Crab Salad Recipe (Seafood Salad)

This light and refreshing Crab Salad Recipe is the perfect appetizer for the seafood lovers around your table.

When the summer months arrive, we start planning big outdoor barbecues. Most people might focus on the meat—and rightfully so—but the meat shouldn’t overshadow your sides. It’s worth it to put some thought into the salads you’re going to serve alongside your burgers, ribs, or chicken.

The standard fare may include things like garden salads, Caesar salads, potato salads, and egg salads, but if you want your contribution to really stand out among the rest, allow us to suggest this crab salad instead. Delicious chunks of crab (or imitation crab!) with low-fat mayo will be a welcome addition to any picnic or barbecue without feeling too heavy.

This recipe is light and fresh, with the celery adding a nice crunchy element. It takes hardly any time to prepare, and it stores easily for a few days. What’s not to love?

Is This Crab Salad Recipe Healthy?

Yes, this salad is relatively low in calories and saturated fat. Imitation crab is relatively similar to real crab from a nutritional standpoint but does contain more sodium, carbs, calories, and additives (it is “imitation,” after all). Both options are low in fat and contain protein. The vegetables— celery and red onion—add some vitamins and minerals. Paprika also contains antioxidants, while lemon juice adds some vitamin C to the mix. Opting for a low-fat mayonnaise keeps the calories (and fat, obviously) in check while still delivering the creamy texture of a good crab salad.

Using Real Vs. Imitation Crab

This crab salad recipe is incredibly flexible—you can use either real crab meat or imitation crab, based on your preferences and budget. Real crab meat is prized for its fresh, saline taste, delivering a briny, slightly creamy flavor. In contrast, imitation crab is made from a paste of finely minced fish (known as surimi in Japanese) like pollock and whiting with other ingredients such as egg whites, sugar, and sodium. It has a milder, slightly sweet taste and a texture designed to mimic real crab meat. While it’s not quite the same as the real thing, imitation crab is an accessible, budget-friendly alternative that still adds plenty of flavor and appeal to this dish.

If you opt for real crab, make sure you’re getting the freshest quality available. Look for meat that’s bright, firm, and free from any unpleasant odor. When purchasing imitation crab, check the packaging and choose a product that has minimal additives. Both options work beautifully in this recipe, so feel free to customize it to your liking without sacrificing the dish’s overall deliciousness.

Serving Suggestions

Given this is called a salad, the obvious choice for what to serve with this recipe is lettuce. But if you like to play by your own rules, we have a few other ideas you can try. For example, this crab salad would be delicious on crostini or a Kaiser roll, perhaps with some sliced avocado on top. If you’re serving the salad as part of an outdoor lunch spread, include a crisp Cucumber-Chickpea Salad, these hearty Superfood Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwiches With Honey-Mustard, and a Watermelon Fruit Salad for something sweet and refreshing. It would also pair nicely alongside a bowl of Instant Pot Tomato Soup or Easy Homemade Crock-Pot Vegetable Soup.

Recipe