The Zesty Italian Seafood Salad Recipe Your Guests Will Love

Summers along the Mediterranean coast inspire this vibrant italian seafood salad recipe that captures seaside freshness with every bite.

Ocean-fresh ingredients dance together in a light, zesty combination.

Delicate seafood mingles with crisp vegetables and bright herbs.

Each forkful tells a story of coastal Italian cuisine and culinary tradition.

Tender shrimp, calamari, and mussels create a symphony of maritime flavors.

Colorful and refreshing, this salad promises to transport you to a sunny Italian shoreline.

Why Italian Seafood Salad Is Always a Good Choice

• Quick Seafood Delight: Prepare a restaurant-quality dish in just a few simple steps, perfect for home cooks wanting to impress without complicated techniques.
• Versatile Flavor Powerhouse: Combine multiple seafood types for a protein-packed salad that offers rich, complementary tastes and textures in every bite.
• Healthy Mediterranean Twist: Packed with lean proteins, fresh herbs, and light dressing, this recipe delivers a nutritious meal that feels indulgent yet clean and refreshing.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Easily prepare in advance and let the flavors meld in the refrigerator, making it ideal for dinner parties or meal prep without last-minute cooking stress.

Key Ingredients for a Classic Italian Seafood Salad

• Shrimp: Tender pink seafood that adds a sweet and delicate flavor to the salad.
• Calamari Rings: Soft and mild-flavored rings that provide a classic Mediterranean seafood texture.
• Scallops: Delicate and buttery seafood that brings a rich, oceanic taste to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Vinegar: Fresh and zesty combination that creates a bright and tangy marinade.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and pungent flavor to the seafood salad.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

• Parsley, Celery, Red Onion: Crisp and fresh vegetables that provide crunch, color, and additional layers of flavor to the seafood salad.

Simple Steps to Prepare Italian Seafood Salad

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Water

Fill a large pot with water and add salt.

Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 2: Cook Shrimp

Carefully drop shrimp into the boiling water.

Cook until they turn bright pink, which takes about 2 minutes.

Remove shrimp using a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate to cool.

Step 3: Poach Calamari Rings

Gently lower calamari rings into the same boiling water.

Cook for precisely 1 minute to prevent toughening.

Transfer rings to the plate with shrimp.

Step 4: Prepare Scallops

Slide scallops into the boiling water.

Cook until they become completely opaque and slightly firm, approximately 2-3 minutes.

Remove and let cool with other seafood.

Step 5: Create Zesty Marinade

• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• White wine vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk ingredients until well blended.

Step 6: Combine Seafood and Vegetables

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Diced celery
• Thinly sliced red onion

Step 7: Marinate and Chill

Gently toss all ingredients to ensure even coating.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.

Serve chilled and enjoy your refreshing Italian seafood salad.

Pro Tips for Seafood Salad Success

• Immediately place cooked seafood in ice water to stop cooking and maintain tender texture.
• Watch seafood closely while cooking; overcooking makes it tough and rubbery.
• Let salad marinate longer for deeper, more intense taste – up to 2 hours is ideal.
• Use the freshest seafood possible for best results and authentic Italian taste.
• Adjust lemon juice and vinegar proportions to suit your personal flavor preference.

Flavor Variations for Italian Seafood Salad

• Mediterranean Herb Boost: Replace parsley with fresh dill and add chopped oregano for an enhanced Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Ocean Edition: Swap red onion and celery with crisp cucumber and bell peppers to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining crunch.
• Spicy Coastal Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños and replace vinegar with lime juice for a zesty, spicy seafood salad that brings heat and brightness.
• Protein-Packed Sea Medley: Add cooked white fish like cod or halibut alongside existing seafood to increase protein content and provide more variety in texture and taste.

Serving Up Italian Seafood Salad with Style

• Mediterranean Platter Pairing: Serve alongside grilled pita bread, hummus, and olives for a complete Mediterranean-style feast that elevates the seafood salad's flavors.
• Elegant Appetizer Presentation: Arrange the salad on a bed of crisp mixed greens, garnish with lemon wedges and fresh parsley sprigs to create a restaurant-worthy starter.
• Wine and Dining Companion: Pair with a chilled white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the delicate seafood and bright citrus notes of the dish.
• Summer Picnic Option: Pack in a sealed container for a refreshing outdoor meal, perfect for beach trips or al fresco dining with friends and family.

How to Store Seafood Salad for Later

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Seal tightly to prevent seafood from absorbing other food odors and maintain freshness.
• Carefully place salad in freezer-safe container, cover completely. Can be frozen for maximum 1 month. Seafood texture might slightly change upon thawing.
• Gently warm at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwave to prevent seafood becoming rubbery or tough.
• Consume cold or at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture. Drain excess marinade before serving to prevent soggy consistency.

FAQs

• Is this dish suitable for people with seafood allergies?

No, this recipe contains multiple types of seafood including shrimp, calamari, and scallops, making it unsafe for those with seafood allergies.

• Can I use frozen seafood for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen seafood, but ensure it’s completely thawed and patted dry before cooking to prevent excess water and ensure proper texture.

• How long can I keep this seafood salad in the refrigerator?

The seafood salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but it’s best consumed within 24 hours for optimal freshness and flavor.

Italian Seafood Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 21 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Mediterranean charm sparkles in this Italian seafood salad, blending fresh ocean treasures with zesty herbs and crisp vegetables. Delicate shrimp, tender calamari, and succulent mussels dance together, inviting you to savor coastal Italian flavors in one refreshing dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 0.5 pound (226.8 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 0.5 pound (226.8 grams) calamari, cleaned and sliced into rings
• 0.5 pound (226.8 grams) scallops

Dressing and Aromatics:

• 0.25 cup (59 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (44 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) red wine vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 cup (14 grams) chopped fresh parsley

Vegetables:

• 0.25 cup (37 grams) chopped celery
• 0.25 cup (40 grams) chopped red onion
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil at high heat.
2. Submerge shrimp into the boiling water, cooking precisely for 2 minutes until they transform into a vibrant pink hue, then swiftly extract and reserve.
3. Immerse calamari rings into the same boiling liquid, allowing them to cook for exactly 1 minute before removing and setting aside.
4. Gently lower scallops into the water, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they become completely opaque, then transfer to a cooling area.
5. Create a zesty marinade by vigorously whisking together olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, tangy vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and cracked black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
6. Carefully combine the perfectly cooked seafood with finely chopped parsley, crisp celery, and thinly sliced red onion, folding them into the prepared marinade.
7. Delicately toss the ingredients, ensuring an even coating of the dressing, then refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.

Notes

• Timing is crucial when cooking seafood to prevent overcooking, which can make it tough and rubbery.
• Use the freshest seafood possible for the most vibrant and authentic flavor profile.
• Chill the seafood completely before mixing to enhance the salad’s refreshing taste and texture.
• Adjust marinating time based on personal preference, but don’t exceed 2 hours to maintain seafood’s delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 346
• Sugar: 0.3 g
• Sodium: 330 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg