Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A vibrant bowl of Italian seafood salad (Insalata di Mare) featuring shrimp, calamari, octopus, celery, bell peppers, and lemon wedges, garnished with fresh parsley.

Italian Seafood Salad (Insalata di Mare)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Italian Seafood Salad, or Insalata di Mare, is a light and refreshing cold salad made with tender seafood, crisp vegetables, and a lemony olive oil dressing. Popular during Italian holidays like Christmas Eve, it’s a zesty, elegant dish perfect as an appetizer or light main course.

  • Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling)
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 300g octopus, cleaned
  • 200g squid (calamari), cleaned and sliced into rings
  • 200g shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 100g mussels or clams (optional)
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook octopus in simmering water until tender (45–60 minutes), then cool in ice water.
  2. Boil calamari rings for 1–2 minutes, then transfer to ice water.
  3. Boil shrimp for 2–3 minutes until pink, then cool in ice water.
  4. If using mussels or clams, steam in white wine until they open, then cool.
  5. Prepare the vegetables: finely slice celery and onion, mince garlic, and chop parsley.
  6. In a bowl or jar, combine olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Whisk or shake well.
  7. Combine seafood and vegetables in a large bowl. Add lemon zest.
  8. Pour over the dressing and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  9. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, to marinate.
  10. Serve chilled, garnished with parsley and lemon slices.

Notes

  • Use fresh seafood for the best flavor and texture.
  • Don’t skip the ice bath—it stops the cooking and keeps seafood tender.
  • Letting the salad marinate overnight improves the flavor dramatically.
  • Optional add-ins include fennel, olives, or capers for variation.
  • Do not freeze this dish—the texture of the seafood will suffer.
  • Author: Clara
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Boiling and Marinating
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Low Fat

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 480mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 140mg