35+ Fresh Seafood Salad Recipes (Insalata di Mare)

Last Updated on August 25, 2025 by Sabrina Currie

When the sun beats down and appetites wane, these 35+ fresh seafood salad recipes (Insalata di Mare) deliver the perfect balance of lightness and flavor. Choose from plump shrimp mingled with crunchy bell peppers, chilled lobster paired with sweet corn, or delicate scallops drizzled in a tangy lemon-dill dressing. Smoked salmon and greens with a berry vinaigrette or a Mediterranean tuna salad? It's all here, dive in!

These chilled seafood salads celebrate the bounty of the sea while staying refreshingly cool, ideal for backyard barbecues, poolside lunches, or impromptu picnics. With endless mix-and-match ingredients, from briny olives to crisp cucumbers, you can tailor each dish to your mood. Ready in minutes and requiring minimal heat, seafood salads turn scorching afternoons into delicious, effortless feasts. Love seafood as much as me? Try these awesome Thanksgiving seafood recipes or these great Greek seafood recipes.

Cold Shrimp Salads

Choose from Thai or Tex-Mex, creamy or vinaigrette dressed, classic or Mediterranean. Whatever flavor combo you're craving, there's a seafood salad here for you!

Thai Prawn Salad With Mango And Spot Prawns

Thai prawn salad will be on your table in under 30 minutes. Bright and vibrant with fresh herbs and a Thai style dressing that can be made ahead.

Check out this recipe

Easy Cold Shrimp And Pink Grapefruit Salad Appetizer

Shrimp paired with grapefruit make a simple and fresh appetizer. Citrusy and light, this cold seafood salad pairs tender shrimp with tart grapefruit. Store leftovers in an airtight container for an easy high protein lunch option the next day. Easy to make and ready in under 10 minutes.

Shrimp And Grapefruit Salad

Shrimp Salad Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

Why not roll your salad up?! Lettuce and thinly sliced carrots and cucumber pair up with juicy shrimp in a light rice paper wrapper for seafood salad on the go!

Shrimp Salad Rolls

Grilled Shrimp Salad with Strawberry Poppyseed Vinaigrette

Grilled over medium-high heat, fresh shrimp adds smoky depth to this flavorful meal. Serve with lemon wedges and crisp celery for a little crunch.

Shrimp Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

Greek Shrimp + Artichoke Salad

This tasty Greek salad recipe blends shrimp, artichokes, and red bell pepper with a creamy dill dressing. A printable recipe card makes it easy to recreate.

Greek Shrimp + Artichoke Salad

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Fresh vegetables, orzo, and salad shrimp make this a great side dish or light dinner. For best results, toss the pasta with olive oil while still warm to let the flavor soak in.

Mediterranean Orzo Shrimp Salad

Lightened Up Shrimp Salad

This creamy seafood salad recipe uses simple ingredients like sour cream, Dijon mustard, and fresh dill. Perfect on a hoagie roll or served over a bed of lettuce. Perfect for low carb and keto diets

Shrimp Salad

Air Fryer Shrimp Taco Salad

Crispy air-fried shrimp are layered with fresh vegetables and a creamy dressing. A quick, make-ahead dish for busy nights.

Air Fryer Shrimp Taco Salad

Shrimp Pasta Salad

Transport yourself to the sunny shores of Greece with this vibrant and flavor-packed shrimp pasta salad. It's the epitome of summer, bringing together

Shrimp Pasta Salad

Southwest Shrimp Cobb Salad with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing!

A seafood twist on a classic dish, this salad mixes tender shrimp with avocado, cotija cheese, crisp lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, and a jalapeno ranch creamy dressing.

Shrimp Cobb Salad

Lobster + Scallop Salads

Corn, Tomato + Lobster Salad

Ripe tomatoes, sweet corn, and succulent lobster make this salad the perfect summer dish.

Corn + Lobster Salad

Scallop Salad

Scallops are best when prepared simply, but this scallop salad gives you room to experiment with the balance between hot and cold, sweet and acid. It's ready in just a few minutes too!

