Crab Salad (Seafood Salad)

Ingredients

For a salad serving 4 people, you will need:

• 200g cooked crab meat (fresh or canned)
• 1 small cucumber, diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small carrot, grated or julienned
• 1 small celery stalk, thinly sliced
• 2–3 spring onions, chopped
• 2–3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt (optional, for extra creaminess)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh dill or parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Lettuce leaves (optional, for serving)

Optional additions: avocado, cherry tomatoes, or boiled eggs can enhance texture and flavor.

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Wash all the vegetables thoroughly. Dice the cucumber and red bell pepper into small, uniform cubes. Grate or julienne the carrot and thinly slice the celery. Chop the spring onions finely. This ensures every bite of the salad has a balanced crunch and flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Crab

If using fresh crab meat, ensure it’s fully cooked, cooled, and picked free of shells. If using canned crab, drain any liquid and gently flake the meat into bite-sized pieces. Handle the crab meat gently to avoid turning it mushy.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (if using), lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Mix until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste. Taste the dressing and adjust acidity or seasoning if needed.

Step 4: Combine the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together the crab meat, prepared vegetables, and dressing. Ensure the crab meat is evenly coated with the dressing, but avoid overmixing, which can break the delicate crab into pieces.

Step 5: Chill (Optional)

For best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for 15–30 minutes. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully, giving the salad a refreshing taste.

Step 6: Serve

Serve the crab salad on a bed of fresh lettuce leaves or in individual bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped dill or parsley for a pop of color and added flavor. Optionally, you can add lemon wedges on the side for an extra zing.

Tips for the Perfect Crab Salad

1. Use fresh crab meat whenever possible; it enhances the flavor compared to canned versions.
2. Keep it light: Avoid overloading the salad with heavy mayonnaise; a balance of mayo and yogurt keeps it creamy but not too rich.
3. Add texture: Ingredients like celery, cucumber, or even a few toasted nuts can add a delightful crunch.
4. Customize: Feel free to include other seafood like shrimp or crab sticks for a more diverse seafood salad.
5. Presentation: Serve in a hollowed-out tomato, avocado half, or on crisp crackers for a fancy appetizer.

Conclusion

Crab Salad is a delightful dish that’s both easy to make and full of flavor. Its combination of tender crab meat, crunchy vegetables, and creamy dressing makes it perfect for warm-weather meals or elegant gatherings. By following these simple steps, you can create a refreshing seafood salad that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

If you want, I can also make a quick, ultra-easy version of this Crab Salad in under 10 minutes with just 5 ingredients for busy days. Do you want me to do that?