Crab Salad

 

Crab Salad: A Light, Fresh, and Flavorful Classic for Any Occasion

There’s something wonderfully refreshing about a well-made Crab Salad. It’s cool, creamy, and effortlessly elegant—a dish that feels just as at home at a summer picnic as it does on a holiday appetizer table. With tender crab meat, crisp vegetables, and a bright, tangy dressing, crab salad offers the perfect balance of richness and freshness.

Whether you’re craving a quick lunch, planning a potluck dish, or putting together a seafood-inspired dinner spread, this recipe is simple, versatile, and impossible to resist.

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Why You’ll Love This Crab Salad

• Ready in 10 minutes—no cooking required

• Light yet satisfying, great for warm days or healthy meals

• Budget-friendly using imitation crab or luxurious with real crab

• Perfect for sandwiches, croissants, crackers, or lettuce cups

• Customizable so you can adjust crunch, creaminess, and spice

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⭐ Crab Salad Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb imitation crab meat (or real crab, if preferred)

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tbsp sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp red onion, minced

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

• 1 tsp dill, fresh or dried

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Optional mix-ins: corn, cucumber, chives, capers, or diced bell pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Crab

Shred or chop the crab meat into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl.

2. Add the Vegetables

Stir in celery and red onion for crunch and color.

3. Make the Dressing

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

• mayonnaise

• sour cream

• lemon juice

• Old Bay

• dill

• garlic powder

• salt & pepper

4. Combine

Pour the dressing over the crab mixture and stir gently until everything is evenly coated.

5. Chill

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

6. Serve

Serve cold with crackers, in sandwiches, or spooned over fresh greens.

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Variations & Add-Ons

Make It Healthier

• Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo

• Add chopped cucumbers or extra veggies

• Serve in lettuce cups

Make It Zesty

• Add more lemon juice

• Mix in chopped pickles or capers

• Add a splash of hot sauce

Make It Luxurious

• Use fresh lump crab meat

• Add avocado slices

• Sprinkle with fresh chives or parsley

Make It Spicy

• Add diced jalapeños

• Use Cajun seasoning instead of Old Bay

• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper

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Serving Suggestions

Crab salad is wonderfully versatile—try serving it:

• Inside buttered croissants for a deli-style sandwich

• Over a bed of mixed greens with tomatoes and cucumbers

• As a dip with crackers or baguette slices

• Stuffed inside avocado halves

• Rolled into a wrap with lettuce and veggies

• As part of a seafood platter with shrimp and smoked salmon

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Make-Ahead Tips

• Best enjoyed the same day but keeps well for 2–3 days in the fridge

• Stir before serving, as the dressing thickens as it chills

• Add delicate ingredients (like avocado or herbs) right before serving

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A Simple Dish That Never Disappoints

Crab salad is proof that great flavors don’t have to come from complicated recipes. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and a creamy, tangy dressing, you can create a dish that’s consistently delicious, beautifully refreshing, and ready in minutes.

Once you make this version, you’ll want to keep it in your fridge all summer long—or anytime you’re craving something light, quick, and irresistibly flavorful.