Crispy Rice Salad with Garlic Shrimp
This crispy rice salad is packed with crispy rice, garlicy shrimp, fresh veggies, and a nutty sesame dressing. If you’re looking for a salad that actually gets you excited for lunch or dinner, this Crispy Rice Garlic Shrimp Salad is about to be your new favorite. It is crispy, savory, garlicky, and super refreshing!
This Crispy Rice Garlic Shrimp Salad is far from your typical sad desk salad. It’s vibrant, exciting, and checks all the flavor boxes. Whether you’re trying to eat more greens or just want something that makes you look forward to your next meal – this recipe is for you!
Looking for more salad recipes? Check out my Cheeseburger Salad Bowl and Miso Glazed Salmon Bowl.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Make sure you also tag me @onehappybite on Instagram and hashtag it #onehappybite so I can see your creations!
Crispy Rice Salad with Garlic Shrimp and Sesame Dressing
Ingredients
Crispy Rice
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp chili oil, optional
Garlic Shrimp
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 6 clove garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt, more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper, more to taste
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
Vegetables
- 5 Persian or Japanese cucumber, thinly sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced or chopped
- 1 red bell peper, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
Creamy Sesame Dressing
- 4 tbsp white sesame seeds
- ½ cup Kewpie mayo
- 4 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 4 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
Make Crispy Rice
- Preheat the oven to 400℉
- Mix the cooked rice with soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili oil (optional).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the seasoned rice to the baking sheet, press the rice in a single later, flattening with a spatula.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the rice is golden brown and crispy. Set aside.
Make Garlic Shrimp
- While the rice is in the oven, prepare the garlic shrimp. In a pan, heat 1 tbsp of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then add shrimp and cook on both sides. Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. Mix and set aside.
Make Sesame Dressing
- Using a mortar and pestle or food processor, grind the sesame seeds until sandy. In a bowl, add ground sesame seeds, kewpie mayo, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Salad
- Add cucumber, red onion, red bell pepper, green onion, and fresh parsley to a big bowl. Top with garlic shrimp and crispy rice and pour dressing on top. Toss the salad until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Made this last night and it was soo good but the dressing was the star of the dish! So nutty and creamy with the sesame and mayo!
Thank you so much for leaving a review! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe!!
Can you use day old rice or does it have to be fresh cooked?
Yes you can! Just make sure the rice is warm throughout. You can also microwave the day old rice first before putting into the oven.
OMG! So good 😋
Thank you for leaving a review! I’m so glad to hear that you liked it!