Recreating that beloved costco shrimp salad recipe at home has never been easier or more satisfying. This refreshing salad combines tender, succulent shrimp with crisp vegetables and a zesty lemon-mustard dressing. It’s the perfect dish for hot summer days, quick lunches, or elegant dinner parties.
Many people fall in love with the costco shrimp salad they find at the warehouse store but want to make it fresh at home. This homemade version captures all the flavors you love while allowing you to control the ingredients and freshness. The combination of sweet shrimp, crunchy vegetables, and tangy dressing creates an irresistible harmony of flavors and textures.
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or entertaining guests, this costco shrimp salad recipe delivers restaurant-quality results every time. The best part is that it requires no cooking and comes together in just 20 minutes of prep time. You’ll have a nutritious, protein-packed meal that satisfies without feeling heavy.
My Personal Experience with This Costco Shrimp Salad Recipe
I first tried the original costco shrimp salad during a busy weeknight when I needed something quick and healthy for dinner. The fresh taste and satisfying protein content made it an instant hit with my family. However, I wanted to recreate it at home to have more control over the ingredients and save money.
After several attempts to perfect the flavor profile, I developed this costco shrimp salad recipe that captures the essence of the store-bought version. My family actually prefers this homemade version because the vegetables are crisper and the dressing is brighter. The freshness really makes a difference in both taste and texture.
Now this recipe has become my go-to solution for summer entertaining and meal prep. I love how versatile it is – sometimes I add avocado, other times I include different herbs. The costco shrimp salad concept has inspired countless variations in my kitchen, but this original version remains our absolute favorite for its perfect balance of flavors.
Ingredients Required for This Costco Shrimp Salad Recipe
Main Salad Components
- Cooked Shrimp = 1 lb (peeled and deveined)
- Cherry Tomatoes = 2 cups (halved)
- Cucumber = 1 cup (diced)
- Red Bell Pepper = 1 cup (diced)
- Red Onion = 1/2 cup (finely chopped)
- Fresh Parsley = 1/4 cup (chopped)
Dressing Ingredients
- Olive Oil = 1/4 cup
- Lemon Juice = 2 tablespoons
- Dijon Mustard = 1 tablespoon
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Kitchen Utensils List
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl for dressing
- Wire whisk
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Colander for draining shrimp
- Wooden spoon or salad tongs
- Serving bowl
- Plastic wrap or airtight container
- Fine-mesh strainer (for rinsing vegetables)
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Chilling Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Serves: 4-6 people
Copycat Costco Shrimp Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp for Your Costco Shrimp Salad
Start by examining your cooked shrimp carefully. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water for quicker thawing. This ensures even temperature throughout.
Remove any remaining shells and devein the shrimp if this hasn’t been done already. Look for the dark vein running along the back of each shrimp and remove it with a small paring knife. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels.
If your shrimp are very large, consider cutting them in half or into bite-sized pieces. This makes the salad easier to eat and helps distribute the shrimp more evenly throughout the dish. Medium to large shrimp work best for this recipe.
Step 2: Chop All Vegetables for Your Costco Shrimp Salad Recipe
Wash all vegetables thoroughly under cold running water. Start by dicing the cucumber into uniform pieces about 1/2 inch in size. Remove seeds if the cucumber is particularly watery, as excess moisture can dilute the dressing.
Cut the red bell pepper into similar-sized dice, removing all seeds and white membranes. The pepper adds wonderful crunch and sweetness to balance the tangy dressing. Make sure pieces are uniform for the best presentation and eating experience.
Finely chop the red onion, aiming for pieces about 1/4 inch in size. If you’re sensitive to strong onion flavor, you can soak the chopped onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
Halve the cherry tomatoes, cutting them from top to bottom rather than around the middle. This helps them hold their shape better and prevents them from becoming too watery in the salad.
Finally, chop the fresh parsley finely, removing any thick stems. Fresh herbs make a significant difference in this recipe, so avoid using dried parsley if possible.
Step 3: Mix the Dressing for Your Costco Shrimp Salad
In a small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Use a wire whisk to blend these ingredients thoroughly until the mixture emulsifies and becomes smooth.
Season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Start with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, then adjust according to your preference. The dressing should be bright and tangy with a slight bite from the mustard.
Whisk the dressing vigorously for about 30 seconds to ensure all ingredients are well combined. The olive oil should be fully incorporated, creating a smooth, cohesive dressing that won’t separate easily.
Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings as needed. Some people prefer more lemon juice for extra brightness, while others might want a touch more mustard for additional tang.
Step 4: Combine All Ingredients for Your Costco Shrimp Salad Recipe
In your large mixing bowl, combine the prepared shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and fresh parsley. Toss gently with your hands or salad tongs to distribute ingredients evenly.
Make sure the vegetables are well mixed before adding the dressing. This helps ensure every bite will have a good balance of flavors and textures. The colorful vegetables should look appealing and fresh.
Handle the ingredients gently to avoid breaking up the tomatoes or bruising the delicate parsley leaves. The goal is to maintain the integrity of each component while combining them harmoniously.
