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A retro classic, this seafood salad recipe has been a staple in delis and on salad bars for decades! The cold crab salad comes together in about 10 minutes for an inexpensive, easy lunch or dinner to prep ahead. Serve it with crackers for scooping, on croissants or crusty bread for sandwiches, or on a bed of leafy greens.
Table of Contents
Love seafood recipes? Try this classic tuna noodle casserole, the perfect 15-minute grilled salmon, our favorite crab roll recipe, Virginia crab imperial, and this crispy Southern fried catfish, too!
How to Make Seafood Salad | 1-Minute Video
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
I’ve loved this vintage seafood salad recipe since I was a child, and here’s why it will soon become one of your favorites, too:
- Versatile. The classic dish is made with imitation crab, which I’ve shown here, but you can also prepare the dish with shrimp, lobster, scallops, or real crabmeat to make it your own.
- Light and Fresh. Similar to a classic chicken salad, the cold crab salad is a perfect light lunch or dinner when the weather is warm and you don’t want a heavy, hot meal. It’s flavorful, satisfying, and full of protein without weighing you down.
- Easy. The recipe comes together in just 10 minutes and can be prepared in advance. So convenient!
Ingredients
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for a classic seafood salad. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Imitation crab: the base of this cold crab salad, “imitation crab” is actually fish! Of course, you can use real crab meat if you prefer.
- Mayonnaise: the dressing for the salad. We prefer Duke’s brand mayonnaise for the best flavor and texture.
- Celery and red onion: for fresh, flavorful crunch.
- Fresh dill: adds bright flavor to the salad and pairs nicely with the seafood.
- Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper: to season the salad. Old Bay is a classic seafood seasoning that includes a blend of herbs and spices like celery salt, red pepper, and paprika.
What is imitation crab?
I use imitation crab in this cold crab salad recipe, since that’s what a classic seafood salad is typically made with. If you prefer other seafood in your salad, I’ve included notes below for possible additions.
Imitation crab meat is also known as “crab sticks,” “krab sticks,” “imitation krab,” and “krab meat.” Most imitation crab today is actually made from Alaska pollock, with crab flavoring added. You can find out more about imitation crabmeat in this Huffington Post article; and while it’s not necessarily the healthiest form of seafood out there, it’s a nice “treat” when you’re craving this classic dish. Plus, it’s far more budget-friendly than real lump crab meat, and it’s easy to find in just about any grocery store!
Directions
Seafood salad is a combination of crab meat, celery, red onion, and dill, all tossed in a salad dressing that’s made with mayonnaise and Old Bay seasoning. While mayo and seafood might sound like an odd pairing, it’s actually a lot like a classic tuna salad. Some combinations just work!
You’ll find detailed instructions in the recipe card below, but here’s a quick version:
- Chop or flake the imitation crab. You can use any variety of imitation crab, including “chunk” or “flake.” Simply break the crab into bite-size pieces or run a knife through it before adding it to a large bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients.
- Stir everything together, season with salt and pepper, and you’re done! Garnish with additional chopped fresh herbs or sliced lemons, if desired.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many different ways to serve this salad as a main course! Here are a few ideas:
- Seafood Salad Sandwich: Toast a hoagie roll, slices of crusty bread, or warm a croissant, add some lettuce, and stuff with the seafood salad. It will be just like your favorite restaurant sub!
- Serve the salad on top of a bed of mixed greens.
- For a grain-free, lower-carb option, hollow out a large ripe tomato and stuff the seafood salad inside.
- Set up a Salad Bar: Pick a few of your favorite deli-style salads to pair with the seafood salad and let your family members assemble their own plates. We love Carrot Raisin Salad, Three Bean Salad, Southern Macaroni Salad, Southern Potato Salad, Classic Pasta Salad, Fruit Salad, Watergate Salad, Snickers Salad, and Coleslaw.
What Goes with Seafood Salad
Here are a few veggies and sides that go well with the seafood salad:
- Green Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette, Caesar Salad, Wedge Salad, or House Salad with Candied Pecans
- 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, Flaky Biscuits, Cheese Biscuits or Drop Biscuits
- Skillet Cornbread, Honey Cornbread, Corn Sticks, Mexican Cornbread or Corn Muffins
- Crusty French Baguette, Soft Dinner Rolls, or Homemade Crescent Rolls
- 3-Ingredient Sour Cream Muffins, Applesauce Pumpkin Muffins or Pumpkin Bread
- Banana Nut Bread
- Blueberry Muffins, Farmhouse Blackberry Muffins, One-Bowl Zucchini Muffins, Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins, Banana Muffins, Morning Glory Muffins, or Strawberry Muffins
- Southern Fried Apples or Baked Apple Slices
- Perfect Oven Roasted Asparagus or Sauteed Asparagus
- 5-Ingredient Easy Cranberry Salad
- 3-Ingredient Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Fruit Salad
- Rice Salad with Corn, Bacon, and Pimentos
- Tomato, Cucumber, and Onion Salad
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Prep ahead: Assemble the seafood salad recipe in advance, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to enjoy.
