Crab Salad Ingredients
Here I explain the best ingredients for crab meat salad, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Lump Crab Meat – Some crab salad recipes use imitation crab meat, but real crab meat tastes much better and doesn’t have all the fillers or added sugar. A good option is the chilled cans in the grocery store seafood department — look for “lump crab meat” over other types and drain any excess liquid. If you’re lucky enough to have it, leftover meat from crab legs tastes even better. Celery – Adds a nice crunch. You could also use 1/4 cup of diced carrot or red bell pepper. Red Onion – I used red onion, but you can use shallots or green onion instead if you prefer. Mayonnaise – Makes up the base of the creamy dressing. You can use homemade mayonnaise or store-bought. Greek yogurt would also work as a substitute, but you may want to omit or reduce the lemon juice if you use yogurt. Lemon Juice – Adds tang. You can use bottled lemon juice for convenience, but fresh lemon juice tastes better. Dijon Mustard – Adds a flavorful kick, a hint of acidity, and brightness to the dish. Spices – You’ll need a combination of Old Bay seasoning, sea salt, and pepper. Fresh Herbs – I used fresh dill, fresh chives, and fresh parsley, but this recipe for crab salad works with any other fresh herbs, such as tarragon or basil. I don’t recommend dried herbs here, but if you must, use 1/3 the amount of fresh.
How To Make A Crab Salad
This section shows how to make crab meat salad, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Recipe Variations
Crab Pasta Salad – Add cooked elbow macaroni, penne, or even bow tie pasta to the bowl. For lighter options, try zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles. Rinse the cooked pasta in cold water, pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture, and mix in. (I recommend doubling the dressing if adding pasta.) Make It Spicy – To make this crab salad recipe spicy, try adding a tablespoon of hot sauce, a sprinkling of red pepper flakes, or some chopped jalapeno peppers. You could also use cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, or sriracha to give it a kick. Add Shrimp – Air fry shrimp, cool completely, and mix them into the crab meat mixture. Add Avocado – Dice an avocado and fold it in.
Storage Instructions
This crab salad recipe stores very well, so I love making it ahead! Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the mayo-based dressing will separate. Use a folding motion to avoid breaking up the lumps of crab too much. You want to leave some good-sized chunks of crab for added texture and flavor.
What To Eat With Crab Meat Salad
There are countless ways to enjoy this easy crab salad recipe! Here are some ideas:
Classic Sandwich – Just slather this salad in between slices of bread for crab salad sandwiches! For healthier lighter options, try my almond flour bread, flourless protein bread, or airy cloud bread. Lettuce Wraps – A great way to serve this salad is slathered onto lettuce leaves. I served it in romaine (pictured above), but butter lettuce also works great. Crackers – Use this salad as a dip with your favorite crackers for scooping. For healthy options, try flax seed crackers, buttery almond flour crackers or even cheese crisps. Veggies – You can even use cucumber slices, carrots, celery, or mini peppers as a cracker-like option for dunking into this crab salad recipe. You can also use it to make cucumber subs or a bell pepper sandwich.
More Easy Crab Recipes
Crab makes any meal feel a little more special. Try it in these easy dishes: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
