
- Finish with extra fresh dill and cracked black pepper
The creamy mayo–sour cream dressing paired with crunchy bread and chilled shrimp creates a perfect texture contrast. It’s simple, satisfying, and feels like something you’d order at a coastal café.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Shrimp can be marinated up to 24 hours in advance
- Store dressing separately for best texture
- Add avocado just before serving
- Keep refrigerated in an airtight container
Creamy Dill Shrimp Salad
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 SERVINGS 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
This creamy dill shrimp salad is fresh, bright, and full of texture. Made with tender shrimp, crisp vegetables, and a lemony mayo–sour cream dressing, it’s delicious served over lettuce or spooned onto toasted crusty bread for an easy open-face sandwich.
Ingredients
Shrimp
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12 ounces cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
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3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
-
1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
-
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
-
⅛ teaspoon salt
-
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Creamy Dill Dressing & Salad
-
¼ cup mayonnaise
-
¼ cup sour cream
-
⅓ cup fresh dill, finely chopped
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
2 heads butterhead (Boston or Bibb) lettuce, separated into leaves
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½ medium English cucumber, thinly sliced
-
1¼ cups thinly sliced radishes
-
1 cup yellow grape tomatoes, halved
-
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and thinly sliced
For Serving (Optional)
-
Toasted crusty baguette slices for open-face sandwiches
Instructions
-
Marinate the shrimp
In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, chopped dill, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. -
Make the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, remaining lemon juice, fresh dill, and salt until smooth and creamy. -
Assemble the salad
Arrange butter lettuce leaves on a serving platter or in a large bowl. Top with cucumber, radishes, tomatoes, and avocado. -
Finish and serve
Spoon the marinated shrimp over the salad and drizzle with the creamy dill dressing just before serving.
Notes
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For best texture, add avocado just before serving.
-
Store shrimp and dressing separately if making ahead.
-
This salad is excellent served chilled.
Serving Tip
For an open-face shrimp salad sandwich, spoon the shrimp salad generously over toasted baguette slices and finish with extra dill and cracked black pepper.
- Prep Time: 15 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 30 MINUTES
- Category: APPETIZER | SALAD
- Method: NO COOK
- Cuisine: American
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use all mayonnaise instead of sour cream?
You can, but the sour cream adds tang and lightness that balances the richness of the mayo.
What type of shrimp works best?
Small cooked shrimp work best for even bites and easy serving on bread.
Is this shrimp salad good for meal prep?
Yes—just wait to assemble with lettuce and avocado until serving.
What bread pairs best with this shrimp salad?
A crusty baguette, sourdough, or ciabatta are ideal for open-face sandwiches.
This Creamy Dill Shrimp Salad with Mayo and Sour Cream is proof that simple ingredients can create something truly crave-worthy. Fresh, creamy, and full of texture, it’s a recipe that works just as well for everyday lunches as it does for casual entertaining. And when served open-face on a crusty baguette, it becomes the kind of meal you’ll find yourself thinking about long after the plate is empty.
If you’re looking for a fresh shrimp salad recipe that feels classic, comforting, and effortlessly elegant, this one belongs in your regular rotation.
