Food
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are the Different Types of Seafood Salad?

Brandon May
Brandon May

The many salad options that feature fresh seafood are both diverse and unique, combining quality ingredients that increase the nutritional quality of the salad as well as the taste. Fresh lobster, grilled salmon, and canned tuna are common ingredients in a seafood salad. Some seafood salads may be used as a spread for sandwiches, or the fish or other ingredient may be the center piece of the dish resting on a pile of lettuce and other leafy greens. Fresh herbs and spices are also used to compliment the flavor of the seafood, and popular additions like onion, mayonnaise, and egg are also commonly placed in the recipes.

The most common seafood salad, both because of its affordability compared to other fresh and canned fish, as well as its taste, is tuna salad. Fresh tuna can be seared, grilled, pan fried, or baked and then placed over various leafy greens like romaine lettuce, spinach, and arugula. More often than not, canned tuna is used to create a seafood salad which can be used as a spread on bread as sandwiches, even topped with melted cheese, salt, and pepper. The tuna salad sandwich often uses chopped onion, mayonnaise, chopped pickles or relish, and hard boiled eggs as the additional ingredients.

Arugula leaves are often served with tuna.
Arugula leaves are often served with tuna.

Fresh salmon is often used in salad, and is another popular seafood salad dish. Salmon can be seared, baked, fried, or grilled, and usually tops fresh greens. Tomatoes, croutons, and vinaigrette salad dressings often accompany a salmon salad, and act as compliments to the taste of the salmon itself. Sometimes the addition of another seafood, such as shrimp, may also be added and doesn't usually interfere with the flavor of the salmon. The addition of different herbs and spices, like tarragon, dill, and fish seasoning, can bring out the flavor of the dish even more.

Mayonnaise is a common base for a creamy seafood salad.
Mayonnaise is a common base for a creamy seafood salad.

Fresh and cooked lobster meat is also a popular ingredient used in a seafood salad, but not as popular as tuna or salmon due to taste preferences. Diced lobster meat is often placed in a bed of lettuce leaves, with an accompanying creamy dressing. Often the simplest dressing, mayonnaise, is used; however, creamy dressings featuring olive oil, heavy cream, and spices can also be added. Lobster meat can also replace canned tuna in a tuna salad, creating a spread suitable for sandwiches, or one that can be used on crackers as a snack or appetizer.

Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

I don't know why people insist on drowning great seafood in a quart of mayonnaise. You can't even taste the good stuff, anymore!

I had something called a West Indies salad at a seafood restaurant and it was my absolute perfect example of what a good seafood salad should be. It might have had a touch of mayo in it, but it was mostly a vinegar and oil recipe. It's actually a type of ceviche, since the meat isn't cooked, and it is the freshest, most wonderful tasting seafood salad I've ever had. I'd put it up against anyone else's seafood salad. It is so, so good. Fortunately, there are recipes online.

Pippinwhite

Fresh tuna salad might be OK, if the dressing wasn't mayonnaise heavy, but I cannot hack canned fish of any kind. It's just awful. Canned crab is all right when it's cooked, but canned fish? No way. The smell alone is enough to gag me. And then, people put celery and chopped hard-boiled eggs in the tuna salad. I can't think of any foods I hate more than canned tuna, celery, hard-boiled eggs and mayonnaise. Together, it's repulsive.

I could eat a fresh (preferably grilled) tuna salad with a yogurt-based dressing, but the other? Not in a million years. Ever.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Arugula leaves are often served with tuna.
      Arugula leaves are often served with tuna.
    • Mayonnaise is a common base for a creamy seafood salad.
      By: Alexandra
      Mayonnaise is a common base for a creamy seafood salad.
    • Dill is commonly used to season seafood salads.
      By: Viktor
      Dill is commonly used to season seafood salads.
    • Salmon may be included in a seafood salad.
      By: dulsita
      Salmon may be included in a seafood salad.
    • Vinaigrette salad dressings often accompany a salmon salad.
      By: SunnyS
      Vinaigrette salad dressings often accompany a salmon salad.
    • Croutons are frequently added to a seafood salad.
      By: marilyn barbone
      Croutons are frequently added to a seafood salad.
    • Onions are typically chopped and added to seafood salad.
      By: Natika
      Onions are typically chopped and added to seafood salad.
    • Try an Asian-inspired seafood salad with seared tuna, greens, and a ginger vinaigrette.
      By: joesayhello
      Try an Asian-inspired seafood salad with seared tuna, greens, and a ginger vinaigrette.
    • Freshly boiled lobster and prawns are often featured in seafood salads.
      By: vpardi
      Freshly boiled lobster and prawns are often featured in seafood salads.
    • A seafood salad can include various types of seafood in one dish.
      By: Maksim Shebeko
      A seafood salad can include various types of seafood in one dish.