Scallop Salad

Light Sea Scallop Salad

Sweet scallops pair up with a few veggies and napa cabbage before being drizzled with a light lemon mayo. This scallop salad makes a great appetizer or light lunch.

Sea Scallop Salad

Cold Crab Salad Recipes

Delicate crab is a natural in salads, especially lighter salads that let the delicate crab meat shine. Try one of these, or fry up these crispy crab cakes to top your favorite green salad.

Spanner Crab Salad w/ Apple and Radish & Brown Butter Emulsion

If you live in blue crab (aka spanner crab) country, this recipe is for you! An elevated crab salad recipe with blue crabs and a nutty emulsion. A seafood lover's dream for special occasions, this is a special recipe with ingredients only available in a few areas.

Spanner Crab Salad

Crab Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing

Fresh buttery lump crab meat and creamy avocado are a match made in heaven. A squeeze of lemon juice enhances the sweet spot of this cold seafood salad in a delicious miso dressing.

Crab Avocado Salad With Miso

Crab Louie Salad

A lighter version of the classic Crab Louie (or Crab Louis), this cold salad layers real crab meat, crisp lettuce, and creamy dressing. A little salt, black pepper, and dried dill creates the best flavor combination for real crab meat.

Crab Louie

Classic Crab Salad Recipe

This classic dish uses imitation crab meat, mayonnaise, and crisp celery. A great recipe for summer picnics or to serve on a hoagie roll.

Classic Crab Salad

Neptune Crab Salad

A creamy base of sour cream and mayonnaise blends with a mix of imitation crab and Alaskan pollock. It tastes just like the grocery store deli favorite! Sweet, flaky imitation crab is coated in a tangy, creamy dressing with hints of paprika, lemon and dill. This is a retro recipe favorite.

Neptune Crab Salad

Hot + Cold Tuna Salads

Healthy French Asparagus And Tuna Salad Without Mayo

Thinly sliced fresh rare tuna over crisp veggies and a runny egg topped with capers and a crazy good French style Nicoise dressing. This salad is a perfect meal any time of year. This serves 2 as a main course or 4 as an appetizer or side salad.

Nicoise Style Tuna + Asparagus Salad

Seared Tuna Niçoise Salad

Another take on this classic dish with simple ingredients that swaps fresh tuna for the original canned tuna.

Seared Tuna Niçoise Salad

Caprese Tuna Salad

A fresh twist with tomato, mozzarella, and tuna in smaller pieces. Perfect for an easy lunch. This healthy salad gets tucked perfectly into a ripe tomato for a sweet presentation.

Caprese Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad With No Mayo - Light & Fresh Lunch!

Made with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or sour cream, this creamy seafood salad recipe is a lighter version of a favorite.

No-Mayo Tuna Salad

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

With lemon juice, olive oil, and crisp celery, this tuna salad has a fresh and milder flavor.

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Greek Tuna Pasta Salad without mayo

A tuna pasta salad with red onion, olives, and feta cheese. this is a great mayo-free make-ahead dish for summer picnics.

Greek Tuna Pasta Salad

Broccoli Salad with Tuna

A mix of tuna and fresh vegetables, apple and shredded cheddar cheese makes this salad a great way to add variety to your week.

Broccoli Tuna Salad

All The Salmon Salads

Hot Smoked Salmon Salad Bowl With Avocado And Berries

A delicious, sweet and savory smoked salmon salad with crisp snap peas and radishes, creamy avocado and berries. Done in under 15 minutes, this makes 4 large salad bowls or 8 appetizer-size salads. (DF, GF)

Smoked Salmon Salad Bowl

Warm Salmon and Arugula Pasta Salad

Warm pasta, salmon, and arugula make this a flavorful meal for cooler nights.

Salmon and Arugula Pasta Salad

Salmon Quinoa Salad with roasted vegetables

A citrusy vinaigrette and creamy avocado elevates this awesome salmon salad. High in protein and full of fresh vegetables and nutty quinoa, this salad is a great option for a healthy lunch.

Salmon Quinoa Salad

Instant Pot Mediterranean Inspired Blackened Salmon Salad

This hearty salad is a full meal on top of Caesar salad. Bold flavors from Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, and lemon juice give salmon the best flavor.

