This Crab Meat Salad is great to bring to a summer BBQ, bridal showers, or other parties when you want to change it up from your typical chicken or potato salad.
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Crab Meat Salad is lemony, refreshing, and packs so much flavor. Not only is this crab salad recipe delicious, but it is also full of protein and nutrients that support a healthy body. Plus it will add a little elegance to any gathering.
To learn more about the health benefits of eating crab, check out Web MD.
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Crab Stuffed Tilapia | Old Bay Crab Dip with Cream Cheese | Seafood Mac and Cheese
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
What We Love About This Easy Crab Salad Recipe
- 10 Minute Recipe: Make this easy crab salad recipe in 10 minutes or less.
- Simple Ingredients: All you need to make this recipe is crab meat, mayo, and some herbs + spices. It will make the perfect crab salad sandwich.
- Adaptable: This recipe can be oil free by swapping out the mayo for a secret ingredient below.
Ingredient Notes
- Crab: For this easy crab salad recipe, you can use real lump crabmeat or imitation crab meat to to be more cost effective. If you are using real crab, real lump crab meat is best.
- Dill: Use dried or fresh dill.
Variations and Substitutions
- Less Oil – To make this recipe oil free and a bit lighter, swap the mayo for plain Greek yogurt.
- Seafood Salad – Additionally add cooked chopped shrimp to this crab cake salad.
How to Make Crab Cake Salad
These are the basic steps for making Crab Meat Salad. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information. Prep time and total time.
STEP 1: MAKE DRESSING
Start by chopping up the red onion and celery, then set aside. Then whisking together mayonnaise, lemon juice, and seasonings in a medium sized bowl.
STEP 2: ADD CRAB
Then add the chopped up crab, it can be real or imitation, to the dressing. Coat and mix until the crab is evenly. Next stir in the diced red onion and celery.
STEP 3: CHILL AND SERVE
Transfer to the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve plain, with toast or on butter lettuce.
Prep and Storage Tips for the Imitation Crab Salad
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Make this recipe 1-3 days ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store leftovers imitation crab salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Freezing is not the best as the mayo will separate as it thaws.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you aren’t a fan of crab, you can use shrimp in place.
Easily double or half this recipe by increasing or decreasing ingredients.
Crab meat salad is made of crab meat (real or imitation), mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery, and some spices.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Double: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Just double ingredients proportionally.
- Short cut tip: If you buy fresh crab you’ll have to cook it and let it cool, if you want to skip this step, use imitation crab or get pre-cook crab.
- Crunch: Add crunchy celery for a little crunch to the salad.
- Herbs: Fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Mustard: Try adding a little dijon mustard to the salad.
What to Serve with Crab Meat Salad
Crab Meat Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice, or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Dried Dill Weed
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1 lb Crab or Imitation Crab
- ¼ cup Diced Red Onion, can use green onions
- 2 Stalks Celery, diced
Instructions
- Start by whisking together mayonnaise, lemon juice, and seasonings in a medium sized bowl.
- Then add the chopped up crab, it can be real or imitation, to the dressing. Mix until the crab is evenly coated in the mayo and lemon juice dressing.
- Next stir in the diced red onion and celery.
- Transfer to the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Serve plain, with toast or on butter lettuce.
Expert Tips
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- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Just double ingredients proportionally.
- Short cut tip: If you buy fresh crab you’ll have to cook it and let it cool, if you want to skip this step, use imitation crab or get pre-cooked crab.
- Crunch: Add crunchy celery for a little crunch to the salad.
- Herbs: Fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Mustard: Try adding a little dijon mustard to the salad.
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