Fresh Seafood Delight Salad Recipe with Lemon and Creamy Dressing

Seafood delight salad combines ocean-fresh ingredients with vibrant, zesty flavors that dance across your palate.

Maritime proteins mingle elegantly with crisp vegetables and tangy dressings.

Each bite promises a refreshing culinary adventure brimming with nutritious elements.

Light and sophisticated, this dish speaks to health-conscious epicureans seeking something extraordinary.

Textures range from delicate to robust, creating a sensory experience that surprises and satisfies.

Mediterranean influences shine through carefully balanced components that showcase marine treasures.

Your taste buds will embark on a delightful journey through coastal-inspired cuisine.

Explore this recipe and unlock a world of delectable maritime magic.

Making the Perfect Seafood Salad

Step 1: Prepare Zesty Boiling Liquid

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Squeeze quarter lemon into the water, dropping the lemon piece directly into the pot. Bring water to a rolling boil, allowing the citrus aroma to infuse the liquid.

Step 2: Cook Succulent Seafood

Gently slide shrimp into the bubbling water. Watch carefully as they transform from grayish to vibrant pink, which typically takes 1-2 minutes. Remove shrimp immediately to prevent overcooking.

Step 3: Shock and Cool Seafood

Prepare a large bowl filled with ice water. Transfer shrimp directly from boiling pot into the icy bath. This sudden temperature change stops the cooking process and helps maintain the shrimp’s tender texture.

Step 4: Dry Seafood Perfectly

Drain shrimp using a colander. Spread clean paper towels on the counter and transfer shrimp onto them. Carefully pat each piece dry, removing all excess moisture.

Step 5: Create Flavor Fusion

• Cooled shrimp
• Imitation crab chunks
• Diced celery
• Minced red onion
• Old Bay seasoning
• Fresh lemon juice
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Creamy mayonnaise
• Chopped fresh dill

Toss ingredients gently to distribute flavors without breaking delicate seafood pieces.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle additional fresh dill on top for a pop of color and extra flavor. Serve chilled immediately or refrigerate for later enjoyment. Best consumed within 24 hours for optimal freshness.

Tips for Seafood Salad

• Infuse Maximum Flavor: Drop a whole quartered lemon into boiling water to create a subtle citrus base that enhances seafood's natural sweetness.
• Prevent Rubbery Shrimp: Watch cooking time carefully, removing shrimp precisely when they turn pink to maintain perfect tenderness and prevent overcooking.
• Master Quick Cooling: Use an ice bath immediately after boiling to stop the cooking process, which locks in moisture and keeps shrimp juicy and delicate.
• Balance Seasoning Technique: Mix Old Bay and lemon juice gradually, tasting as you go to ensure a harmonious blend that doesn't overpower the seafood's delicate flavor.
• Gentle Mixing Trick: Use a folding motion when combining ingredients to keep seafood pieces intact and prevent breaking delicate imitation crab and shrimp chunks.

Storing and Serving Seafood Salad

• Refrigerate: Store the Seafood Delight Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the salad chilled to maintain its freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Prevent Sogginess: Separate wet ingredients from crisp components like celery before storing to preserve texture and prevent the salad from becoming watery.
• Reheat Carefully: Enjoy this salad cold, as reheating seafood can make it tough and rubbery. If desired, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

Best Pairings for Seafood Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the seafood salad's delicate flavors with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, whose bright acidity cuts through the creamy mayonnaise and complements the shrimp's sweetness.
• Serve with Buttery Crackers: Accompany the salad with crisp butter crackers or water crackers, providing a satisfying crunch that contrasts the soft seafood and creates a textural balance.
• Match with Citrus Sparkling Water: Elevate the dish's light, refreshing profile by serving with a cold lemon or lime sparkling water, which echoes the salad's citrusy notes and cleanses the palate between bites.
• Complement with Mixed Green Side Salad: Add a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to introduce additional freshness and provide a verdant backdrop to the seafood medley.

Seafood Salad Variations

• Zesty Seafood Medley: Swap imitation crab with fresh lump crabmeat and add diced mango for a tropical flavor burst. Include a splash of sriracha to give the salad a spicy kick.
• Mediterranean Seafood Salad: Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and olive oil. Incorporate chopped kalamata olives, feta cheese, and fresh oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Cajun Seafood Mix: Add andouille sausage chunks and swap Old Bay seasoning with Cajun spice blend. Include roasted corn kernels and bell peppers for extra texture and Louisiana-style flavor.
• Chilled Seafood Lettuce Wraps: Skip the mayo-based dressing and use a light citrus vinaigrette. Serve the seafood mixture inside crisp butter lettuce leaves for a low-carb, refreshing alternative.

