Description

This Classic Crab Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or appetizer. Made with a creamy dressing of mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and paprika, it combines tender crab meat with crunchy celery and shallots, finished with fresh herbs for a bright, zesty finish. Easy to prepare and versatile, this salad can be served immediately or chilled for later.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Dressing

2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

For the Salad

1 pound crab meat (or imitation crab meat), roughly chopped
2 ribs celery, finely diced
2 tablespoons finely diced shallot (or red onion)
1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill)

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Instructions

Make the dressing: Stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
Combine the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the roughly chopped crab meat, finely diced celery, and finely diced shallot. Pour the prepared dressing on top and gently fold all the ingredients together until well combined, being careful not to break up the crab meat too much.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh herbs over the top of the salad as a garnish. You can serve the crab salad immediately or cover and chill it in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor and a refreshing cool dish.

Notes

This recipe works well with both real crab meat and imitation crab meat; choose based on availability and preference.
For added texture, you can include finely diced cucumber or bell peppers.
Serve the crab salad on a bed of leafy greens, in a sandwich, or with crackers for a versatile presentation.
Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reduce sodium, adjust the salt to taste or use low-sodium mayonnaise.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 150g)
Calories: 280
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 550mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 17g
Cholesterol: 65mg