Flavored with pungent fresh ginger, soy sauce and dark sesame oil, Asian Shrimp and Brown Rice Salad is bursting with delicious flavors!

One night, I decided to get a little creative when preparing dinner for Robert, and this Asian Shrimp and Brown Rice Salad was born. It was a busy day, so I was preparing dinner from what we had on hand in the refrigerator/freezer and pantry.

I started with cooked shrimp and brown rice. I don’t always have cabbage on hand, but this day I had some leftover from preparing our Cilantro Peanut Coleslaw (in my cookbook A Well-Seasoned Kitchen®), so I threw some in. Next I added water chestnuts, almonds, green onions and cilantro.

Deciding on an Asian-inspired dressing, I mixed fresh chopped ginger, soy sauce, dark sesame oil and rice vinegar into mayo and sour cream. Well, the resulting dressing is. . . AMAZING. It totally takes this salad from very good to fabulous. And, any leftover dressing is delicious on sandwiches and turkey burgers!

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Asian Shrimp and Brown Rice Salad

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Flavored with pungent fresh ginger, soy sauce and dark sesame oil, Asian Shrimp and Brown Rice Salad is bursting with delicious flavors!

  • Yield: 6 servins 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale
(See gluten-free adaptations in the Notes section at the bottom of the recipe.)

Soy-sesame-ginger dressing

  • 1 3/4 cups mayonnaise
  • 6 tablespoons sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons dark or toasted sesame oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
  • Cayenne pepper, to taste
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Salad

  • 36 (1 pound) medium to large (2025 count) cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined – can chop if desired
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice, cooled completely
  • 3/4 cup shredded cabbage
  • 3/4 cup (8-ounce can) drained, chopped water chestnuts
  • 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 6 tablespoons toasted, coarsely chopped or slivered almonds
  • 6 large green onions, chopped (white, light green and some dark green part)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Soy-sesame-ginger dressing

  1. In medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, ginger and cayenne pepper. Season to taste with kosher salt (may not need any).
  2. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

Salad

  1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together shrimp, rice, cabbage, water chestnuts, cilantro, almonds and green onions.
  2. Stir in spoonfuls of the dressing until desired consistency is reached (you may not need to use all the dressing).
  3. Season with kosher salt and ground pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Gluten free: Substitute gluten-free tamari sauce for soy sauce.

Variation: For a more elegant presentation, serve this salad stuffed into hollowed out large tomato halves.

Make Ahead: Dressing and salad can be assembled separately up to 24 hours in advance, covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before tossing and serving.

  • Author: (From “Fresh Tastes” by Lee Clayton Roper)
  • Category: Main dish salads, quick and easy, easy entertaining, seafood
  • Method: No cook
  • Cuisine: Asian

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About the author

Hi, I'm Lee.

I am inspired by my mother, Sally’s, love of cooking and entertaining to gather friends and family together over great meals and conversation. In fact, I held my first dinner party at the age of 16. Throughout the years, I’ve provided recipes, menu advice and cooking tips to friends seeking uncomplicated and delicious ideas for home entertaining.


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