Shrimp Louie Salad Dressing (5 Ingredients)

This fail-proof, 5-ingredient Shrimp Louie Salad Dressing will be your new sauce obsession. Whether you're serving it over a gorgeous seafood salad, on a Shrimp Tartine, or as a secret recipe dipping sauce for your game-time appetizers, this 5-minute recipe will be a winner. 

Shrimp Louie Salad is my dream dinner during the hot months of summer. No matter what side of the Atlantic I find myself, by August, I'm ready for some crisp salads full of fresh flavor and piled high with seafood, garden tomatoes and a rockstar salad dressing. 

Save this easy sauce recipe for your next Sunday meal prep, weeknight dinner, or weekend party with the neighbors. For more dishes that pair perfectly with this salad dressing, check out Shrimp Louie Tartine and Fried Popcorn Shrimp.

This site is all about finding ways to make restaurant-quality seafood dishes at home. The kind of food that gets our entire family asking for seconds and the neighborhood begging for the recipe. Sauces, dips and dressings are a big part of seafood success. If you want to cook seafood with more confidence, I'm so glad you're here! If you're a first-timer, find out more about me and my seafood journey.

This Louie Dressing has become a household favorite and we keep it on regular rotation along with favorite seafood sauces like Cocktail Sauce, Lemon Dill Sauce for Salmon and Mardi Gras Mustard.

Ingredients for classic shrimp Louie salad dressing:

​Mayo: real mayo like Hellman's, Dukes, or your favorite store brand is the only way to go. Sweet mayo or salad dressing style mayo will produce a very different flavor. 

Cocktail Sauce: packed with flavor from garlic, Worcestershire sauce and horseradish, cocktail sauce is our secret weapon to make this dressing a quick and easy recipe. Use my Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe or grab a jar of store-bought!

Dijon: adds to the creaminess and gives a unique savory punch of flavor. 

Hot sauce: optional, but adds a balancing kick of heat to the sauce.

Full ingredient list and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make Shrimp Louie Salad Dressing

Combine mayo, cocktail sauce, Dijon, grated garlic and hot sauce, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep in mind that both the garlic and the horseradish flavors will build as the sauce sits, so season accordingly. Refrigerate until serving. 

To serve, drizzle over your Louie salad with lettuce, medium-boiled eggs, avocados, cherry tomatoes, croutons and pickled onions. Garnish with lemon wedges.

This dressing can also be served with my Shrimp Louie Tartine, or as a dipping sauce for Panko Fried Shrimp, Grilled Shrimp or Popcorn Shrimp. 

What is the difference between Thousand Island Dressing and Louie Salad Dressing?

While both salad dressings offer a similar color, the flavor profile is quite different. Thousand Island is sweet and usually a little chunky with sweet pickles. Louie Salad Dressing offers a more balanced flavor profile, with sweetness balanced by spicy horseradish and savory Dijon. 

What goes in a Shrimp Louie Salad?

Like the French Nicoise Salad, a Louie Salad is flexible and open to variations. My non-negotiables are seafood (usually shrimp or crab), a crispy leaf lettuce, cherry tomatoes, jammy eggs (or hard-boiled eggs), ripe avocado and the Louie Dressing. As optional add-ins, homemade croutons, cucumber, boiled potatoes, grilled green beans or asparagus and pickled red onions are exceptional!

How to store Louie Salad Dressing?

Transfer the creamy dressing into a small jar or airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

Print