The BEST Prawn Salad Recipe (in just 10 minutes)
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I’ve turned basic prawn salad into a fun, modern twist on a classic. Unlike boring prawn salad recipes, this features crispy air-fried shrimp, fresh herbs, a lovely homemade dressing, and a burst of flavor from sweet mango. Did I mention it’s fast, easy, and healthy, too?! Inspired by prawn cocktail salad, this delicious prawn dish is fantastic for a weeknight meal or starter. If you love flavorful seafood dishes, you need to try my Creamy Shrimp and Corn Pasta next.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Healthy: Since it’s made with lean protein, tons of veg, and a homemade dressing, this prawn salad is a great option for when you want a healthier meal.
- Easy: This easy prawn salad recipe only requires four steps! If you are looking for fresh prawn salad ideas, this is the one.
- Fast: I love this simple salad, as it only takes about 10 minutes to create. For more quick meals, try the 10-minute Jennifer Aniston Salad.
- Delicious: A yummy homemade dressing helps produce a flavourful, tangy sauce that compliments the juicy prawns. It reminds me of the fresh flavors in this Delicious Marry Me Shrimp Pasta.
If you need more recipes with prawns, look no further! Try these easy and quick recipes: Shrimp Ramen and Easy Red Prawn Thai Curry.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- King prawns: I believe the best salads include king prawns, as they’re very meaty and have a yummy slightly sweet taste. This prawn salad uses them perfectly, but other types of shrimp will also work. Be sure to use deveined/shelled shrimp for the quickest prep time. If you love prawns, check out my Prawn Rice.
- Fresh mango: The sweetness of the mango pairs beautifully with the savory shrimp in this prawn and mango salad. It adds a tropical twist that takes the dish to the next level.
- Baby gem lettuce: This type of lettuce is known for its sweet flavour and crispy texture. It is the perfect crisp base for a prawn salad. If you have other lettuce in your fridge that needs using up, feel free to use that instead. Try using leftover lettuce in these Easy Burger Bowls.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations/ Adaptations
Try these variations the next time you make prawn salad:
- Change the sauce: You can easily customize the prawn salad dressing. Try making dressings with ingredients like fish sauce, miso paste, or sesame oil for an Asian flair similar to the Best Miso Dressing Recipe.
- Mediterranean twist: Use feta cheese, Greek salad dressing, garbanzo beans, and pitted black olives. It’s one of the best ever prawn salad recipes for a summer lunch.
- Add avocado: For a simpler variation, consider adding creamy avocado to this delicious salad. Or add garlic powder to the prawns while they’re cooking for a garlic prawn salad. See how I make The Best Garlic Prawns.
- Swap veggies: One of the easiest adaptations of this recipe is using the veggies you prefer or already have.
Serve the prawn salad with some easy side dishes: The Crispiest Halloumi Fries, Airfryer Frozen Fries or Airfryer Hash Browns.
How to make the Best Prawn Salad
- Start by preheating your airfryer to 400°F (200°C). Once heated remove the tray ready to use (Image 1).
- Place the frozen shrimp into the airfryer basket, evenly distributed so they aren’t touching. Cook for 2 minutes at 400°F (200°C) (Image 2).
3. After this time the prawns will be partly cooked (Image 3).
4. Next, add 1 tbsp rapeseed oil, Cajun seasoning and cornflour into the basket and shake to evenly coat the prawns (Image 4).
5. Space the prawns out again, then cook for a further 3-4 minutes at 400°F (200°C) (Image 5).
6. Serve with an optional squeeze of lime and a crack of black pepper (Image 6).
7. Meanwhile, wash and dry the lettuce (Image 7).
8. Slice the red onions and mini cucumbers (Image 8).
9. Then peel and chop the mango (Image 9).
10. To make the dressing, combine the extra virgin olive oil, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar and brown sugar to form the salad dressing. Taste to adjust the seasoning as necessary (Image 10).
11. Drizzle the dressing over the lettuce, cucumber and red onion. Toss the salad to combine and add the lettuce leaves and slices of radish to a bowl (Image 11).
