Mango Mandarin Sesame Shrimp Salad with Sesame-Ginger Dressing

This vibrant Mango Mandarin Sesame Shrimp Salad is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and fresh flavors. Featuring succulent shrimp, juicy mango, and refreshing mandarin oranges, this salad is complemented by a tangy sesame-ginger dressing. Packed with healthy greens, creamy avocado, and a touch of cilantro, it’s the perfect light yet satisfying meal for warm weather or when you’re craving something fresh and flavorful.

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 1 ½ – 2 pounds uncooked shrimp, shelled and deveined (tail-on is okay)
• 8 cups chopped romaine or green leaf lettuce
• 1 avocado, pitted and thinly sliced
• 1 large mango, diced
• ½ cup mandarin oranges (canned or fresh)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• ⅓ cup shelled edamame
• ¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
• Sesame seeds for topping (optional)

For the Dressing:

• ½ cup oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut work well)
• ⅓ cup rice vinegar
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger (adjust to taste)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Shrimp:
   • Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
   • Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Dressing:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, and ground ginger.
   • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more ginger or garlic if desired.
3. Assemble the Salad:
   • In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine, diced mango, mandarin oranges, red bell pepper, edamame, and cilantro.
   • Toss gently to mix the ingredients.
4. Add the Shrimp and Avocado:
   • Top the salad with the cooked shrimp and thinly sliced avocado.
   • Drizzle the sesame-ginger dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
5. Finish and Serve:
   • Sprinkle the salad with sesame seeds for an extra crunch (optional).
   • Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing, flavor-packed salad!

Conclusion:

This Mango Mandarin Sesame Shrimp Salad offers the perfect balance of textures and flavors, with juicy shrimp, creamy avocado, sweet mango, and tangy mandarin oranges. The sesame-ginger dressing adds an irresistible Asian-inspired touch, making this salad both light and satisfying. It’s a great option for lunch or a light dinner, and can be easily customized to suit your taste.