FAQs About Seafood Salad

• How long should I cook the shrimp?

Cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes in boiling lemon water until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make them tough and rubbery.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the seafood salad and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. The flavors will actually blend nicely, but add fresh dill just before serving to maintain its bright taste.

• What can I substitute for imitation crab?

You can use real crab meat, cooked lobster, or additional shrimp as alternatives. Each option will slightly change the salad’s flavor profile but still create a delicious seafood dish.

• Is Old Bay seasoning necessary?

While Old Bay adds a classic seafood flavor, you can substitute with a mix of paprika, celery salt, and black pepper if you don’t have it on hand. The goal is to enhance the seafood’s natural taste.

Seafood Salad Overview

• The combination of lemon-infused shrimp and imitation crab creates a bright, refreshing taste that dances on your palate with oceanic goodness.
• Boiling shrimp in lemon-seasoned water ensures perfect texture every time, making it super easy for home cooks to achieve restaurant-quality results in just minutes.
• Crunchy celery and red onion contrast beautifully with the soft seafood, while creamy mayonnaise brings a luxurious smoothness that ties all the ingredients together perfectly.
• This salad is a protein-packed, light dish that comes together in under 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners or quick lunch preparations.

Ingredients for Seafood Salad

• Shrimp: Sweet and succulent protein that forms the main component of the salad.
• Imitation Crab: Mild-flavored seafood alternative with a delicate texture.

• Celery, Red Onion: Crisp vegetables that add crunch and sharp flavor to the salad.

• Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seafood spice blend with a signature maritime flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that enhances seafood taste and provides acidity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and highlighting overall flavor.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy binding agent that helps bring all ingredients together smoothly.
• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that complements seafood with its light, aromatic notes.
• Lemon: Additional citrus for infusing water and potential garnish, adding fresh zesty undertones.
• Ice Water: Crucial for stopping the cooking process and maintaining shrimp's tender texture.
• Paper Towels: Used for drying seafood to ensure proper dressing adherence.

Seafood Delight Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Mediterranean Seafood Delight Salad brings coastal flavors dancing across your plate with fresh shrimp, tender calamari, and zesty herbs. Fresh ingredients combine elegantly, promising a light, refreshing meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Seafood Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) imitation crab meat, flaked style or sticks cut into slices
• 8 ounces (226 grams) raw shrimp (51–60 count recommended)

Vegetable and Herb Ingredients:

• ½ cup (75 grams) finely diced celery
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) minced red onion
• 1 ½ tablespoons (7 grams) chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
• 1 lemon, quartered

Seasoning and Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and squeeze a quartered lemon into the liquid to create an aromatic broth.
2. Drop the shrimp into the simmering citrus-infused water, monitoring closely until they transform into a vibrant pink hue and become translucent.
3. Quickly transfer the shrimp using a slotted spoon into an ice bath, halting the cooking process and maintaining their delicate texture.
4. Drain the shrimp thoroughly, gently patting them with clean kitchen towels to eliminate excess moisture.
5. In a spacious mixing vessel, gently fold together the cooled shrimp, delicate imitation crab, crisp celery fragments, sharp red onion slivers, and fragrant dill.
6. Drizzle Old Bay seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and creamy mayonnaise over the seafood medley, carefully tossing to ensure each morsel is evenly coated without fragmenting the tender proteins.
7. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
8. For optimal flavor harmony, allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before serving, permitting the ingredients to meld together.
9. Garnish with additional sprigs of fresh dill just before presenting, creating a visually appealing and aromatic seafood composition.

Notes

• Lemon-Infused Seafood Preparation: Boiling water with quartered lemon adds a bright, citrusy flavor that subtly enhances the seafood’s natural sweetness.
• Precision Cooking Technique: Briefly cooking shrimp prevents rubbery texture, ensuring tender, perfectly pink seafood that melts in your mouth.
• Rapid Cooling Method: Immediate ice bath stops the cooking process, locking in moisture and maintaining the shrimp’s delicate texture.
• Seasoning Balance: Old Bay and fresh herbs create a robust flavor profile that complements the mild seafood without overwhelming its natural taste.
• Dressing Harmony: Mayonnaise binds ingredients together, providing a creamy consistency that ties all the salad components into a cohesive dish.
• Serving Flexibility: Enjoy immediately for maximum freshness or chill for a few hours to let flavors meld and develop deeper complexity.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 70mg