I made this the first time because I wanted “a salad,” but also wanted shrimp that tastes like it’s been invited to a barbecue. It’s smoky, sweet, a little dramatic, and somehow still counts as leafy greens.
The warm cinnamon-sugar oranges are the part that made me pause mid-bite like, “okay…who gave salad permission to be this good?” They hit that sweet-savory thing so hard you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain vinaigrette and sadness.
And then the Orange Dream Shake shows up like a dessert disguised as a beverage, which is honestly my favorite kind of lie. I blended one “for the table” and mysteriously it never made it past the kitchen.
Blackened-Barbecue Shrimp Salad with Orange Dream Shakes
EQUIPMENT (PAID LINKS)
- Gallon zip-top bag
- Foil
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Serving plates
- Blender
- Drinking glasses
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup barbecue glaze
- 1 tablespoon blackening seasoning
- 2 large oranges
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar
- 6 cups mixed greens
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup cinnamon-toasted almonds
- ⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese
- ⅓ cup vidalia onion dressing
- 1½ cups orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange blossom honey
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 3 cups vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 425°F so it’s ready to roast the shrimp fast without drying them out. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
- Coat the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to a gallon zip-top bag. Pour in the barbecue glaze and sprinkle in the blackening seasoning, then seal and toss the bag around until the shrimp are evenly coated.
- Roast the Shrimp: Spread the shrimp in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 6–8 minutes, until pink and cooked through. Remove from the oven and keep warm while you prep the rest.
- Slice the Oranges: Cut the oranges into thick rounds, about ¼-inch thick, and lay the slices on a foil-lined baking sheet. If your shrimp sheet is messy, use fresh foil or a second sheet.
- Warm the Oranges: Sprinkle the orange slices with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 425°F for 4–6 minutes, just until warmed and glossy-looking, then remove from the oven.
- Build the Salad: Add the mixed greens to a large bowl. Sprinkle in the dried cranberries and cinnamon-toasted almonds, then add the crumbled blue cheese.
- Dress the Greens: Drizzle the vidalia onion dressing over the salad and toss gently until lightly coated. If you like a lighter salad, start with a little less and add more as needed.
- Assemble and Serve: Divide the salad among plates. Top each serving with warm orange slices and the roasted blackened-barbecue shrimp.
- Blend the Orange Dream Shakes: Add the orange juice and orange blossom honey to a blender, then add the ice cubes and vanilla ice cream. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 30–45 seconds.
- Pour and Sip: Pour into glasses and serve right away while it’s thick, frosty, and pretending it isn’t basically dessert.
Video Recipe
Tips, Tricks & Lazy-Genius Swaps for Blackened-Barbecue Shrimp Salad with Orange Dream Shakes
You’re about to make this faster, tastier, and with fewer dishes. Basically, I’m here to help you look skilled without doing the most.
Shrimp That Actually Stays Juicy
Shrimp goes from “perfect” to “rubbery apology” in about 45 seconds, so pull it as soon as it turns pink and curls into a loose C-shape. If it’s shaped like a tight O, you’ve entered seafood tire territory. Also, don’t overcrowd the pan—shrimp like personal space more than your cat does.
No Barbecue Glaze? You’ll Survive
If you don’t have barbecue glaze, use whatever BBQ sauce you’ve got and pretend it was the plan. If it’s thick, thin it with a tiny splash of water so it actually coats instead of clumping. This recipe is not a courtroom—your sauce choice will not be cross-examined.
Blackening Seasoning Swaps (a.k.a. Use What’s in the Cabinet)
No blackening seasoning? Cajun seasoning works, taco seasoning works in a pinch, and honestly even a smoky seasoning blend can get you close. Just taste your BBQ sauce first—some are already salty and spicy, and you don’t want your shrimp tasting like it lost a bet. Seasoning should be confident, not aggressive.
The Orange Slices Are Better Warm… but Don’t Babysit Them
Warming the oranges is great, but don’t let them sit in there long enough to turn into sticky orange jerky. A quick warm-up is all you need—think “soft and glossy,” not “caramelized for a cooking show.” The oven is a tool, not a personality test.
Cinnamon Sugar Shortcut That Feels Illegal
If you don’t have cinnamon sugar premixed, just shake cinnamon and sugar over the oranges and move on with your life. The ratio doesn’t need precision—this isn’t chemistry class. If it tastes good, it is correct.
Salad Greens That Won’t Go Limp and Sad
Use sturdier greens if you want leftovers—spring mix is delicious but can get moody in the fridge. Romaine, chopped kale blends, or even shredded cabbage hold up better if you’re meal-prepping. Delicate greens are for people who eat immediately and live chaos-free lives.
Blue Cheese Alternatives for the “I Don’t Do Funk” Crowd
If blue cheese isn’t your thing, swap feta or goat cheese for the same salty-creamy vibe without the locker-room energy. Even shredded cheddar works if that’s what you’ve got—no one’s calling the salad police. Cheese is a support system, not a moral failing.
Dressing Swaps That Still Make It Work
Vidalia onion dressing is great, but any sweet-savory dressing plays nice here—honey mustard, poppy seed, or a simple vinaigrette. If your dressing is super thick, loosen it with a tiny splash of water so it coats better and doesn’t glop. A good salad is dressed, not drowned.
Almond Swaps (and the Nut-Free Escape Plan)
No cinnamon-toasted almonds? Use regular sliced almonds, candied pecans, walnuts, or even sunflower seeds if nuts are a no-go. The point is crunch and a little sweetness, not perfection. Crunch is non-negotiable—texture is half the meal.
Cranberry Swaps When You’re Out
Dried cranberries can be swapped with raisins, chopped dried apricots, or even diced apple for that sweet pop. If you use something super sweet, lean into the tang with a sharper cheese like feta. Balance is the difference between “wow” and “why is this dessert lettuce?”
Make the Shake Without Turning It Into Soup
If you want that thick, milkshake vibe, use frozen orange juice cubes or reduce the ice a bit. If it’s too thick, add a splash more orange juice and blend again—don’t panic and dump in a bunch all at once. You can always thin it out; you can’t un-melt it.
Honey Swap That Won’t Ruin Your Day
Orange blossom honey is lovely, but regular honey works fine, and maple syrup is a solid backup if that’s what you’ve got. Just know maple changes the vibe slightly—more “breakfast energy” than “citrus cream dream.” Sweet is sweet, and we’re not here to gatekeep pantry staples.
Storage That Doesn’t Wreck Tomorrow’s Lunch
Store components separately if you can: salad undressed, shrimp in a container, oranges in another, and dressing on the side. If it’s already dressed, it’ll still be edible tomorrow, but the greens might get soft. Meal prep is just future-you bribing present-you with convenience.
Reheating Shrimp Without Making It Tough
Reheat shrimp gently—10–20 seconds in the microwave, tops, or a quick warm in a skillet off heat after it’s warmed up. Overheating is what makes shrimp chewy, and nobody wants that. Warm is the goal—cooked twice is the enemy.
