If you’re craving a bold, restaurant-worthy salad that’s a breeze to whip up at home, this Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad is the answer. Picture juicy shrimp with a punchy, smoky spice crust, kissed with sweet heat from hot honey, all nestled atop crisp romaine tossed in creamy Caesar dressing. Parmesan, crunchy croutons, and a finishing drizzle of spicy honey turn classic Caesar into an absolute flavor celebration. This is the salad you serve when you want to impress—and treat yourself all at once!

Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad lies in just a handful of ingredients, thoughtfully chosen to give you color, crunch, and a symphony of flavors. Each one has a purpose—whether it’s building heat, adding tang, or delivering crave-worthy texture.

Large Shrimp (1 pound, peeled and deveined): Choose plump, fresh shrimp for juicy bites and ensure they’re peeled for easy eating.
Olive Oil (1 tablespoon): Helps the seasonings cling and encourages perfect blackening in the skillet.
Hot Honey (1 tablespoon + extra for drizzling): Adds irresistible, sticky sweetness with a slow-burning kick—it’s truly the heart of this salad.
Smoked Paprika (1 teaspoon): Brings a deep, sultry smokiness you don’t want to skip.
Garlic Powder (1 teaspoon): Layers in savory depth without overpowering.
Onion Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Rounds out the spice blend with subtle, aromatic sweetness.
Dried Oregano (1/2 teaspoon): Offers a herby, Mediterranean note that lifts every bite.
Cayenne Pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Cranks up the heat just enough to make things interesting.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Brightens and highlights all the other flavors.
Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds earthy, spicy backbone to the shrimp rub.
Chopped Romaine Lettuce (6 cups): Provides a cooling, crispy base and classic Caesar crunch.
Caesar Dressing (1/2 cup): Creamy, tangy, and just a little bit garlicky—store-bought or homemade both work!
Grated Parmesan Cheese (1/4 cup): Brings nutty saltiness to tie the salad together.
Croutons (1 cup): The crunchy finishing touch—you can go classic or try a rustic, homemade version.
Optional: Fresh Lemon Wedges: A quick squeeze wakes up all the flavors and adds sunny brightness to every forkful.

How to Make Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad

Step 1: Toss the Shrimp in Spices and Honey

Start by grabbing a medium mixing bowl and add your peeled and deveined shrimp. Drizzle in the olive oil and hot honey, then sprinkle on the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Get in there with a spoon (or even better, your clean hands) and make sure each shrimp is beautifully coated with that fragrant, sticky spice blend. This is where the flavor magic starts!

Step 2: Sear and Blacken the Shrimp

Heat a large skillet over medium-high until it’s nice and hot—a drop of water should sizzle and jump. Add your shrimp in a single layer (you might need to do this in batches), and let them cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side. You’ll see the spices char slightly and smell those toasty notes—that’s the hallmark of blackened goodness. As soon as the shrimp are opaque and curled, take them off the heat so they stay super juicy.

Step 3: Toss the Caesar Salad Base

While your shrimp cool slightly, grab a big salad bowl and toss in your chopped romaine. Pour over the creamy Caesar dressing and give everything a thorough toss, making sure every green gets a glossy coating. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan and scatter on the croutons, then toss again gently so the cheese and crunch are evenly distributed without bruising the lettuce.

Step 4: Assemble and Finish with Hot Honey

Pile the dressed Caesar salad onto plates or a big serving platter. Arrange the hot honey blackened shrimp right on top, being generous—everyone will want plenty! Drizzle with a little more hot honey for a sweet-spicy finish, and pop on some lemon wedges if you like a citrusy lift. Serve immediately, and watch everyone dig in.

How to Serve Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad

Garnishes

Go big on garnishes to really make your Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad shine! A shower of extra Parmesan adds salty savor, while a final drizzle of hot honey makes each bite irresistible. Freshly cracked black pepper or a handful of microgreens bring out the colors, and a squeeze of fresh lemon adds that last pop of freshness you’ll crave with every mouthful.

Side Dishes

This lively salad is a full meal on its own, but you can round things out with a warm slice of garlic bread or a simple cup of tomato soup on chilly evenings. If you want something lighter, serve with a citrusy fruit salad for a refreshing contrast to the shrimp’s smoky spice. Any way you plate it, this salad stands front and center!

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad into a show-stopping centerpiece by serving it family-style on a large platter, shrimp artfully arranged on top. For lunch parties or potlucks, try layering the salad in clear mason jars for a fun, portable option. For a fancier twist, you can present the salad in parmesan bowls or even tuck a few shrimp into endive leaves for appetizer bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which is pretty rare with this dish!), store the shrimp and salad separately. Keep the cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days, and the undressed lettuce, croutons, and cheese in another—this helps preserve all the glorious textures while keeping flavors fresh.

Freezing

While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the blackened shrimp on their own if needed. Lay them flat on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to a month. However, avoid freezing the dressed salad, as lettuce and dairy-based Caesar dressing don’t thaw well and can lose their crispness.

Reheating

To reheat the shrimp, simply warm them in a skillet over low heat for a minute or two until heated through, being careful not to overcook. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the shrimp rubbery. Enjoy the salad base chilled and top with your warmed shrimp for the perfect pairing of hot and cold.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Absolutely! Just thaw completely and pat dry before tossing in the spice mixture. This helps the seasonings stick and ensures you get that perfect blackened crust.

Is there a way to make the salad less spicy?

Yes! Simply reduce or skip the cayenne pepper in the blackened seasoning, and use a mild honey instead of hot honey if you want less heat but still crave a touch of sweetness.

What’s the best Caesar dressing to use?

You can use a classic store-bought Caesar or make your own from scratch. For a lighter spin, use a Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing—it adds tangy creaminess and keeps things a bit healthier.

Can I grill the shrimp instead of using a skillet?

Definitely! Thread the seasoned shrimp onto skewers and grill over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes per side. You’ll get wonderful smoky flavor and gorgeous grill marks to boot.

How can I make this dish gluten-free?

Just swap regular croutons for a gluten-free variety, and double-check that your Caesar dressing doesn’t contain any hidden gluten ingredients. The rest of the Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad is naturally gluten-free!

Final Thoughts

If you love the idea of a salad that’s just as fun and bold as it is nourishing, give the Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad a spot on your dinner table. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but dazzling enough for guests, and every bite brings that perfect mix of spicy, creamy, crunchy, and sweet. Let yourself get hooked—you won’t regret it!

Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 21 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and savory with this Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad. Tender shrimp coated in a flavorful blend of spices, drizzled with hot honey, and served atop a bed of crisp romaine lettuce tossed in creamy Caesar dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Shrimp:

1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon hot honey (plus more for drizzling)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Salad:

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1/2 cup Caesar dressing
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup croutons
Optional: fresh lemon wedges for serving

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Instructions

Prepare the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, hot honey, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper until well coated.
Cook the Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until blackened and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, toss the chopped romaine with Caesar dressing until evenly coated. Add the Parmesan and croutons, and gently toss again. Top the salad with the hot honey blackened shrimp. Drizzle with additional hot honey if desired and serve with lemon wedges.