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Deli Seafood Salad

Loaded with flavor, tender shrimp and imitation crab meat, this fresh and fabulous deli Seafood Salad is about as good as it gets! Made with wholesome ingredients and plenty of herbs, there’s flavor in every bite of this tasty salad!

closeup of deli seafood salad on a black plate

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This creamy seafood salad ticks all the boxes: it’s flavorful, crunchy, creamy, and loaded with tender seafood. I use imitation crab in this salad. Imitation crab is a wonderful ingredient and very versatile. It’s not fabulous when eaten straight from the package, but as an ingredient, it is terrific.

There’s lots going on in this salad, but don’t worry, it’s not hard to make!

What you’ll love about this Easy Seafood Salad Recipe


  • It’s so easy – Just some chopping, but no cooking required!
  • It is perfect for meal prepping – Make it and eat it over the course of a few days.
  • Light, flavorful, and delicious – It’s great as a side dish, a light lunch, or your main meal.

Ingredients to Make Deli Seafood Salad with Crab

  • Imitation crab – Look for flake-style. See my notes below.
  • Bell pepper – Red, yellow, or green all work in this easy salad recipe.
  • Celery – Fresh celery adds loads of crunch.
  • Red onion – Just a bit for some more flavor!
  • Mayonnaise
  • Lemon juice – Just a wee bit!
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried dill – You can also use fresh dill.
  • Dried chives
  • Fresh parsley – Some chopped parsley sprinkled on top is a lovely garnish.

What is Imitation Crab?

Imitation crab is a natural but processed ingredient. It starts with fresh fish, often pollock, that’s processed, cooked, and enhanced with other ingredients and a bit of color to make it look more crab-like.

It’s low in fat and in calories and a good source of protein. And, it works fabulously in this deli crab salad.

There are several kinds of imitation crab, including:

  • Flake – Chunks of imitation crab that flake easily.
  • Leg style – Formed into crab leg-like tubes, if you use leg-style in this recipe, you’ll need to chop it up.
  • Chunks – Chunks are newer than the other shapes, and will work well in this recipe with minimal chopping.
seafood salad on a yellow plate

How To Make Deli Seafood Salad

  1. Flake or chop the imitation crab and add it to a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Add the sliced bell peppers, sliced celery, red onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried dill, and chives. Mix well.
  3. Top with chopped fresh parsley and a wedge of lemon.
  4. Serve and enjoy!

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • Watch the expiry date on the imitation crab. It has a long shelf life, but you don’t want a package that’s too close to the expiration date.
  • Not a fan of mayonnaise? Split the mayonnaise with sour cream – half and half is a lovely tangy and creamy dressing.
  • Don’t care for dill? Skip it. Use some dried or fresh parsley to the salad instead of dill.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. This salad won’t freeze.

Variations of Imitation Crab Seafood Salad

  • Jazz up this salad with a half cup of salad (baby) shrimp.
  • Spice things up! Add a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder to this recipe to add a bit of heat.

What To Serve With The Best Seafood Salad Recipe

I love eating this salad just as it is for a light meal. Here are some other ideas for how to serve seafood salad:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is seafood salad gluten-free?

If you can find imitation crab that’s gluten-free, then yes, this easy crab salad is gluten-free. Read the labels carefully – many imitation crab products have thickeners in them that have gluten in them.

Is this cold seafood salad easy to make?

Yes! It couldn’t be easier. There’s some chopping, but no cooking! Grab a bowl, mix up your ingredients, and dig in!

Is seafood salad healthy?

If you use low-fat mayonnaise, then yes, this seafood salad is pretty healthy. It’s not super high in carbs, has a reasonable fat content, and not a lot of calories per serving. Dig in!

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Deli seafood salad on a black plate.
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4 from 17 votes

Deli Seafood Salad

Creamy, chunky, and loaded with crisp vegetables, this delightful Deli Seafood Salad is way better than anything store-bought!
Course Salad, Seafood, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword crab, crab salad, deli seafood salad, easy seafood recipe, seafood, seafood salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 162kcal
Author Chef Jenn

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces imitation crab
  • 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup sliced celery
  • 1/4 cup sliced red onion
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon chives dried or fresh
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley optional

Instructions

  • Flake or chop the imitation crab and add it to a medium-sized bowl.
  • Add the sliced bell peppers, sliced celery, sliced red onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried dill, and chives. Mix well.
  • Top with chopped fresh parsley and a wedge of lemon.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • Watch the expiry date on the imitation crab. It has a long shelf life, but you don’t want a package that’s too close to the expiration date.
  • Not a fan of mayonnaise? Split the mayonnaise with sour cream – half and half is a lovely tangy and creamy dressing.
  • Don’t care for dill? Skip it. Use some dried or fresh parsley to the salad instead of dill.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. This salad won’t freeze.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 419mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

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5 thoughts on “Deli Seafood Salad”

  1. 5 stars
    I made your deli seafood salad for a baby shower luncheon that I put on. It was so easy to make and it tasted great. Everyone loved this salad recipe and asked my for the recipe.

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I made this for a fun lunch with my girlfriends. It was an absolute smash hit! I’m glad I doubled the recipe because we didn’t have a bite left. Thanks for a simple recipe that made me look like a kitchen genius. It was delicious!

    Reply

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