Crab meat is sweet, delicate, and incredibly versatile It’s a fantastic star ingredient that can transform salads from boring to brilliant But with so many salad options out there, it can be tricky to figure out what goes best with fresh crab.
As a seafood lover and amateur chef, I’ve experimented extensively to find the perfect crab and salad combinations. In this article, I’ll share 12 of my all-time favorite crab salad recipes that are sure to impress From refreshing vinaigrettes to crispy greens, there’s something here for every palate
Herbed Crab Salad with Mixed Greens
This simple salad pairs sweet crab meat with lively lemon and fresh herbs. The crab is tossed in a lemony vinaigrette, then served over a bed of crisp mixed greens. I love the combination of flavors and textures here – the herbs and lemon brighten up the rich crab, while the greens add a pleasant crunch. It’s a light and healthy salad that really lets the crab shine.
Suggested greens: Mesclun, arugula, watercress, frisée
Herbs: Chives, tarragon, dill, parsley
Dressing: Olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs
Crab Louie Salad
A West Coast classic, Crab Louie combines crab and iceberg lettuce with fresh vegetables. Traditionally the salad includes crab meat, lettuce, hard boiled egg, tomatoes, avocado, and cucumber. The creamy avocado is a perfect pairing with the sweet crab. And the crunchy vegetables add freshness and texture. It’s all brought together with a bold louie dressing, made creamy with mayo. For me, Crab Louie salad screams summer!
Suggested greens: Iceberg, romaine
Vegetables: Cucumber, tomato, avocado
Dressing: Louie dressing – mayo, ketchup, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce
Crab Cobb Salad
The traditional Cobb salad gets a seafood twist with the addition of crab meat. It contains the usual suspects: lettuce, tomato, bacon, avocado, egg, and blue cheese. The sweet crab and smoky bacon complement each other beautifully. And the creamy avocado and egg offer a delicious textural contrast. Just be sure to go light on the dressing, as the crab is already nicely seasoned.
Suggested greens: Romaine, iceberg
Vegetables: Cucumber, tomato, avocado
Protein: Bacon, hard boiled egg
Cheese: Blue cheese
Dressing: Vinegar, olive oil, herbs
Greek Crab Salad
This is one of my all-time favorites. It combines crab meat with traditional Greek ingredients like cucumber, tomato, olives, and feta cheese. The sweet crab plays perfectly off the briny olives and salty feta. I prefer to serve this salad on a bed of crisp romaine lettuce for added crunch. A red wine vinaigrette brings all the components together. The lemon-herb notes in the dressing pair flawlessly with the crab.
Suggested greens: Romaine lettuce
Vegetables: Cucumber, tomato, onions
Cheese: Feta
Dressing: Red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano
Crab and Mango Salad
For a tropical twist, try pairing crab with fresh mango. The sweetness of the crab matches perfectly with the ripe mango. To make this salad, simply combine the crab with diced mango, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. The lime adds a nice zing. Chili powder can also be added for some heat. Serve it over mixed baby greens for a refreshing meal.
Suggested greens: Baby greens or spinach
Fruit: Mango
Herbs and spices: Cilantro, lime, chili powder
Crab and Grapefruit Salad
Here’s another unexpectedly delicious fruit-crab combination to try. The sweet grapefruit complements the crab perfectly. For this salad, toss the crab with grapefruit sections, avocado, and fresh mint. Then drizzle with a citrusy vinaigrette made with olive oil, champagne vinegar, and mustard. Grapefruit, mint, and crab – it’s an unusual pairing but well worth trying.
Suggested greens: Butter lettuce, Boston lettuce
Fruit: Grapefruit
Herbs: Mint
Dressing: Citrus vinaigrette
Crab Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is traditionally made with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. But crab makes a fantastic addition. The sweet crab meat pairs divinely with the creamy mozzarella, while the tomatoes and basil provide a fresh foil. Simply alternate layers of crab, tomato slices, mozzarella, and basil leaves. Then drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze, and season with salt and pepper. Bellisimo!
Cheese: Fresh mozzarella
Herbs: Basil
Dressing: Olive oil, balsamic glaze
Lemon Dill Crab Salad
Dill is a fantastic herb pairing with crab. Its grassy flavor complements the sweet shellfish beautifully. For this recipe, toss crab meat with lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, and lots of fresh dill. Enjoy it over crisp lettuce or butter lettuce leaves. The lemon brightens up the salad, while the dill provides a lovely herbal note.
Suggested greens: Butter lettuce, bibb lettuce, romaine
Herbs: Dill
Dressing: Lemon juice, olive oil
Creole Crab Salad
For some Southern flair, try making a Creole-style crab salad. Saute bell peppers, onion, celery, and garlic in olive oil. Then add tomato sauce, Creole seasoning, and crab meat. Warm it through gently, then spoon the mixture over mixed greens. Top with avocado slices for creaminess. The smoky Creole seasoning pairs perfectly with the crab.
