The Perfect Italian Seafood Salad Recipe For Sunny Days

Ocean breezes whisper through my kitchen as this vibrant Italian seafood salad dances with Mediterranean flavors.

Crisp vegetables mingle alongside tender morsels of delicate seafood.

Fresh herbs scattered generously bring bright, zesty notes to every bite.

Delightful textures contrast against each other, creating a symphony of coastal ingredients.

Summer memories flood back with each forkful of this light, refreshing dish.

Coastal simplicity meets culinary elegance in this quick and effortless recipe.

Prepare to transport yourself to a sunlit Italian coastal terrace with just one taste.

What Makes Italian Seafood Salad Stand Out

• Whip Up a Quick Gourmet Dish: Impress your guests with a restaurant-quality seafood salad that looks and tastes sophisticated but requires minimal cooking skills.
• Celebrate Versatile Meal Prep: Perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or as a light lunch that can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
• Master Healthy Protein-Packed Eating: Loaded with lean seafood proteins, this recipe offers a nutritious alternative to heavy meat-based dishes while delivering incredible Mediterranean flavors.
• Enjoy Foolproof Cooking Technique: Even novice cooks can master this recipe with simple boiling and steaming methods that guarantee perfectly cooked seafood without complicated techniques.

Ingredients for Italian Seafood Salad

• Shrimp: Classic ocean protein that adds a sweet and tender texture to the salad.
• Scallops: Delicate shellfish with a buttery flavor that complements the other seafood.
• Calamari: Tender squid rings that provide a unique marine taste and interesting texture.
• Mussels: Rich and briny shellfish that contribute depth to the seafood medley.

• Celery, Onion: Crisp vegetables that add crunch and sharp flavor to the salad.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that provides a bright, clean garnish and aromatic finish.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps bind the dressing and add richness.
• Lemon Juice: Citrusy component that brightens the overall flavor profile.
• Vinegar: Tangy element that balances the seafood and adds complexity.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasoning duo that enhances and rounds out the salad's taste.

How to Make Italian Seafood Salad

Step 1: Poach Succulent Seafood

Place shrimp, scallops, and calamari into boiling water.

Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes until they turn opaque and firm.

Quickly drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.

Transfer seafood to a large mixing bowl and let cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare Magnificent Mussels

Add mussels to a steaming basket over simmering water.

Cover and steam until shells open wide, which typically takes 4-5 minutes.

Carefully remove meat from shells, discarding any mussels that remain closed.

Chop mussel meat into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Chop Fresh Crispy Vegetables

Finely dice fresh celery stalks into thin, delicate pieces.

Mince sweet red onions into small, uniform chunks.

Roughly chop vibrant green parsley leaves to release their aromatic essence.

Add all chopped vegetables to seafood bowl.

Step 4: Whisk Zesty Mediterranean Dressing

In a separate container, combine extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, white wine vinegar, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper.

Vigorously whisk ingredients until they form a smooth, well-blended vinaigrette.

Step 5: Combine and Marinate Seafood Delight

Pour dressing over seafood and vegetable mixture.

Gently toss ingredients using soft folding motions to ensure even coating.

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for minimum one hour, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 6: Serve Chilled Seafood Masterpiece

Remove salad from refrigerator just before serving.

Give one final gentle toss.

Transfer to elegant serving platter.

Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

Enjoy this refreshing Mediterranean-inspired seafood sensation.

Tips for Perfect Italian Seafood Salad

• Choose fresh, high-quality seafood from a reputable fishmonger to ensure the best flavor and texture in your salad.
• Watch seafood carefully while boiling to avoid overcooking, which can make it tough and rubbery.
• Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the dressing to penetrate the seafood and enhance overall taste.
• Swap seafood with grilled tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version that maintains the original recipe's zesty dressing.
• Add fresh dill or basil for an extra layer of aromatic flavor that complements the seafood beautifully.

