The Freshest Seafood Salad Recipe: A Breezy Summer Delight

Seafood salad brings vibrant oceanic flavors to your plate with minimal kitchen effort.

Fresh, succulent seafood reinvents into a delectable meal that dances between delicate and robust taste profiles.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a light yet satisfying culinary experience that feels both indulgent and nutritious.

Crisp vegetables provide textural contrast against silky seafood, making each bite a delightful exploration of maritime cuisine.

Complex seasonings elevate simple ingredients, awakening your palate with subtle hints of herbs and zesty undertones.

Versatile and adaptable, this dish suits multiple dining scenarios from casual lunches to elegant gatherings.

You’ll fall in love with its effortless preparation and stunning flavor combinations.

Why This Salad Is the Catch of the Day

• Savor Rich Seafood Delight: This seafood salad bursts with luxurious crab meat, delivering a premium protein-packed experience that feels like a gourmet restaurant treat right at home.
• Craft Quick Creamy Texture: Mayonnaise creates a silky, smooth coating that perfectly binds the crab pieces, offering a luscious mouthfeel without complicated preparation techniques.
• Boost Flavor with Classic Seasoning: Old Bay and dill transform simple ingredients into a zesty, aromatic dish that captures coastal culinary traditions with minimal effort and maximum taste excitement.

What You’ll Need for This Coastal Classic

• Crab Meat: Fresh, sweet seafood that forms the base of the salad with delicate flavor and tender texture.

• Celery: Crisp vegetable that provides a refreshing crunch and light, clean taste to the seafood mixture.

• Mayonnaise, Old Bay Seasoning, Dill, Salt, Pepper: Creamy condiment that binds ingredients together with classic seafood seasoning blend, aromatic herb, and essential flavor enhancers for a well-balanced and zesty salad.

How to Mix a Salad That’s Briny, Creamy & Fresh

Step 1: Prepare Crab Meat

Carefully chop the crab meat into small 1/2-inch pieces and transfer to a medium mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add Crisp Celery

Mix in finely chopped celery to introduce a delightful crunch to the seafood salad.

Step 3: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Old Bay seasoning
• Dill
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step 4: Blend Ingredients

Gently stir all components until thoroughly incorporated, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.

Step 5: Chill and Develop Flavors

Let the seafood salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Present the seafood salad chilled. For the best taste and quality, consume within 2 days of preparation. Enjoy as a refreshing appetizer or light meal that captures the essence of coastal cuisine.

Seafood Salad Secrets That Bring Out Big Flavor

• Master Texture Balance: Chop crab meat uniformly to ensure each bite has consistent, delicate seafood pieces throughout the salad.
• Enhance Crunch Strategically: Cut celery into fine, thin pieces to provide a subtle crisp texture without overpowering the delicate crab flavor.
• Season Thoughtfully: Adjust Old Bay and dill proportions carefully to complement the seafood's natural sweetness without masking its subtle taste.
• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow seasonings to meld and develop a more complex, harmonious profile.
• Freshness is Key: Consume within two days and store in an airtight container to maintain optimal taste and prevent seafood from becoming watery or losing its original texture.

Keep It Cool: Storing Tips for Salad Success

• Refrigeration: Store seafood salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Seal the container tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain the salad's crisp texture and flavor.
• Chilling: Keep the seafood salad consistently cold at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth and preserve its quality. Place the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf.
• Reheating: Avoid microwaving this salad as it can make the crab meat tough and mayonnaise separate. Instead, let the salad sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off and restore its original taste and texture.

What to Serve With This Ocean-Inspired Dish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a light, zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the delicate crab meat's sweetness and cut through the creamy mayonnaise.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: Toasted sourdough or rustic baguette slices provide a perfect crunchy base for scooping up the seafood salad, adding texture and absorbing the rich flavors.
• Combine with Fresh Summer Salad: Create a side of mixed greens with cucumber, lemon vinaigrette, and fresh herbs to balance the richness of the seafood salad and add a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Chilled Cucumber Gazpacho: A cool, light soup can elevate the seafood experience, offering a complementary cold dish that enhances the salad's maritime freshness.

Variations That Take It from Coast to Coast

• Spicy Seafood Kick: Replace Old Bay seasoning with sriracha sauce and add finely chopped jalapeños for a zesty, heat-packed version of the classic seafood salad.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, incorporate chopped kalamata olives, fresh oregano, and crumbled feta cheese to give the salad a Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Tropical Seafood Blend: Mix in diced mango, chopped cilantro, and a splash of lime juice to create a vibrant, tropical-style seafood salad with bright, refreshing flavors.
• Herb Garden Remix: Replace dill with a mixture of fresh chopped parsley, chives, and tarragon to elevate the salad's herbal complexity and provide a garden-fresh taste.

Seafood Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean seafood salad combines fresh shrimp, tender calamari, and crisp vegetables in a zesty lemon-herb dressing. Mediterranean coastal flavors dance across your palate, promising a light, refreshing dining experience that transports you to sunny seaside destinations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood Ingredients:

• 14 ounces (397 grams) chopped crab meat

Seasoning and Herbs:

• ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• ½ teaspoon fresh or dried dill
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)

Binding and Texture Ingredients:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1–2 finely chopped celery stalks

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Instructions

1. Finely dice the crab meat into uniform ½-inch (1.27 centimeters) cubes, carefully placing the pieces into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
2. Add crisp, finely chopped celery to the crab meat, providing a delightful textural contrast and subtle vegetable freshness.
3. Measure and pour the mayonnaise into the bowl, ensuring complete coverage of the seafood and vegetable ingredients.
4. Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning and dried dill over the mixture, creating a balanced and aromatic flavor profile.
5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting the quantities to complement the delicate crab meat.
6. Using a soft spatula or folding technique, gently combine all ingredients until each morsel is evenly coated and harmoniously blended.
7. For optimal flavor development, cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes.
8. Before serving, give the seafood salad a gentle stir to redistribute the seasonings and ensure consistent taste throughout.
9. Consume within two days of preparation to maintain peak freshness and prevent potential seafood spoilage.

Notes

• Keep seafood salad chilled in an airtight container to maintain maximum flavor and texture integrity.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for an extra burst of brightness and aromatic complexity.
• Customize seasoning levels by adjusting Old Bay and dill according to personal taste preferences.
• Serve on crisp lettuce leaves or between toasted brioche for an elegant presentation with delightful textural contrast.
• Leftovers transform wonderfully into quick sandwich fillings or atop mixed green salads within 48 hours of preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 355 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 591 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg