Harissa Grilled Shrimp Salad (GF)

Guys, this Shrimp Salad Recipe has a delicious Moroccan flair. If you like serving a little heat with your shrimp, this recipe will surely gain approval of your family and friends. Everyone will be anxiously waiting around the grill for those savory shrimp skewers to be done and ready for their salad. 

While I usually think hearty Moroccan dishes are more for fall and winter time, you know the cold months, making a Moroccan marinade and using Moroccan spices are perfect for lighter summertime meals. 

I love having a fantastic dinner on the table in less than half an hour. This Grilled Shrimp Salad Recipe is perfect for that guys. If I’m in a hurry to make dinner and don’t want to be stuck in the house with a hot stove or oven going, this recipe on the grill is calling my name. 

Why You’ll Love This Moroccan Shrimp Salad

• unique Moroccan flavor 
• light, quick, healthy shrimp dinner 
• easy dinner on the table in under a half hour

What Is Harissa?

Harissa is a hot pepper chili paste that has a nice hint of garlic and zesty lemon juice. Harissa sauce is a North African spice paste that’s usually served with bread or used in stews and couscous dishes.

Using it to make a salad dressing really amps up the dressing and brings a unique flavor to the Shrimp Salad. 

Tools You Need 

Soooo, let’s gather up these ingredients and I will show you how simple it is to make…..

How To Make Shrimp Salad

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes before using. Or you can grill shrimp directly with no skewers. 
2. Mix together olive oil, soy sauce and harissa paste in a mixing bowl.
3. Add the shrimp to the bowl and mix until coated.
4. You can cook straight away or leave to marinate the shrimp for between 30 minutes to 24 hours.
5. Thread about 5 shrimp to each skewer (if using skewers)
6. Preheat the grill (or charcoal grill) to medium heat, oil the grates and grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque.
7. Transfer grilled shrimp to a plate and set aside. 
8. Make harissa dressing by mixing all ingredients together.
9. Assemble your salad and add shrimp to top. 

Recipe Tips

• I recommend oiling the grill grates before turning the grill on so you don’t get burned. 
• If choosing to use skewers, you can use bamboo or metal. Metal skewers are great for grilling because they transmit heat well.
• Using flat skewers is ideal for shrimp so they don’t twirl around the round skewer.  
• The longer you marinate the shrimp, the more flavor they’ll have. 
• It’s better to use the larger shrimp so they don’t fall between the grates while cooking and so they cook evenly since shrimp cook so quickly. 
• Wait to toss the salad in the dressing until you’re ready to eat so the lettuce doesn’t start to wilt or get soggy. 

Recipe Variations

Moroccan Grilled Shrimp Salad is super tasty and adaptable. 

Change out the shrimp size: While using the biggest shrimp you can get is always optimal, you can change out the size of the shrimp if needed. Have you tried Colossal size shrimp before? Humongous and are great for salads. 

Add in some vegetables: try zucchini, onion, mushroom, yellow squash or peppers that would be easy to grill and taste wonderful with this salad. 

Try out a different marinade: try a Pomegranate Harissa marinade, any of these different homemade marinades or maybe this Grilled Chicken Salad marinade your favorite is.   

Vary amount of ingredients to your taste: Like more heat? Add more Harissa. Maybe even trade it out for a little Korean Gochujang. Want a little more zest? Add more lemon juice.

FAQ

What Size Shrimp Do You Use?

Using the biggest shrimp you have available is what I recommend. While the larger shrimp cost more per pound, they are the easiest to keep on the skewers or on the grill grates.

Cooking larger sized shrimp helps ensure that you cook them all evenly and thoroughly since shrimp cook so fast, the small ones may cook faster than you realize guys. 

Number of shrimp per pound: 

• Medium – between 41-50
• Medium/Large – between 36-40
• Large – between 31-35
• Extra Large- between 26-30
• Jumbo – between 21-25
• Extra Jumbo – between 16-20 
• Colossal – under 15 
• Super Colossal – under 12 
• Extra Colossal – under 10

How Long Do You Grill Shrimp Skewers?

Shrimp cook so quickly on the grill. They only take about 2-3 minutes on each side, so be sure to keep an eye on them. And don’t overcook them. If you have rubbery textured shrimp, you cooked them too long. 

When shrimp are done, they turn opaque. They should be only slightly firm when biting them and are no longer translucent. 

Why Soak Bamboo Skewers?

You want to make sure you soak your skewers in warm water for at least 30 minutes prior to using them. This helps prevent them from catching fire or cooking as you’re grilling. You may even want to soak them overnight if you’re marinating your shrimp overnight too. 

You may opt to use metal skewers instead of bamboo ones. And if you do guys, you obviously don’t need to soak them. No matter if you’re using bamboo or metal skewers, try to get the flat ones. They hold the shrimp in place better than the round skewers do. 

Can You Use Frozen Shrimp? 

Yeap folks, you sure can make these grilled shrimp for your salad using frozen shrimp if you don’t have fresh shrimp. Just make sure to fully defrost the shrimp before cooking them.

Meal Prep And Prep Ahead

Prep Ahead – This recipe is so easy to make. Keep in mind the longer you marinate the shrimp before cooking, the more flavorful they are!

Store – Store shrimp separate from salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Freeze – You can freeze the uncooked shrimp in the marinade. Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this.

• Transfer shrimp and marinade into these convenient Ziploc freezer bags.
• Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
• Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
• Store in the freezer for three months.

Serving Suggestions

• Crunchy Air Fryer Chickpeas.
• Pomegranate Martini.
• Instant Pot Iced Tea.

More Shrimp Recipes

• 15 Minute Shrimp Tacos.
• Shrimp Creole.
• Air Fryer Hibachi Shrimp Dinner.

Weight Watchers Points 

There are 9 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Thank you for reading my Harissa Grilled Shrimp Salad recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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