Description
A vibrant and refreshing Coconut Shrimp Salad featuring crispy air-fried coconut shrimp, sweet honey mangoes, crunchy coconut cashews, and a zesty clementine dressing served over mixed greens. This quick 22-minute salad combines tropical flavors and textures for a perfect light meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 pound frozen coconut shrimp
- 2 honey mangoes, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 to 3 mini cucumbers, sliced into half moons (about 1 cup)
- 1/3 cup coconut cashews, finely chopped
- 5 to 6 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup crispy chow mein noodles (optional)
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Zest and juice of 2 to 3 juicy clementine oranges (about 1/2 teaspoon zest and 1/4 cup juice)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Make Dressing: Zest and juice the clementines to obtain approximately 1/2 teaspoon of zest and 1/4 cup of juice. In a mason jar, combine mayonnaise, clementine zest and juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and salt. Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is well blended. Stir the honey with a spoon if it needs help dissolving. Place the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Prepare Salad Ingredients: Dice the honey mangoes into bite-sized pieces. Slice the mini cucumbers into half-moon shapes. Finely chop the toasted coconut cashews to sprinkle on the salad.
- Cook Coconut Shrimp: Just before serving, cook the frozen coconut shrimp according to the package directions. For the best crispy texture, air fry the shrimp at 380°F for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
- Assemble Salad: Place 5 to 6 cups of mixed greens on a large plate or serving platter. Toss the greens with a suitable amount of the prepared clementine dressing according to your taste. Evenly distribute the diced mango, sliced cucumbers, and chopped cashews over the greens. If using, sprinkle crispy chow mein noodles on top. Arrange the freshly cooked coconut shrimp over the salad and optionally drizzle with more dressing for extra flavor.
Notes
- For a nuttier crunch, lightly toast the coconut cashews before chopping.
- Crispy chow mein noodles add additional texture but can be omitted for a gluten-free version.
- Adjust the amount of dressing to preference to avoid overpowering the fresh salad flavors.
- If an air fryer is not available, bake or pan-fry the coconut shrimp according to package instructions, but air frying yields the crispiest results.
