Description
Succulent crab salad brings together fresh seafood and crisp vegetables in a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish. Clean ocean flavors mingle with zesty herbs, creating a light and refreshing summer meal you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) crab meat, lump or imitation, chopped
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (75 g) celery, finely diced
- ¼ cup (35 g) red bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 tbsps red onion, finely minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning or paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously inspect and clean crab meat, removing shells and cartilage. If using imitation crab, fragment into uniform bite-sized pieces.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper together until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste, creating a vibrant and balanced flavor profile.
- Ingredient Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, combine crab meat, celery, red onion, and parsley. Gently fold ingredients together, maintaining the delicate texture of the crab.
- Flavor Melding: Pour prepared dressing over the crab mixture, carefully folding to ensure even coating without compromising the meat’s tender structure. Ensure every ingredient is gracefully incorporated.
- Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify. Serve thoroughly chilled as a standalone dish, nestled on crisp greens, or tucked into a soft sandwich roll for a refreshing and versatile culinary experience.
Notes
- Preserve Crab Delicacy: Handle crab meat gently to maintain its soft, flaky texture without breaking or mashing the delicate pieces during mixing.
- Balance Dressing Flavors: Adjust mustard, lemon, and seasoning incrementally, tasting as you go to create a harmonious, bright flavor profile that complements the seafood.
- Chill for Maximum Taste: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more integrated flavor complexity.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences while maintaining the salad’s creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg