Crab Salad Recipe

If you’re craving something cool, creamy, and a little fancy without doing much work, this Crab Salad is your new best friend. That’s pretty much all to making it, in case you would like something quick but good. It’s perfect for summer living lunches, potlucks, or that day when you just don’t want to cook. Best part? It takes less than 15 minutes to whip up.

What is Crab Salad All About?

Crab Salad is a chilled dish that is made with imitation crab meat (or real crab if you are feeling extravagant), mayo, some crunchy veggies, and a few seasonings to tie it all together. It’s creamy, a bit sweet, and mainly refreshing. You can eat it raw, in a sandwich, or scoop it over lettuce. It’s like a seafood version of the classic chicken salad, but cooler.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb imitation crab meat (or real crab, chopped)
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sour cream (optional for extra creaminess)

Veggies & Add-ins:

• ½ cup celery, finely chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional:

• ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or paprika
• ½ cup cooked pasta (if making crab pasta salad)

How to Make Crab Salad

1. Pull-apart crab meat. Shred imitation crab meat into bite-size bits either by hand or using a fork.
2. Chop the veggies. Finely dice the celery and cut the green onions.
3. Toss it all in a bowl. In the bowl, mix crab, vegetables, mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, and dill.
4. Season to taste. Add salt, pepper, and Old Bay if using. Mix until thoroughly incorporated.
5. Chill. Put in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Then serve! Then serve!

Storage Tips

• Store the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container.
• It can stay the same for about 3 days.
• Do not freeze, since mayonnaise does not thaw nicely.

Serving Suggestions

• Pile it into a croissant or sandwich roll
• Spoon over a bed of greens or spinach
• Serve with crackers as an appetizer
• Mix with cooked pasta for a crab pasta salad twist

Pro Tips & Variations

• Swap mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter version
• For some crunch, add chopped-up red bell pepper or cucumber.
• Use real crab meat for a more luxe flavor
• Hot sauce or sriracha can be added for some spiciness.
• Want low carb? Skip the bread and wrap it in lettuce leaves.

FAQs

Can I spice up my crab salad?

For sure! Tease mango with a little hot sauce, cayenne, or diced jalapeños; add just a little at a time.

2. Is imitation crab meat real seafood?

Yes! Imitation crab is made from whitefish, such as pollock, that has been flavored to imitate crab. Cheap and great for this recipe.

3. Can I make this dairy-free?

Definitely–omit the sour cream and use an appropriate amount of mayo or a dairy-free alternative.

4. What can I use instead of dill?

Chopped parsley, chives, or a dash of dried Italian spices go nicely if you’re not a diehard dill lover.

Try it!

This Crab Salad is one of those easy victories that never gets boring, whether you’re packing lunch for yourself or the crowd. It’s a cinch to whip up, tastes great, and is extremely filling. Just try it once, and I’m telling you, you’ll be craving it again and again!