Alternative Versions of Italian Seafood Salad

• Gluten-Free Mediterranean Seafood Salad: Replace traditional ingredients with gluten-free alternatives like tamari instead of vinegar, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Ocean Protein Salad: Swap celery and onions with low-carb vegetables like cucumber and bell peppers to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Vegan Seafood-Inspired Salad: Use hearts of palm, jackfruit, and king oyster mushrooms as seafood replacements, mimicking texture and adding plant-based proteins.
• Spicy Caribbean Seafood Remix: Add scotch bonnet peppers, replace lemon juice with lime, and incorporate fresh cilantro for a vibrant tropical flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions for Italian Seafood Salad

• Coastal Summer Lunch Pairing: Serve alongside crisp white wine like pinot grigio and crusty Italian bread to soak up delicious dressing.
• Elegant Appetizer Presentation: Arrange salad on chilled white plates, garnish with fresh lemon wedges and sprinkle extra chopped parsley for vibrant color contrast.
• Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Create a beautiful appetizer platter with this seafood salad, olives, roasted red peppers, and grilled artichoke hearts for a stunning Mediterranean-style starter.
• Light Dinner Option: Serve over mixed salad greens or baby arugula for a protein-packed, refreshing meal perfect for warm summer evenings.

Storage Tips for Italian Seafood Salad

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep seafood salad chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Not recommended due to seafood's delicate texture. Freezing will break down proteins and make the salad watery and unappetizing.
• Gently warm at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent rubbery seafood texture.
• Add fresh herbs or a splash of lemon juice when serving leftovers to revive the salad's bright flavors and restore its original zesty taste.

FAQs

• Is seafood salad safe to eat raw?

No, always cook seafood thoroughly to prevent foodborne illnesses. Each seafood type in this recipe is properly cooked before mixing.

• Can I substitute different seafood in this recipe?

Yes, you can replace items like scallops with similar seafood like crab or lobster meat. Just ensure they are fresh and cooked correctly.

• How do I know when seafood is fully cooked?

Look for visual signs: shrimp turns pink and curls, calamari becomes opaque and firm, and mussels completely open during steaming.

• What if some mussels don't open during cooking?

Discard any mussels that remain closed after steaming, as they might be dead and unsafe to consume.

Italian Seafood Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Refreshing Italian Seafood Salad blends Mediterranean flavors with tender seafood and crisp vegetables. Fresh herbs and zesty lemon dressing complete this light, elegant dish you’ll want to savor with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 0.5 pounds (226 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 0.5 pounds (226 grams) calamari, cleaned and sliced
• 0.5 pounds (226 grams) mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• 0.5 pounds (226 grams) scallops

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 0.25 cups (59 milliliters) celery, finely chopped
• 0.25 cups (59 milliliters) red onion, finely chopped
• 0.25 cups (59 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 0.25 cups (59 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: garlic
• Optional: capers
• Optional: chili flakes

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Instructions

1. Immerse seafood (shrimp, scallops, calamari) in rapidly boiling water for 2-3 minutes until proteins turn opaque and firm. Immediately transfer to ice bath to halt cooking process.
2. Place mussels in steamer, cook until shells dramatically pop open, approximately 4-5 minutes. Discard any shellfish remaining sealed.
3. Finely chop crisp celery, red onion, and fresh parsley into uniform, delicate pieces.
4. Create vibrant vinaigrette by whisking extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, white wine vinegar, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper until emulsified.
5. Gently fold prepared seafood and chopped vegetables together in expansive mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution.
6. Drizzle zesty vinaigrette over seafood mixture, carefully tossing to coat every morsel without breaking delicate proteins.
7. Refrigerate salad for minimum 60 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify before serving chilled.

Notes

• Always use the freshest seafood available for the most vibrant and authentic flavor profile.
• Avoid overcooking seafood by using a timer and removing from heat immediately when just done to prevent rubbery texture.
• Drain seafood thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to ensure the dressing clings perfectly and doesn’t become watery.
• Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped fresh dill for an extra flavor boost that complements the delicate seafood.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 145
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg