Crab Salad
This is our easy go-to lunch when the weather is hot and you need something cool and crunchy. Crab Salad is a tasty combination of imitation crab, celery, fresh herbs and spices mixed with a light creamy dressing. Squeeze lemon juice over the salad before serving to make it bright and delicious!
It is so much more affordable to make this salad yourself. I know it is easy to grab some at the deli counter as you run through the grocery store, but it costs less and tastes better when you make it yourself with fresh ingredients.
We like this salad because it is light for a summertime lunch and it’s so versatile. You can eat it with fresh greens as a salad, go light and eat it on crackers, or make it into a sandwich by serving it on your favorite bread or stuffed into a pita pocket. Serve Crab Salad with fruit and fresh veggies for a complete meal.
With only a few ingredients you can make the best summer salad for your family. Use imitation crab or real crab when it is available. Both give you a delicious salad, but imitation crab is more affordable and readily available.
Key Ingredients
Imitation Crab– It is actually white fish with real crab mixed into it. It is then formed into sticks or flakes. For this recipe, cut the crab into small bite-size pieces before mixing it with the other ingredients.
Celery– Diced celery or green pepper gives this creamy salad a nice crunch and freshness. Cut it as small as possible for the best results.
Herbs– Use fresh dill for a bright flavor and add chopped chives for a slight onion flavor. I have found that using red onion is too overpowering for this salad. So the chives and dill are just the perfect combination and allow the crab to shine through.
Spices– Old Bay Seasoning and a pinch of salt are the only spices needed. Mix them into the dressing before adding the crab, celery and herbs.
Dressing– It is a simple mixture of light mayo, sour cream and a squeeze of lemon juice. Mix it with the spices before adding the remaining ingredients.
How to make Crab Salad?
- In a medium bowl, add the dressing ingredients and whisk until combined.
- Cut the crab into bite-size pieces and add it to the bowl. Stir in the herbs and refrigerate at least one hour.
- Before serving, sprinkle with more chopped chives and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve with crisp lettuce and a variety of fresh summer vegetables. Recipe makes 4 servings.
Variations and Additions to Crab Salad
Seafood Salad– Add baby shrimp to the salad to turn it into Seafood Salad. This is a great option when trying to feed more people. Increase the amount of dressing when doing this.
Veggies– Celery gives this salad crunchiness, but adding peas, shredded carrots or red pepper will really amp up the crunch factor.
Pasta– Boil 1 cup of uncooked pasta, like bow ties, rotini or elbow macaroni, and add it to the dish to make a delicious Crab Pasta Salad.
More of the Best Summer Salads
- Grilled Corn Salad
- Italian Tortellini Salad
- Strawberry Feta Salad
- Grilled Caesar Salad with Shrimp
- Basil Pesto Pasta Salad
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Crab Salad
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salad:
- 1 pound imitation crab, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1 tablespoon chives, chopped, plus garnish
- 1 tablespoon dill, chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the dressing ingredients and whisk until combined.
- Cut the crab into bite-size pieces and add it to the bowl. Stir in the herbs and refrigerate at least one hour.
- Before serving, sprinkle with more chopped chives and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve with crisp lettuce and a variety of fresh summer vegetables. Recipe makes 4 servings.
Equipment
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 sharp knife
- 1 cutting board