- Seafood salad will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- I do not recommend freezing this salad. Since the dish includes mayonnaise, it will have an undesirable texture when thawed, and the vegetables will be mushy and watery.
Recipe Variations
- Mixed Seafood Salad Recipe: You can use just about any seafood that you prefer in this dish. Swap out the imitation crab and replace it with shrimp, real crabmeat, or lobster meat. You can also use a combination of seafood — for instance crabmeat and shrimp. Just make sure that you have a total of 1 pound of seafood for the recipe.
- Frozen, thawed peas would be a nice addition to the salad. You might also like to stir in some diced red bell pepper for extra color and sweet crunch.
- Add a dollop of Dijon mustard for a zesty touch, or try a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten it up.
- Stir in some drained capers or sweet relish for a briny, acidic component.
- Seafood Pasta Salad: Cook, drain and cool 1 pound of pasta. Double all of the ingredients except for the crab meat. Combine the cooked, cooled pasta, the crab, and the rest of the (doubled) ingredients for a delicious seafood pasta salad recipe!
Tips for the Best Seafood Salad Recipe
- Mince your red onion into very fine pieces so that you don’t bite into a large chunk of onion in the salad. If you prefer a more mild onion flavor, use chopped green onions instead.
- Use a full-fat, high-quality mayo for the best flavor and texture. We prefer Duke’s mayonnaise.
- Garnish the salad with additional chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley or dill), or with fresh lemon wedges. A squeeze of lemon juice is also a nice finishing touch.
More Seafood Salad Recipes to Try
Aunt Bee’s Shrimp Pasta Salad
50 minutes mins
New England Shrimp Rolls
15 minutes mins
Tuna Pasta Salad
50 minutes mins
Seafood Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces imitation crab
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Break the imitation crab into bite-size chunks or chop with a knife; place in a large bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients and gently toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- Mixed Seafood Salad Recipe: You can use just about any seafood that you prefer in this dish. Swap out the imitation crab and replace it with shrimp, real crabmeat, or lobster meat. You can also use a combination of seafood — for instance crabmeat and shrimp. Just make sure that you have a total of 1 pound of seafood for the recipe.
- Frozen, thawed peas would be a nice addition to the salad.
- Stir in some drained capers for a briny, acidic component.
- Seafood Pasta Salad: Cook, drain and cool 1 pound of pasta. Double all of the ingredients except for the crab meat. Combine the cooked, cooled pasta, the crab, and the rest of the (doubled) ingredients for a delicious seafood pasta salad recipe!
- Mince your red onion into very fine pieces so that you don’t bite into a large chunk of onion in the salad.
- Use a full-fat, high-quality mayo for the best flavor and texture. We prefer Duke’s mayonnaise.
- Garnish the salad with additional chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley or dill), or with fresh lemon wedges. A squeeze of lemon juice is also a nice finishing touch.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in June, 2020. It was updated in April, 2024.
Hi Blair. I was elated when I found your site! Your story touched me and seemed to mirror my own story. At 64 years old,Sicilian woman who became a Dr.in the early 70’s that in itself was a challenge. I then had 6 beautiful bambinos in 10 years. Looking back I can’t believe I didn’t lose my mind! Even having my medical practice,my family came first. All meals were fresh and organic,mostly due to our loving on my familia’s olive farm,outside of Palermo. No grocery stories. It would have been a Godsend to of course to have had the internet back then but to have had your blog to help would have been priceless. My 3 daughters,the youngest is 38 all are professional woman in medicine with bambinos. From the moment I found you,I let them know about you. They’re so busy that since I’m retired now but still doing volunteer work,I go throw your recipes and break them done for them. Between us we’ve easily enjoyed hundreds of your recipes now. Never been disappointed once. And,we are a pretty picky bunch. After seeing this recipe today,I immediately went out and bought fresh shrimp. Impossible to get fresh crab. It reminded me of the salad my Nona made for us when I was growing up. Dukes Mayo. tastes exactly like homemade,which is imperative in a simple salad. I just felt like it was time to acknowledge how wonderful we think you are. Such a blessing. So many grazies Blair for making life so much easier for us all. Take care and please be safe,Robin and familia.❤
Robin! Thank you! You totally made my day. I need to save this note for one of those rough days when I could use a pep talk. Thank you for sharing your story, for trying my recipes, and for sharing them with your family as well. You are a blessing to me, and the reason that I write this blog. ❤️
Blair- Sorry for the spelling mistakes! I couldn’t find my glasses. Part of getting older! Grazie again. Robin.
My daughter really enjoyed the seafood salad and I like to try new recipes.
We’re so glad! Thank you for trying it out.