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!
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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.
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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; it mixes better and gives the best texture (see my notes below).
- Bell pepper – Any color works; red is sweeter, green is more savory.
- Celery – Use fresh for crunch; limp celery will make the salad dull.
- Red onion – Use sparingly so it doesn’t overpower the salad.
- Mayonnaise – Use full-fat for the best texture; low-fat can make it watery.
- Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice only; bottled won’t give the same brightness.
- Garlic powder – Use garlic powder, not garlic salt, to keep the seasoning balanced.
- Dried dill – Fresh dill works; use more if swapping since dried is more concentrated.
- Dried chives – Adds mild onion flavor; fresh chives are a safe substitute.
- Fresh parsley – Add just before serving so it stays bright and fresh.
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.
How To Make Deli Seafood Salad
For a list of full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
Flake or chop the imitation crab and add it to a medium sized bowl.
Add the sliced bell peppers, sliced celery, red onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried dill, and chives. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
Top with chopped fresh parsley and a wedge of lemon.
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:
- Serve a large spoonful of it between bread to make a seafood salad sandwich.
- Go wrap-style with lettuce wraps or your favorite tortilla.
- Soup and salad! Try this creamy shrimp soup with your salad, or opt for a brothier soup.
- Serve your salad as a prelude to a larger meal of chicken or pork or this hearty Blackstone Chicken Philly Cheesesteak.
- Enjoy a muffin on the side with your salad – these Strawberry Muffins are delish!
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Yes! It couldn’t be easier. There’s some chopping, but no cooking! Grab a bowl, mix up your ingredients, and dig in!
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!
Deli Seafood Salad
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
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.
