Breezy Ocean Harvest: Seafood Salad Recipe to Savor

Summers call for light, refreshing meals that sparkle with ocean-fresh seafood delight salad recipe flavors.

Crisp greens dance beneath a medley of succulent shrimp, tender crab, and delicate scallops.

Each bite promises a cool, zesty adventure that transports you straight to coastal shores.

Fresh herbs and a tangy dressing bring vibrant Mediterranean notes to this elegant dish.

Colorful vegetables add crunch and brightness to the seafood centerpiece.

The combination of textures and flavors makes this salad a perfect lunch or elegant starter.

Dive into this delectable creation that turns an ordinary meal into a gourmet experience.

Ideas to Serve Seafood Salad Beautifully

• Coastal Picnic Platter: Arrange the seafood salad on a large wooden board with crisp lettuce leaves, lemon wedges, and whole wheat crackers for a rustic, beach-inspired presentation.
• Elegant Appetizer Cups: Serve the salad in small clear glass cups or martini glasses, garnishing with a sprinkle of fresh dill and a single shrimp on the rim for an upscale cocktail party feel.
• Sandwich Sensation: Stuff the seafood salad into soft butter croissants or between toasted brioche slices for a luxurious lunch option that highlights the delicate seafood flavors.
• Summer Lunch Plate: Create a light Mediterranean-style plate by placing the seafood salad over mixed greens, accompanied by sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Make-Ahead Tips for Seafood Salad

• Smart Storage Solutions: Seal the seafood salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days, keeping the flavors fresh and ingredients crisp.
• Chilling Strategy: Place the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to maintain optimal temperature and prevent bacterial growth.
• Ingredient Separation Trick: If preparing in advance, store wet and dry ingredients separately to prevent sogginess and maintain the salad's delightful texture.
• Quick Refresh Technique: Before serving leftover salad, gently stir and add a small splash of fresh lemon juice to revive the flavors and restore the zesty brightness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 254 kcal

Servings: 5

What Makes Seafood Salad So Fresh

• Shrimp: Fresh, sweet-flavored protein that adds delightful ocean essence and provides main texture to the salad.
• Imitation Crab: Budget-friendly seafood alternative with mild, delicate flavor that complements the shrimp perfectly.

• Celery: Adds refreshing crispness and light peppery undertone, creating wonderful textural contrast in the salad.
• Red Onion: Introduces sharp, zesty flavor that brightens the overall seafood profile and provides colorful visual appeal.

• Old Bay Seasoning: Classic maritime spice blend that elevates seafood with its signature warm, slightly spicy profile.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, citrusy tang that cuts through richness and enhances seafood's natural sweetness.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning that balances and intensifies all other ingredient flavors.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy binding agent that creates smooth, luxurious dressing and connects all ingredients harmoniously.
• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that adds aromatic, slightly tangy green notes and elegant finishing touch to the salad.

Kitchen Tools for Seafood Salad

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling water and cooking shrimp with plenty of space.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining all salad ingredients and tossing gently.
• Ice Bowl: Needed to quickly cool and stop cooking of shrimp.
• Paper Towels: Great for drying shrimp after cooling.
• Cutting Board: Used for chopping celery, red onion, and dill.
• Sharp Knife: Necessary for precise dicing and chopping of ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of seasonings and lemon juice.
• Colander: Useful for draining shrimp after cooling.

How to Put Together Seafood Salad

• Lemon-Infused Water

Bring a pot of salted water to a gentle boil, adding a quartered lemon to create a fragrant cooking liquid that will enhance the seafood’s flavor.

• Seafood Cooking

Gently drop the shrimp into the bubbling lemon water, watching for a beautiful pink transformation that signals perfect doneness in just moments.

• Cooling Technique

Quickly transfer the cooked shrimp into an ice bath, stopping the cooking process and ensuring a crisp, tender texture for the delicate seafood.

• Flavor Fusion

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled shrimp with imitation crab, crisp celery, zesty red onion, and a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning, creating a harmonious blend of ocean-inspired ingredients.

• Creamy Dressing

Fold in a creamy mayonnaise mixture enhanced with bright lemon juice, creating a silky coating that binds all the ingredients together with a tangy twist.

• Final Touch

Scatter fresh dill across the top, adding a pop of green and herbal aroma. Chill briefly to let the flavors mingle before serving this refreshing coastal-inspired salad.

Cooking Notes for Seafood Salad

• Seafood Salad Cooking Tips & Variations
• Fresh Seafood Selection: Choose plump, firm shrimp with a sweet ocean aroma. Wild-caught varieties offer deeper flavor compared to farm-raised options.
• Texture-Perfect Technique: Avoid overcooking shrimp by watching their color change – they should turn pink and slightly curl, which takes just 1-2 minutes in boiling water.
• Flavor Boosting Alternatives: Swap imitation crab with real lump crab meat for a luxurious upgrade. Add diced cucumber or bell peppers for extra crunch and freshness.
• Spice-Level Adjustments: Enhance Old Bay seasoning with cayenne pepper for heat lovers. Experiment with smoked paprika or Cajun seasoning to create unique regional twists on this classic seafood salad.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad a day in advance to let flavors meld together. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated, allowing the herbs and dressing to develop a more complex taste profile.

Crisp Seafood Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rich Mediterranean seafood delight salad blends fresh shrimp, calamari, and herbs from coastal regions. Crisp ingredients and zesty dressing create a perfect summer meal you’ll savor with Mediterranean flair.

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Ingredients

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• 8 oz (226 g) imitation crab meat, flaked style or sticks cut into slices
• 8 oz (226 g) raw shrimp (51–60 count recommended)
• ½ cup (75 g) finely diced celery
• 3 tbsps (45 g) minced red onion
• 1 ½ tbsps (7 g) chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
• 1 lemon, quartered
• ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 2 tsps lemon juice
• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare Broth: Create a zesty poaching liquid by combining water, salt, and lemon juice in a large pot, establishing a flavorful base for cooking seafood.
2. Cook Seafood: Immerse shrimp in the simmering citrus-infused water, monitoring until they turn pink and appear translucent, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to halt cooking and preserve delicate texture.
3. Drain and Dry: Remove shrimp from ice bath, carefully pat dry with kitchen towels to eliminate excess moisture, ensuring optimal salad consistency.
4. Combine Ingredients: In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine poached shrimp, imitation crab, finely chopped celery, thinly sliced red onion, and fresh dill, creating a harmonious seafood blend.
5. Season and Dress: Drizzle Old Bay seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and mayonnaise over the mixture, gently tossing to coat ingredients evenly without breaking delicate seafood pieces.
6. Enhance Flavor: Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning to personal preference and allowing ingredients to meld for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator.
7. Serve and Garnish: Finish with additional fresh dill sprigs, presenting a vibrant and aromatic seafood salad that promises a delightful culinary experience.

Notes

• Prevent Overcooking Seafood: Watch shrimp closely, removing them from heat the moment they turn pink to maintain tender, juicy texture without becoming rubbery.
• Chill Seafood Quickly: Use an ice bath immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and preserve the delicate protein’s perfect texture and prevent further toughening.
• Drain Thoroughly: Remove all excess moisture from shrimp to prevent a watery salad and ensure the dressing clings perfectly to each ingredient.
• Rest and Blend Flavors: Allow the salad to sit in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before serving, letting the seasonings meld and intensify the overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 254
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 697 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg