If you’re searching for a show-stopping centerpiece that’s light, zesty, and absolutely brimming with ocean-fresh goodness, look no further than this Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad! Imagine sweet shrimp and tender crab tossed with crisp veggies and a creamy, herby dressing — all coming together in a dish that feels fancy, yet is a total breeze to pull off. Whether you’re putting together a summer lunch, a laid-back dinner, or planning your next picnic, this salad will thrill seafood lovers and win over salad skeptics alike.

Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk about how a handful of classic, carefully chosen ingredients come together to create something truly special. Each one plays an important role in flavor, texture, or color, so it’s worth seeking out the freshest seafood and snappiest veggies you can find!

Cooked shrimp: Succulent, already peeled and deveined shrimp are the star protein and bring a sweet, briny bite.
Lump crab meat: Tender, chunky crab adds luxury and unmatched depth of flavor; pick through for shells before using.
Celery: Finely diced for irresistible crunch that keeps every bite lively and refreshing.
Red bell pepper: Adds pop and color, along with a subtle sweetness that brightens the seafood.
Red onion: A little goes a long way for gentle sharpness and aromatic lift.
Mayonnaise: Creamy base for the dressing — opt for real mayo for the richest flavor.
Fresh lemon juice: Bright, zesty acidity wakes up every single element of this salad.
Fresh dill: Chopped dill brings a fragrant, herby note that just screams summer on the coast.
Old Bay seasoning: A classic seafood spice blend that delivers warmth, pepper, and just the right salty kick.
Salt: Fine-tunes all the flavors in the bowl; a light hand goes a long way.
Black pepper: A pinch of freshly ground pepper gives the salad a bit of mellow heat.
Mixed salad greens: The perfect fresh, crunchy base for serving and soaking up all that seafood flavor.
Lemon wedges: Brightens every serving and looks so inviting on the plate.

How to Make Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad

Step 1: Prep All Your Ingredients

Chop your celery, red bell pepper, and red onion as finely as you can for the best texture. Make sure your shrimp are peeled and deveined, and give your crab meat a quick pick-over to remove any pesky shells. Having everything ready before you mix makes the process smooth and easy.

Step 2: Mix the Seafood and Veggies

Grab your biggest mixing bowl and combine the shrimp, crab, celery, bell pepper, and onion. Gently toss everything together to distribute the veggies evenly — you want every forkful of your Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad to have a bit of everything!

Step 3: Whisk Up the Creamy Dressing

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice, chopped dill, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper. In just a few seconds, this becomes a velvety, tangy dressing that brings the whole dish to life.

Step 4: Combine and Chill

Pour the dressing over the seafood-and-veggie mixture and gently toss until all the ingredients are beautifully coated. At this point, resist the urge to dig in right away — cover and let the bowl chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step really lets those flavors meld and intensify.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

When ready to serve, spoon the seafood salad generously over a bed of mixed greens. Garnish with lemon wedges for that final citrus burst. Each bite will reward you with cool, crunchy, zesty, and perfectly seasoned seafood bliss.

How to Serve Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad

Garnishes

You can never go wrong with extra fresh dill, more lemon wedges, or a sprinkling of finely sliced green onion. For added color and flair, a dusting of paprika or a few thin slices of radish are lovely.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with crusty bread, garlic crostini, or even a scoop of chilled gazpacho. For an even lighter meal, add a simple side of sliced avocado or a fruit salad bursting with summer flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad in halved avocado boats, atop endive leaves for bite-size party snacks, or even heaped onto toasted brioche buns for a seafood salad sandwich that’s anything but ordinary.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any extra Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay bright and tasty for up to 2 days, though the flavors are best within the first 24 hours.

Freezing

Seafood salads containing mayonnaise and crisp vegetables don’t freeze well, as the texture tends to suffer after thawing. For ultimate freshness, enjoy this salad soon after you prepare it.

Reheating

This Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad is best served chilled or at cool room temperature. There’s no need to reheat; just give it a gentle stir and add extra lemon or herbs if needed before serving.

FAQs

Can I use imitation crab instead of real crab?

Absolutely! Imitation crab is a budget-friendly substitute that still tastes great, making this salad more accessible for anyone craving those sweet, satisfying seafood flavors.

What other seafood can I add?

Feel free to mix in cooked scallops, calamari, or even a handful of finely diced cooked lobster for a truly deluxe version of this salad. Just keep total seafood amounts about the same to maintain the right balance.

How can I make Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad lighter?

You can swap half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier profile, or even try light mayo to shave off some calories without skimping on creaminess.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes, as written, Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad is naturally gluten-free — just make sure your Old Bay and any garnishes are certified gluten-free if sensitivities are a concern.

Can I make this seafood salad the night before?

This salad is perfect for making ahead. Prepare everything a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. Wait to add the salad greens until just before serving for optimal crispness.

Final Thoughts

I hope you feel inspired to whip up this Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad and share it with the people you love! It’s one of those dishes that tastes like a treat but is so easy and rewarding to make at home. Dive in and enjoy every vibrant, ocean-kissed bite!

Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 21 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Fresh and Flavorful Seafood Salad is a delightful mix of cooked shrimp, lump crab meat, and crunchy vegetables tossed in a zesty dressing. It’s perfect for a light and refreshing meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood Salad:

1 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 oz lump crab meat, picked over for shells
1 cup celery, finely diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Serving:

Mixed salad greens for serving
Lemon wedges for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Combine Seafood: In a large mixing bowl, combine shrimp, crab meat, celery, red bell pepper, and red onion.
Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the seafood mixture and gently toss to coat.
Chill: Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
Serve: Serve over mixed salad greens with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

You can substitute imitation crab for a budget-friendly option or add scallops and calamari for a more varied seafood mix.
For a lighter version, replace half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad, Main Course
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American