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Colorful Jerk Shrimp Caribbean Salad

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This vibrant Caribbean salad layers warm, spicy jerk-seared shrimp over crisp romaine with tropical fruit, sautéed corn, and honey lime dressing. The contrast of warm, caramelized shrimp against cool pineapple, orange, and creamy avocado is what makes it shine. It comes together in about 50 minutes and eats like a complete meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Caribbean

Ingredients
  

For the Jerk Marinade & Shrimp
  • 2 garlic cloves freshly minced
  • 1/2 tsp lime zest
  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp jerk seasoning Walkerswood recommended for authentic flavor
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb shrimp
For the Salad Base
  • 4 cups romaine chopped into 1-inch ribbons
  • 1/4 cup honey lime dressing
For the Corn & Jalapeño Sauté
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 16 oz corn Birds Eye gold corn recommended
  • 2 jalapeños deseeded and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
For Assembly
  • 1/2 cup pineapple cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup oranges
  • 1/2 cup red peppers
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely diced
  • 3 tbsp cilantro fresh

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Serving bowls

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, lime zest, lime juice, jerk seasoning, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to form the marinade. Add the shrimp and toss until fully coated. Allow the shrimp to marinate at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. Use this time to prep all your vegetables: chop the romaine into 1-inch ribbons, finely dice the red onion, deseed and dice the jalapeños into 1/4-inch pieces, cut the pineapple into 1/2-inch cubes, and measure out the corn, oranges, and red peppers.
  2. Add the chopped romaine to your serving bowls and drizzle with the honey lime dressing. Toss gently until the leaves are evenly coated, then set the bowls aside while you cook the remaining components.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the corn and diced jalapeños. Cook for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the corn picks up light golden spots and the jalapeños have softened. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add the marinated shrimp along with all of the marinade liquid. Sear for 2–3 minutes on the first side without disturbing them, then flip and cook another 2–3 minutes until the shrimp are opaque pink and have developed a caramelized jerk crust. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding the pan.
  5. Distribute the cooked shrimp evenly between the two dressed romaine bowls. Spoon the corn and jalapeño mixture over the top, then arrange the pineapple cubes, orange segments, red peppers, and avocado around each bowl. Finish with an extra drizzle of honey lime dressing and a generous handful of fresh cilantro. Serve right away while the shrimp are still warm.

Notes

For the best caramelized crust on the shrimp, resist the urge to move them once they hit the pan — let each side cook undisturbed for the full 2–3 minutes. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry before marinating so excess moisture doesn't interfere with searing. Remove all jalapeño seeds for a milder heat level, or leave some in if you prefer more fire. Dress the romaine just before you start cooking the shrimp so the lettuce stays crisp against the warm toppings. Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers — cooked shrimp keep for up to 2 days and chopped vegetables for 1–2 days; assemble fresh and reheat the shrimp gently in a skillet over medium heat for 1–2 minutes before serving.

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