Suggested greens: Mixed greens, spinach
Vegetables: Bell peppers, onions, celery
Seasoning: Creole or Cajun seasoning
Thai Crab Salad
Asian flavors also pair deliciously with crab meat. For a Thai twist, try combining crab with cucumbers, carrot, cilantro, and mint. Then dress it with a sweet and tangy dressing made with lime juice, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce, and brown sugar. The vibrant Asian flavors are fantastic with the crab. Serve it over shredded napa cabbage or butter lettuce.
Suggested greens: Napa cabbage, Boston lettuce
Vegetables: Cucumber, carrots
Herbs: Cilantro, mint
Dressing: Lime juice, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce
Crab and Quinoa Salad
Looking for something hearty? Then try this protein-packed crab and quinoa salad. Simply combine the crab with cooked quinoa, diced cucumber, grape tomatoes, and fresh parsley. The quinoa adds satisfying texture and nutrients. Dress it with a lemon vinaigrette to tie everything together. It makes for a filling and healthy meal.
Grains: Quinoa
Vegetables: Cucumber, tomato
Herbs: Parsley
Dressing: Lemon vinaigrette
Curried Crab Salad
Curry powder is another fantastic seasoning for crab. Saute onion and celery in olive oil until soft. Add curry powder and let bloom 1 minute. Then gently fold in crab meat just to heat through. Spoon the curried crab over greens and top with mango chutney or raita sauce. The spices and mango are divine with crab. Serve with naan for a hearty meal.
Suggested greens: Spinach, mixed greens
Sauce: Mango chutney, raita
Spices: Curry powder
Crab “Caesar” Salad
Finally, a crab twist on the classic Caesar salad. Make a creamy dressing by whisking Parmesan, anchovies, egg yolk, lemon juice, garlic, and oil. Toss crisp romaine lettuce with the dressing, then top with crab meat and croutons. A squeeze of lemon brightens up the crab even more. It’s like a delicious crab-topped Caesar salad. A diced hard boiled egg or bacon bits also make tasty additions.
Suggested greens: Romaine lettuce
Dressing: Caesar dressing – Parmesan, egg, lemon juice
Toppings: Croutons, egg, bacon bits
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Types of Crab Meat for Crab Salad
- More Fresh Crab Meat: Cook and peel crab legs if you want extra fresh crab meat. You’ll need to give it a little more time, but I can show you 3 fastest ways to cook crab legs!
- Boxed or canned crab meat: There are two types of crab meat that you can buy in a package: claw crab meat and lump crab meat. Claw meat is more shredded and has a brownish tint to it. Because it comes from the crab’s body, lump meat is much whiter and has more meat in each piece. It would taste and feel better if you chose lump crab meat if you go this route.
- Surimi, or fake crab, is a paste that’s usually made from wild Alaskan pollock that has been deboned, washed, and minced. If you’ve never had imitation crab before, it’s made from surimi. Technically, it’s not real crab meat, but the texture is like crab meat flakes, and the taste is much sweeter, which makes this crab salad even better.
How To Make Crab Salad
Make the dressing. Stir the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, paprika, salt and pepper. I recommend making the dressing right away and not ahead of time. If you do, it will start to separate and not be as emulsified.
Stir it all together. Add the crab, celery, and shallot to a large mixing bowl. Stir together with the dressing until everything is fully coated and well-mixed. Then, sprinkle the fresh herbs on top for the final touch!.
CRAB SALAD that’s super easy and a lunchtime favorite!
What to eat with crab salad?
Here’s the short answer. The best dishes to serve with crab salad are zucchini corn fritters, spicy cheese crackers, cucumber lemon orzo salad, and pita chips. You can also serve it with hoagie rolls, grilled avocado, and garlic butter potato skins. For a surf-and-turf twist, go for grilled T-bone steaks. Ready? Let’s jump right in.
What are the ingredients good for making a salad?
A good salad includes vegetables, seeds, some cereal or legumes such as rice, lentils, and chickpeas. It can also include egg and some topping with dressings, honey, and oil, among others.
What goes well with crab?
Pickled capers, vinegar, and lemon add a refreshing, salty tang that pairs well with crab. Step up your grilling game and try cooking this beloved spring veggie over the flames. Topped with bacon and a sherry vinaigrette, your guests will ask for a second helping of this bright side dish.
What are the best side dishes for crab legs?
If you’re in the heat of summer and hoping to prepare a light, refreshing meal, stick with our Spicy Pepper Jelly Coleslaw or the Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta. Sometimes the best side dishes for crab legs also happen to be the best side dishes for crab cakes. That certainly sounds like a way to satisfy all audiences.