If there’s one thing my Louisiana roots taught me, it’s how to make seafood sing. You know I love a recipe that feels fancy but takes no time at all, and this Seafood Crab Salad is it. It’s light, creamy, and full of that fresh crab flavor. I grew up watching my family turn a little seafood into a whole meal. Serve it with crackers, on a sandwich, or straight out the bowl, I won’t judge.
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Growing up I ate this salad a lot. It makes a great appetizer for soul food Sunday dinners and holidays. You can also season it with Cajun seasoning to give it a little kick!
Crab Salad Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Shrimp
- Lump Crab Meat: I use lump crab meat. You can find it in the refrigerated meat section of the grocery store. This recipe is commonly made with imitation crab meat, sometimes called krab meat. You can use that if you wish, it's also sometimes easier to find.
- Celery
- Onions
- Mayo
- Lemon
- Dill
- Old Bay Seasoning
How to Make Crab Salad
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Cook the shrimp. Drizzle a little olive oil into a skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and tender. Sprinkle a pinch of Old Bay seasoning while they cook for that signature flavor. Once done, let them cool, then chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- Prep the veggies. Finely chop the celery and onions. You want them small enough to blend in, but still give that fresh crunch in every bite.
- Combine the seafood. In a large bowl, add the lump crab meat and cooled chopped shrimp. Be gentle with the crab so those beautiful lumps stay intact, that’s the good stuff!
- Mix the dressing. In a separate small bowl, stir together the mayo, lemon juice, dill, and a dash more Old Bay seasoning. Taste and adjust. You want creamy with a little tang and that perfect hint of spice.
- Bring it all together. Pour the dressing over the seafood mixture, then toss in your celery and onions. Gently mix until everything’s well coated.
- Chill and serve. Cover and chill the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, it lets all those flavors marry together. Serve it cold with crackers, on a sandwich, or right out of the bowl if you can’t wait (no judgment here).
Crab Salad Variations or Substitution Ideas
- Avocado
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Mustard (a tablespoon or to taste)
- Bell Peppers
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Pickles
- Bacon
- Grapes
Easy Crab Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ pound raw shrimp Cut into smaller chunks, about an inch.
- ½ pound jumbo lump crab You can use imitation crab if you wish.
- 1 finely chopped celery stalk
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onions
- ½ cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Add more and adjust to taste if neccessary.
- 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped dill
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning Divided into ½ teaspoon portions.
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat with the olive oil.
- When hot, add the shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through until the shrimp turns bright pink.
- Add the crab and ½ teaspoon of the Old Bay Seasoning. Stir.
- Remove the crab and shrimp from the pan and add it to a large mixing bowl along with the mayo, lemon juice, celery, onions, ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir to combine.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)
What to Eat and Pair With the Salad
- Parmesan Cheese Crisps
- Crackers
- Wheat Chips
- Lettuce Wraps
- Fresh veggies like celery, broccoli, or cauliflower
- You can also serve it on bread as sandwiches.
What to Serve with the Salad
Air Fryer Ribs
Keto Smothered Pork Chops
Smothered Chicken
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
Yep, just drain it really well so the salad doesn’t get watery. Fresh or pasteurized lump crab will always give you the best texture and flavor, though.
Sure, if you wish. Imitation crab is processed fish meat. It is seafood and comes from surimi that has been deboned and minced into paste. It does not contain crab. Crab extract is sometimes added for flavor.
Use whichever you wish. You can read more about What Imitation Crab Is here.
If you are looking to make the recipe with no mayo, use plain Greek yogurt, cream cheese, or sour cream instead.
Make sure the shrimp are cooled and patted dry before mixing, and drain the crab meat well. Chill it after mixing so the mayo sets up nice and creamy.
It will last (tightly covered) for 3-4 days.
Once you freeze and thaw it, the mayo separates, the texture turns a little watery, and the shrimp and crab can get soft or rubbery. It just doesn’t hold up the same way fresh.
More Seafood Recipes
Seafood Lasagna
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Crab Rangoon Dip
Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
Seafood Shrimp Pho Soup
Blackened Fish Tacos
Baked Crab Legs
Instant Pot Crab Legs
Air Fryer Crab Legs
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
More Salad Recipes
Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Antipasto Salad
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Keto Low Carb Broccoli Salad
Keto Avocado Tuna Salad
Keto Low Carb Egg Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Breanna Males-Strickland says
This looks amazing!! Can't wait to try it 🙂
staysnatched says
I can't wait to hear what you think!
Lydia says
This turned out amazing. The only thing I will change for me is the amount of mayo. I used light mayo but 1/2 cups was a bit much for me. Other than that it is a great salad.
staysnatched says
I like it really creamy. Thanks for sharing.
Kisha says
This came out better than expected. My mom loves it and asked when will I be making it again.
staysnatched says
I'm glad I could please you!
Judy says
Yes ma’am! Just made it and it is delicious!!! Use fresh crab.
staysnatched says
I love fresh crab!
Emily Wingate says
Accidentally dumped an extra 1-2 tbsp of Old Bay but I’m originally from MD so all was well and the recipe still tasted delicious! Recommend.
staysnatched says
I'm glad it was still good!
essay writing service says
In addition to the fact that seafood is very useful, they are also incredibly delicious, so I often use them to prepare various dishes, but I have not yet prepared such a salad, this will be the first time for me.
Giselle Hernandez says
Made this over the weekend with 1/4 cup mayo and 1/4 cup light sour cream and it was to die for! So amazing, my mom and I devoured the whole thing in less than two days. Ate mine with garlic bread the first day and plain grain toast the next, both were delicious!
staysnatched says
I love that adjustment!
Nina Thames says
This was PHENOMENAL!! I decreased the amount of onion (taste preferrence) by about half, and I used Hellman's light mayo to lower the calorie count a bit since I ate it with homemade tortilla chips lol. It turned out perfect with just the right balance of shrimp and crab. I could eat this on sandwiches or even by itself. Will definitely be making this one again!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Ariel says
This was delicious, I'm back for more recipes! I used a substitute mayo, (no eggs), and it tasted great! Thank you!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Lainie says
I had to prepare this shrimp and crab salad after seeing it in the recipe emailer. Did not disappoint! Another easy and delicious recipe. and super quick. Perfect on a warm day. Seriously upped my salad game!
staysnatched says
Yes! The perfect salad to switch it up!
Tanya says
I loved this so much! Delicious. Easy to make. Great with my air fried tortilla chips.
staysnatched says
Such a great thing to eat with those chips!
Mayah says
Made this exactly as described. It was so easy to make and so so good. I only which I doubled everything so I had more!
Mayah says
Made this exactly as described. It was so easy to make and so so good. I only wish I doubled everything so I had more!
staysnatched says
haha! Next time make more.
tanya says
This will definitely be my go to. Delicious. Easy to make. Great with my air fryer chips.
staysnatched says
Yum! That sounds awesome with air fryer chips.
Janele says
I make this at least once a week. It’s sooo good no matter how you eat it.
staysnatched says
This is a must make salad!
Chene’ says
This was such a tasty, quick weeknight dinner! I am allergic to eggs so I used a vegan Mayo but it was still amazing! Simple, fresh ingredients and it took absolutely no time to put together. For dinner I served it over lettuce and then I ate leftovers for lunch the next day with celery and cucumbers. Definitely recommend.
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!
Rachel says
Made mine with all crab and no shrimp. Also left out dill - personal preference. Was AMAZING 🤩
staysnatched says
Yum!
D Y says
Brandi girl, you outdid yourself with this one! So good!
staysnatched says
haha! Thank you.