Mediterranean Inspired Blackened Salmon Salad

Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

A creamy pasta salad with smoked salmon, green onions, and a creamy base with the addition of mandarin oranges, celery and capers.

Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

Chilled Seafood Salads From Around The World

I love travelling and these seafood salads remind me of many places I've eaten. Bright and briny octopus salads in Spain, seafood salads studded with chilis in Thailand, spicy ceviche in Mexico and soy sesame poke in Hawaii. Each recipe has its own regional flair-some creamy, some spicy, others citrus-bright and refreshing. Make one of these to surprise your guests or take your tastebuds on a journey.

Mango Kani Salad Recipe (Japanese Crab Salad)

This quick Japanese favorite combines shredded crab sticks, crisp cucumber, and a creamy sesame-mayo dressing. It's a sushi bar staple that balances light crunch with rich, tangy flavor. For a spicier twist, mix in a little sriracha and serve it alongside rice or tucked into bento boxes.

Mango Kani Salad

Mediterranean Octopus Salad

This minimalist octopus salad keeps things wonderfully light with just parsley, onion, lemon juice, and olive oil. The citrusy dressing highlights the natural sweetness of tender octopus without weighing it down. Serve chilled as an elegant starter or as part of a mezze platter for a true Mediterranean experience.

Mediterranean Octopus Salad

Italian Octopus Salad

Tender, subtly sweet octopus pairs beautifully with lemon, parsley, and olive oil in this classic Mediterranean dish. Often served as an antipasto, it's light yet satisfying and showcases the simplicity of Italian coastal cuisine. Add a few boiled potatoes for extra heartiness and serve chilled with crusty bread.

Italian Octopus Salad

Ceviche Mixto

In this refreshing Peruvian dish, shrimp, squid, and fish are marinated in lime juice until perfectly tender, then tossed with onion, tomato, chili, and cilantro. The bright citrus "cooks" the seafood without heat, making it ideal for hot-weather meals. Serve with corn or sweet potato for a traditional twist.

Ceviche Mixto

Tuna Poke (Hawaiian Raw-Tuna Salad) Recipe

Sushi-grade tuna is marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil, then tossed with scallions and sesame seeds for a dish that's as colorful as it is satisfying. Fresh, clean, and customizable with avocado or seaweed, it's a Hawaiian favorite that's taken the world by storm. No cooking required-just chill and enjoy.

Tuna Poke

Russian Crab Salad Recipe

This hearty salad mixes imitation crab with corn, peas, eggs, and mayo for a creamy, comforting dish. Chilled before serving, it's a beloved staple of holiday tables across Eastern Europe. Try it with real crab meat for an elevated twist.

Russian Crab Salad

Thai Glass Noodle Salad

Glass noodles soak up the tangy dressing of lime, fish sauce, and chilies in this vibrant Thai salad. Tossed with shrimp, pork, and fresh herbs, it's spicy, aromatic, and packed with texture. Add roasted peanuts for crunch and enjoy it slightly chilled.

Thai Glass Noodle Salad

Authentic Aguachile de Camarón

This fiery Mexican dish "cooks" raw shrimp in lime juice blended with green chilies, then adds cucumber, onion, and cilantro. Lighter than ceviche but bolder in heat, it's perfect for adventurous eaters. Serve with tortilla chips for scooping.

Aguachile de Camarón

Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Salad On Toast)

A Swedish classic, Toast Skagen layers creamy shrimp salad flavored with dill, lemon, and crème fraîche over buttered toast. Often topped with fish roe, it's elegant yet simple-a perfect appetizer or light lunch. Chill the shrimp mixture before serving for the best flavor.

Swedish Shrimp Salad Toast

FAQ's

From classic crab salad recipes to vibrant shrimp salads with fresh vegetables, there are so many different ways to enjoy seafood. Whether you're packing an easy lunch, planning flavorful meals for hot summer days, or hosting a summer picnic, these salads are versatile, refreshing, and crowd-pleasers for seafood lovers.

More Great Seafood Recipes

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