Step 5: Add Dressing to Your Costco Shrimp Salad
Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the shrimp and vegetable mixture. Start by adding about three-quarters of the dressing, as you can always add more if needed.
Using salad tongs or a large spoon, gently stir the salad to coat all ingredients with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break up the tender vegetables and make the salad mushy.
Continue stirring until every piece of shrimp and vegetable is lightly coated with dressing. The salad should look glossy and well-dressed but not swimming in liquid. Add the remaining dressing if needed.
Step 6: Chill Your Costco Shrimp Salad Recipe
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop. This chilling time is crucial for the best taste.
During the chilling period, the vegetables will release some of their natural juices, which will blend with the dressing to create even more flavor. The onion will mellow slightly, and all the ingredients will harmonize beautifully.
For best results, chill the salad for up to 2 hours before serving. This extended chilling time allows the flavors to fully develop and creates the most authentic taste that mimics the original costco shrimp salad.
Step 7: Serve Your Costco Shrimp Salad
Before serving, remove the salad from the refrigerator and give it a gentle stir. The ingredients may have settled during chilling, so mixing helps redistribute everything evenly.
Taste the salad and adjust seasonings if necessary. Sometimes a pinch more salt or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can brighten the flavors just before serving.
Serve the salad chilled in individual bowls or on a large platter. This costco shrimp salad recipe is perfect on its own or can be served over mixed greens for a more substantial meal.
Storage Guidance for Leftover Costco Shrimp Salad
Store leftover costco shrimp salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad is best consumed within 24 hours for optimal freshness and texture. Stir gently before serving leftovers.
Serving Ideas for This Costco Shrimp Salad
- Lettuce Wraps: Serve this costco shrimp salad in butter lettuce cups for a low-carb, elegant appetizer. The crisp lettuce provides a perfect contrast to the creamy salad mixture and makes for beautiful presentation at parties.
- Stuffed Avocado Halves: Scoop the costco shrimp salad recipe into halved and pitted avocados for a nutritious, Instagram-worthy lunch. Drizzle with extra lemon juice to prevent the avocado from browning and add visual appeal.
- Sandwich Filling: Use this costco shrimp salad as a filling for croissants, pita pockets, or crusty rolls. Add some fresh spinach or arugula for extra greens and texture contrast in your sandwich creation.
- Over Mixed Greens: Transform this costco shrimp salad recipe into a larger meal by serving it over a bed of mixed baby greens or spinach. The additional greens make it more filling while keeping it light and healthy.
- Pasta Salad Addition: Toss this costco shrimp salad with cooked and cooled pasta shells or rotini for a heartier dish perfect for potlucks. The pasta absorbs the flavors while making the salad more substantial and satisfying.
- Appetizer Cups: Serve individual portions of this costco shrimp salad recipe in small glasses or appetizer cups for elegant entertaining. Garnish with a sprig of fresh dill or a lemon twist for sophisticated presentation.
Tips for Perfecting This Costco Shrimp Salad Recipe
- Choose Quality Shrimp: The success of your costco shrimp salad recipe depends heavily on using high-quality, properly cooked shrimp. Look for shrimp that are firm, sweet-smelling, and free from any fishy odors. Pre-cooked frozen shrimp from reputable sources work excellent for this recipe.
- Maintain Proper Vegetable Sizes: Cut all vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces for the best eating experience with your costco shrimp salad. Pieces that are too large make the salad difficult to eat, while pieces that are too small lose their textural impact.
- Balance the Dressing: The key to an authentic-tasting costco shrimp salad recipe is achieving the perfect balance in the dressing. Start with less and add more gradually. The salad should be lightly dressed, not drowning in liquid that will make it soggy over time.
- Fresh Herb Importance: Always use fresh parsley rather than dried for this costco shrimp salad. Fresh herbs provide brightness and color that dried herbs simply cannot match. Chop the parsley just before using to maintain maximum flavor and vibrant green color.
- Temperature Matters: Serve your costco shrimp salad recipe well-chilled for the best taste and food safety. Cold temperature enhances the refreshing quality of the salad and helps maintain the firm texture of the shrimp and vegetables throughout serving.
- Advance Preparation: While this costco shrimp salad can be made ahead, add delicate ingredients like tomatoes closer to serving time if you’re preparing more than a day in advance. This prevents the salad from becoming too watery from vegetable juices.
- Seasoning Adjustments: Taste your costco shrimp salad recipe just before serving and adjust seasonings as needed. Chilled foods often need slightly more salt and acid than you might expect, so don’t hesitate to add a pinch more salt or lemon juice.
This costco shrimp salad recipe brings the beloved warehouse store favorite right to your kitchen with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The combination of tender shrimp, crisp vegetables, and zesty dressing creates a satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and delicious.
Perfect for meal prep, entertaining, or quick weeknight dinners, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results every time. Make this costco shrimp salad today and discover how easy it is to create this refreshing dish at home!
