Italian Seafood Salad Recipe

There's something undeniably elegant about a chilled Italian Seafood Salad served on a warm summer day. With its vibrant mix of tender seafood, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing, this dish is as refreshing as a coastal breeze in Amalfi.

this Recipe

I first fell in love with this salad at a seaside trattoria in Naples. Since then, it’s become my go-to for holidays, dinner parties, and anytime I want to bring a bit of Italy to my table without too much fuss.

The best part? It’s easy, make-ahead friendly, and feels like a gourmet treat – without the restaurant bill. Let’s dive into why you’ll want this Italian classic on repeat all year round.

Why You'll Love This Italian Seafood Salad

Get ready to impress your guests and please your palate. This Italian Seafood Salad checks every box for a crowd-pleasing, stress-free dish.

Light and Flavorful, Yet Satisfying
This salad delivers the best of both worlds. It’s light enough to serve as a starter or side, but with the right portion, it easily stands in as a main course thanks to the hearty mix of shrimp, calamari, and scallops.

Perfect for Entertaining
This is one of those magical recipes that tastes even better after a few hours of marinating. Make it the night before your dinner party, and enjoy a worry-free appetizer while you prep the rest of the meal.

Naturally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free
No special modifications are needed here. The salad is naturally free of gluten and dairy, making it a safe (and flavorful) option for guests with dietary restrictions.

Customizable to Your Seafood Preference
Not a fan of octopus? Swap it for mussels or crab. This salad is endlessly adaptable, so you can cater to your tastes – or what’s fresh at the market.

Whether you're planning a summer feast or a cozy holiday antipasto platter, this seafood salad fits beautifully.

Ingredients Notes

The charm of this Italian Seafood Salad lies in its simplicity – fresh ingredients and a bright dressing do all the heavy lifting.

Shrimp
I use large shrimp, peeled and deveined. They cook quickly and have a firm texture that holds up well after chilling. Be sure not to overcook – as soon as they turn pink, they’re done.

Calamari (Squid)
Cleaned calamari tubes, sliced into rings, bring a lovely chewiness to the salad. A quick 45-second blanch is all you need to keep them tender and not rubbery.

Scallops
Small bay scallops are ideal here – their sweetness and size make them perfect for bite-sized pieces. If you only have sea scallops, just halve or quarter them before cooking.

Octopus or Mussels
This is optional, but if you want to go full traditional Italian, a bit of cooked octopus adds great flavor and texture. Pre-cooked or frozen octopus works fine – just chop into bite-sized chunks.

Lemon, Olive Oil, and Fresh Herbs
The dressing is as simple as it gets: fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and a sprinkle of parsley and oregano. Don’t skip the garlic – it infuses the salad with bold Mediterranean flavor.

You’ll also need a large pot for blanching, an ice bath to stop the cooking, and a big bowl for tossing it all together.

How To Make This Italian Seafood Salad

Creating this Italian Seafood Salad is easier than it looks, and the steps are straightforward.

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. While it's heating, prepare a bowl of ice water – you’ll use this to shock the seafood and stop the cooking process, keeping everything perfectly tender.

Begin with the shrimp. Add them to the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes, or until just pink. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the ice bath immediately.

Next, drop in the calamari rings. These only need about 45 seconds – overcooking turns them rubbery fast. Scoop them out and shock them just like the shrimp.

For the scallops, cook them for 1–2 minutes, depending on their size. Again, transfer straight to the ice bath afterward to preserve their delicate texture.

If you’re including mussels or octopus, make sure they’re already cooked and cleaned. Just slice the octopus into small pieces and remove mussels from their shells.

Once all the seafood is cooked and chilled, drain everything well. You don’t want excess water diluting your dressing.

In a large bowl, combine the seafood with finely chopped celery, red onion, parsley, and minced garlic. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, drizzle with olive oil, and toss gently to coat. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.

Cover and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to let the flavors meld. The longer it sits, the better it gets.

Storage Options

This seafood salad stores beautifully, which makes it perfect for make-ahead entertaining.

Refrigerator:
Store your Italian Seafood Salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days – just give it a gentle stir before serving.

Freezing:
Unfortunately, this dish doesn’t freeze well. The seafood tends to get rubbery, and the texture suffers after thawing.

Reheating:
Skip the reheating. This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so there’s no need to warm it up.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. You can tweak it to suit your preferences, or make it work with what you already have on hand.

Add more seafood:
Want to elevate it even further? Add steamed lobster chunks, crab meat, or even a handful of cooked clams.

Try different herbs:
Fresh dill, basil, or even a touch of mint can offer a different spin on the classic flavor profile.

Include veggies:
Diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or even fennel add beautiful color and extra crunch.

Make it spicy:
Amp up the heat with extra chili flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce in the dressing.

Citrus twist:
Swap out lemon for orange juice and zest for a sweet, aromatic finish that pairs wonderfully with scallops.

Italian Seafood Salad is a dish that brings elegance to any table, yet it’s simple enough to make on a regular day. Don’t be afraid to play around and make it your own – every version has its own coastal Italian charm.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a card layout for your blog!

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