12. Add the cooked prawns, mango, an optional wedge of lime and a sprinkle of fresh coriander. If you like spice then add some chilli flakes. Dig in! (Image 12).
If you love using the air fryer, try these quick and tasty recipes: The BEST Air Fryer Salmon Bites, Chicken Goujons and Frozen Fish Fingers in Air Fryer.
Tips for the best result
- When making this prawn salad, avoid overcooking the shrimp. If they cook for too long in the air fryer, their texture will become rubbery and unappetizing.
- The best mango prawn salad is one that includes your favourite salad ingredients. Whether you prefer a squeeze of fresh lime juice or grilled prawns, feel free to make this recipe your own.
- I recommend cooking the shrimp for short bursts at a high heat to create a healthy prawn salad that is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Serving Suggestions
This prawn salad is versatile enough to serve as a main course or a refreshing side dish. It works perfectly as a cold prawn salad recipe for picnics, packed lunches, or light dinners.
Try it with:
- Easy Salt and Pepper Chips
- Easy Vegetable Rice Pilaf Recipe
- Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli
- The BEST Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
- Crispiest Diced Potatoes in Air Fryer
- Frozen Garlic Bread in Air Fryer
Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions
Refrigerator: Store leftover prawn salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. If possible, store the dressing separately to keep the lettuce crisp.
Freezer: I do not recommend freezing a prawn cocktail salad, as the fresh lettuce and cucumber will become soggy upon thawing.
Reheat: No reheating needed! Prawn salads like this are best enjoyed cold. If you have leftover raw prawns, use them in the Ultimate Prawn and Chorizo Pasta.
FAQs
The type of prawn salad you make will determine this. This recipe is a lighter prawn salad with mayonnaise alternative that features a tangy, soy-based dressing instead.
Prawn cocktail salad is best when it’s cold. However, you can turn this into a hot prawn salad by serving the prawns immediately after air frying while they are still warm.
When making a king prawn salad, you should remove the shells and the digestive tract (the dark vein on the back). The rest of the meat is delicious!
Absolutely. This simple prawn salad recipe requires minimal prep and cooks in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for beginners!
Need inspiration for some main dish recipes? Try my Grinder Salad (Italian Sub Salad, Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce and The BEST Halloumi Salad.
If you tried the Prawn Salad recipe, it would mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
The BEST Prawn Salad Recipe (in just 10 minutes)
Ingredients
- 400 g frozen king prawns, peeled and raw (£5.95)
- 4 heads of baby gem lettuce, (£0.89)
- 150 g radishes,thinly sliced (£0.39)
- 1 mango, peeled and cubed (£1.29)
- 200 g mini cucumbers, thinly sliced on bias (£1.00)
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced (£0.15)
- Fresh coriander, torn to serve (£0.60)
- Optional wedge of lime
Cupboard Essentials
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- ½ tbsp brown sugar
- Salt and Pepper
- ½ tbsp paprika
Method
Preheat your airfryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the frozen prawns into the airfryer basket, evenly distributed so they aren’t touching. Cook for 2 minutes at 400°F (200°C)
- Next, add 1 tbsp rapeseed oil, paprika, salt and pepper into the basket and shake to evenly coat the prawns. Space the prawns out again, then cook for a further 3-4 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Combine the extra virgin olive oil, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar and brown sugar to form the salad dressing. Taste to adjust the seasoning as necessary.
- Drizzle the dressing over the lettuce, cucumber and red onion. Toss to combine then serve into bowls and top with radishes, the cooked prawns, mango, an optional wedge of lime and a sprinkle of fresh coriander. If you like spice then add some chilli flakes. Dig in!
Notes
- Avoid rubbery shrimp by cooking until light pink and translucent spots disappear.
- Add your favorite ingredients to the prawn salad like veggies or lime juice.
- Prevent overcooking by using high heat in short bursts, ensuring juicy shrimp with crispy texture.
Nutrition
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