Costco Shrimp Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- Cooked Shrimp = 1 lb peeled and deveined
- Cherry Tomatoes = 2 cups halved
- Cucumber = 1 cup diced
- Red Bell Pepper = 1 cup diced
- Red Onion = 1/2 cup finely chopped
- Fresh Parsley = 1/4 cup chopped
- Olive Oil = 1/4 cup
- Lemon Juice = 2 tablespoons
- Dijon Mustard = 1 tablespoon
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by examining your cooked shrimp carefully. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water for quicker thawing. This ensures even temperature throughout.
- Remove any remaining shells and devein the shrimp if this hasn’t been done already. Look for the dark vein running along the back of each shrimp and remove it with a small paring knife. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels.
- If your shrimp are very large, consider cutting them in half or into bite-sized pieces. This makes the salad easier to eat and helps distribute the shrimp more evenly throughout the dish. Medium to large shrimp work best for this recipe.
- Wash all vegetables thoroughly under cold running water. Start by dicing the cucumber into uniform pieces about 1/2 inch in size. Remove seeds if the cucumber is particularly watery, as excess moisture can dilute the dressing.
- Cut the red bell pepper into similar-sized dice, removing all seeds and white membranes. The pepper adds wonderful crunch and sweetness to balance the tangy dressing. Make sure pieces are uniform for the best presentation and eating experience.
- Finely chop the red onion, aiming for pieces about 1/4 inch in size. If you’re sensitive to strong onion flavor, you can soak the chopped onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, cutting them from top to bottom rather than around the middle. This helps them hold their shape better and prevents them from becoming too watery in the salad.
- Finally, chop the fresh parsley finely, removing any thick stems. Fresh herbs make a significant difference in this recipe, so avoid using dried parsley if possible.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Use a wire whisk to blend these ingredients thoroughly until the mixture emulsifies and becomes smooth.
- Season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Start with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, then adjust according to your preference. The dressing should be bright and tangy with a slight bite from the mustard.
- Whisk the dressing vigorously for about 30 seconds to ensure all ingredients are well combined. The olive oil should be fully incorporated, creating a smooth, cohesive dressing that won’t separate easily.
- Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings as needed. Some people prefer more lemon juice for extra brightness, while others might want a touch more mustard for additional tang.
- In your large mixing bowl, combine the prepared shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and fresh parsley. Toss gently with your hands or salad tongs to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Make sure the vegetables are well mixed before adding the dressing. This helps ensure every bite will have a good balance of flavors and textures. The colorful vegetables should look appealing and fresh.
- Handle the ingredients gently to avoid breaking up the tomatoes or bruising the delicate parsley leaves. The goal is to maintain the integrity of each component while combining them harmoniously.
- Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the shrimp and vegetable mixture. Start by adding about three-quarters of the dressing, as you can always add more if needed.
- Using salad tongs or a large spoon, gently stir the salad to coat all ingredients with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break up the tender vegetables and make the salad mushy.
- Continue stirring until every piece of shrimp and vegetable is lightly coated with dressing. The salad should look glossy and well-dressed but not swimming in liquid. Add the remaining dressing if needed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop. This chilling time is crucial for the best taste.
- During the chilling period, the vegetables will release some of their natural juices, which will blend with the dressing to create even more flavor. The onion will mellow slightly, and all the ingredients will harmonize beautifully.
- For best results, chill the salad for up to 2 hours before serving. This extended chilling time allows the flavors to fully develop and creates the most authentic taste that mimics the original costco shrimp salad.
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Notes
Related FAQs About Costco Shrimp Salad
Q1: Can I use raw shrimp instead of pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use raw shrimp, but you’ll need to cook it first. Boil the peeled and deveined shrimp in salted water for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque, then immediately transfer to ice water to stop cooking. Pat dry completely before using in the salad.
Q2: How long can I store this shrimp salad in the refrigerator?
A: This shrimp salad is best consumed within 24-48 hours of preparation. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and always check for any off odors before eating. Seafood salads don’t keep as long as other types of salads due to the perishable nature of shrimp.
Q3: Can I substitute the Dijon mustard with regular yellow mustard?
A: While Dijon mustard provides the most authentic flavor, you can substitute with regular yellow mustard if needed. Use slightly less (about 2 teaspoons instead of 1 tablespoon) as yellow mustard can be more acidic and overpowering than Dijon.
Q4: What size shrimp works best for this recipe?
A: Medium to large shrimp (31-40 count per pound or 21-30 count per pound) work best. They’re substantial enough to hold up in the salad without being overwhelming. If using very large shrimp, consider cutting them into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
Q5: Can I make this salad dairy-free and gluten-free?
A: Yes, this recipe is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free as written. Just make sure your Dijon mustard doesn’t contain any wheat-based ingredients, though most standard brands are gluten-free. Always check labels if you have severe allergies or sensitivities.
Q6: What vegetables can I substitute or add to change up the recipe?
A: Great additions include diced celery for extra crunch, chopped green onions instead of red onion, diced avocado (add just before serving), or fresh dill instead of parsley. You can also add corn kernels, chopped hard-boiled eggs, or capers for different flavor profiles.
Q7: Can I prepare the dressing ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! The dressing can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Whisk it again before using as the ingredients may separate. Having pre-made dressing makes assembling the salad even quicker when you’re ready to serve.
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