Crab Seafood Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that brings together the natural sweetness of crab meat with a medley of fresh vegetables and herbs. This salad is not only delicious but also light and perfect for a summer meal, a picnic, or as an appetizer for seafood lovers.
Crab Seafood Salad offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures that celebrate the bounty of the sea alongside crisp vegetables and zesty dressing. Whether enjoyed as a light meal, a refreshing side dish, or as part of a seafood feast, this salad brings a taste of coastal goodness to your table. Embrace the freshness of ingredients, balance of flavors, and ease of preparation as you create this flavorful Crab Seafood Salad for yourself, family gatherings, or potluck parties. Enjoy the seafood essence, the crunchy veggies, and the creamy dressing in every delicious bite
Let’s dive into the recipe and explore how to create this delightful Crab Seafood Salad that is sure to impress your taste buds and guests alike.
INGREDIENTS FOR CRAB SEAFOOD SALAD:
- 1 pound lump crab meat, cooked and cleaned
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (scallions)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Old Bay seasoning or seafood seasoning for added flavor
INSTRUCTIONS:
- 1st Step – Ensure that the lump crab meat is cleaned of any shells or cartilage and that the shrimp are cooked, peeled, and deveined. You can use fresh or pre-cooked crab meat and shrimp for convenience.
- 2nd Step – Chop the celery, red bell pepper, cucumber, green onions, and fresh parsley into small, uniform pieces. The combination of colors adds visual appeal to the salad.
- 3rd Step – In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and optional seafood seasoning. Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
- 4th Step – In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the lump crab meat, cooked shrimp, chopped vegetables, and herbs. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- 5th Step – Cover the Crab Seafood Salad with plastic wrap or transfer it to a sealed container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill.
- 6th Step – Once chilled, give the salad a final toss to redistribute the dressing. Serve the Crab Seafood Salad on a bed of lettuce leaves, as a sandwich filling, or alongside crusty bread or crackers. Garnish with additional fresh herbs or a wedge of lemon for a finishing touch.
Recipe Tips:
- Use lump crab meat for its sweet and tender texture, but feel free to substitute with claw meat or a combination based on availability.
- Tail-on cooked shrimp adds visual appeal to the salad, but you can also chop them into bite-sized pieces if preferred.
- Adjust the creamy dressing ingredients (mayonnaise and Greek yogurt) to achieve your desired level of creaminess.
- Add a dash of hot sauce or paprika for a hint of heat and color contrast in the salad.