Crab Salad is an easy recipe that works great as a side dish or a filler to make a crab salad sandwich. You will love this delicious and easy side dish recipe!
Whenever I am getting remade salads from the deli, my eyes are always drawn to the Seafood Salad and the Crab Salad. They are absolutely delicious, but they are so easy to make at home. I love the simplicity of this recipe and it’s generous creamy dressing.
Thank you for this recipe.rnMy friends and family love itrnEverytime I make it I get requests for the recipernMy 22 year old son even asked for the recipe after he polished off a big bowl!!! ♥️
How to Make Crab Salad
This delicious recipe is so simple to make. First combine the main ingredients. Then make the dressing. I like to taste the dressing before then tossing it with the main ingredients. You can eat it right away or refrigerate it for a few hours to let the flavors combine.
Tips and Tricks
- Use imitation crab. While I typically get dragged for this on Facebook whenever I share my mom’s Crab Pasta Salad, it is such an affordable option and so delicious.
- Use real crab. On the other hand, if you can afford to use real lump crab, it will be fantastic in this recipe. I love to sort through it with a fork to pull out any stray pieces of shell that can sometimes pop up.
- Make your own Old Bay Seasoning. This is a seasoning mix that is very popular in the United States to eat with seafood. If you can’t find it, you can use my recipe for homemade Old Bay Seasoning.
How to Eat Crab Salad
- As a salad side dish. Eat it with a fork as a side dish.
- Eat it in lettuce cups. Serve it in lettuce cups for a great low carb option.
- Make a crab salad sandwich. It makes for a filling lunch that you will really love.
- Use it as a topping on salad greens. Throw in some other vegetables and make it a really healthy lunch option.
Leftovers
This recipe is best when eaten within twenty-four hours of being made. Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and given a stir before serving. I do not recommend freezing this salad.
What to Serve with Crab Salad
If you are putting out a full spread for a get together and this salad is part of it, here are some other great recipes that you will love.
If you make this Crab Salad recipe or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Crab Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces imitation crab meat see note about using real crab meat
- 1/2 small red onion diced small
- 1 celery stalk diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise (I used light)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning learn more about Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1/2 teasoon dry dill
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the crab meat, red onion, and celery.
- In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh dill, and salt. Taste and add pepper to taste.
- Stir the dressing into the main ingredients and serve. This recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days in an air tight container.
Recipe Video
JJ says
Loved your Crab Salad! I did alter a tad. I was out of Old Bay so I used Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning, added a smidgen of Spicy mustard, and a splash of Tabasco – delish! Hubby had it as a sandwich on Brioche bun, chips and dill spear and I had mine on a romaine lettuce leaf with crackers. Perfect light meal for a hot summer day! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Karen says
What to go if using real crab
You follow the recipe as written but replace the imitation crab with real crab.
Suzanne says
I have made this with both lobster and crab together and it was delicious thank you and I will be making more of your recipes
Amber says
This was the first time making an actual recipe with imitation crab. Although I love it, I never know what to really do with it. This recipe used pretty much everything I already had at home minus a few cheap ingredients. This is a very tasty and economical dish. I just toasted my sourdough bread, and it still gave it a nice touch of buttery flavor for a sandwich. Even my dad was like wow this is a repeat performance! I already raved about this to a few of my friends. I look forward to using more of your recipes.
I’m so glad that you liked it, Amber!
Gabi says
Omit the extra salt…Old Bay seasoning has enough salt without adding more to the recipe. Otherwise, delicious!
I love this recipe as is, with kosher salt not table salt, but of course tastes vary.
Michelle says
This is delicious! I added pasta to this and extra dressing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Michelle!
Jeffery G Davis says
I mixed this up for me and my wife. Perfect recipe! Of course you could change some of the ingredients, like Old Bay to Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning, however this is delightful as is. A handful of Ritz Crackers make for a tasty snack. Thanks for sharing your culinary wisdom !
I’m so glad you like it!
Sonia Hamilton says
🇨🇦 I made this salad this morning. I like it, but too much mayo for me, so next time, for personal preference, I will make with half a cup. Otherwise was good, simple and easy to make.
Faye says
Can you use lime juice in place of the lemon juice because I am allergic to lemon
I would go with a white wine vinegar instead. The lime will add a flavor that really won’t work here.
Oneta says
Mix the dressing in the large bowl to save a step of having to use two bowls. Great recipe.