Seafood salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that combines the best flavors of the ocean with crisp vegetables and a zesty dressing. Packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, this salad is not only a treat for your taste buds but also a nutritious option for any meal. Whether served as an appetizer, side dish, or light main course, seafood salad is perfect for any occasion. With a combination of shrimp, crab, and other seafood delights, this dish brings together a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more. The key to a great seafood salad lies in the freshness of its ingredients and the balance of flavors in the dressing. This recipe provides an easy and delicious way to prepare a seafood salad that is both visually appealing and incredibly tasty.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup lump crab meat
- ½ cup cooked calamari rings
- ½ cup cooked and chopped scallops
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons capers (optional)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Lettuce leaves for serving (optional)
- Lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Seafood – If the shrimp, scallops, and calamari are not pre-cooked, boil them in salted water for about 2–3 minutes until they are tender. Drain and allow them to cool completely before using them in the salad.
- Chop the Vegetables – Dice the celery, red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes into small, bite-sized pieces. Chop the parsley and slice the olives.
- Make the Dressing – In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and paprika until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, add the shrimp, crab meat, calamari, and scallops. Toss in the chopped celery, red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, olives, and capers if using.
- Add the Dressing – Pour the prepared dressing over the seafood and vegetables. Gently toss everything together until well coated.
- Let it Marinate – Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. For the best taste, let it chill for an hour.
- Serve and Enjoy – Arrange the salad on a bed of lettuce leaves if desired. Garnish with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve chilled and enjoy this flavorful seafood delight.