This easy crab salad recipe is made with imitation crab, crisp celery, and a simple mayonnaise dressing that comes together in minutes. Cool, creamy, and perfect for warm weather meals, it's the kind of no-fuss recipe you'll keep coming back to.
A true Southern favorite, it's especially good tucked inside a buttery croissant for quick lunches, light dinners, or feeding a crowd without breaking a sweat.
"Saw the recipe, read it, went straight to the store to buy what I needed, came home, made it, and LOVED IT!" ★★★★★ -Martha
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🔍 Quick Look: Creamy Crab Salad
⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Chill Time: 30 minutes (recommended)
👥 Servings: 8
📊 Calories: 319 per serving
🦀 Main Ingredients: Imitation crab, mayonnaise, sour cream, celery, red onion, Old Bay seasoning, dill
❄️ Make Ahead: Yes
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
A note to my reader
Crab salad has always been one of my favorite pick-up and go dishes from the deli. I loved grabbing a container for an easy lunch or afternoon snack, but once I realized how simple it was to make at home, I never looked back. It's just as delicious (maybe better) and costs much less.
During the hot summer months, I find myself craving meals that are cool, light, and easy to throw together without turning on the oven. This creamy crab salad is perfect for those kind of days. I love serving it with Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad and Tomato Cucumber Salad for a classic Southern "Cold Plate."
If you're looking for another way to enjoy imitation crab, be sure to try my Crab Pasta Salad with Homemade Italian Dressing, too. It's another family favorite that's perfect for potlucks and cookouts.
You can also pile this onto crackers for an easy appetizer or snack. I hope you enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
You will need the following ingredients to make this imitation crab salad recipe.
- imitation crab meat- Also called crab flakes or crab sticks will work. The crab flakes are easier to shred and works best for salad.
- mayonnaise- Use real mayonnaise for the best creamy texture. Skip the Miracle Whip.
- sour cream- Adds a slight tang and makes the dressing extra creamy.
- celery- Adds the perfect crunch.
- red onion-Adds sharp flavor. You can substitute with green onion for a milder flavor.
- chives- Adds a light onion flavor. If using green onions, you can skip the chives and use fresh parsley instead.
- Old Bay Seasoning- Classic seafood seasoning that gives this crab salad its signature flavor.
- celery salt- Optional, but gives the crab salad an extra layer of savory flavor. (Check this post out if you want to make your own homemade celery salt!)
- dill- I use dried dill weed, but you can use fresh dill weed.
*Full recipe with measurements is located at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Variation Tip: Make it a Seafood Salad
To turn this into a classic seafood recipe, substitute half of the imitation crab with 1 pound of small, cooked shrimp (chilled). Follow the remaining ingredients and directions as written. This shrimp and crab variation is just as creamy and delicious.
Watch how to make
Steps
Follow these simple steps to make imitation crab salad.
- Shred imitation crab meat and add to a large mixing bowl. You can shred the crab by hand. Or gently shred the imitation crab in a bowl with a hand mixer on low setting.
- Add finely diced celery, red onion, and chives to the crab meat and mix.
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, Old Bay seasoning, and celery salt.
- Add mayonnaise mixture to the crab meat and mix. You can serve immediately, but it is best to chill an hour or more before serving.
How long does crab salad last in the fridge?
Store crab salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
What is Old Bay Seasoning?
Old Bay Seasoning is a spice mix to season seafood. You will find it in the spice section in your grocery store. Or you can make your own Old Bay Seasoning from scratch.
How did your crab salad turn out? Please leave me a comment below if you make this and tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post a picture of your classic salad on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Creamy Crab Salad Recipe with Imitation Crab
Ingredients
- 1 pound imitation crab meat crab flakes or crab legs
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ cup celery finely diced
- 3 tablespoons red onion finely diced
- 2 tablespoons chives finely diced
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dill weed
- ⅕ teaspoon celery salt (optional)
Instructions
- Shred imitation crab meat and add to a large mixing bowl. You can shred the crab by hand. Or gently shred the imitation crab in a bowl with a hand mixer on low setting.1 pound imitation crab meat
- Add finely diced celery, red onion, and chives to the crab meat and mix.½ cup celery, 3 tablespoons red onion, 2 tablespoons chives
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, Old Bay seasoning, and celery salt.⅓ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, ½ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, ½ teaspoon dill weed, ⅕ teaspoon celery salt
- Add mayonnaise dressing to the crab meat and mix. You can serve immediately, but it is best to chill an hour or more before serving.
Jo Monip says
Wonderful flavor and the tight amount of crunch and texture.
Debi says
Has anyone tried this mixed with cooked pasta as a cold dish?
Katie Crenshaw says
I have and it is good. However, I did have to make more of the dressing to mix in so that the pasta wasn't dry.
Lisa glynn says
Added more celery and some Dijon mustard. Delicious!!
Lenora Seaton says
I’ll substitute with Real crabmeat.
Thanx 4 the share.
John Collins says
Yum
Sharon says
Love making this salad came out very tasty, also I added red bell pepper.
Mike says
Love your seasoning mix. If you add mozzarella, and put it in the oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees, it comes out great as a dip or to eat it straight on a plate - Chinese buffet style
NATALIA says
This crab salad was super easy to put together. The ingredients complemented each other perfectly, and the addition of some herbs gave the salad an extra layer of freshness. Thank you for sharing! It's a keeper!
Hayley Dhanecha says
This crab salad was so good, easy and straight forward recipe that enjoyed by family and friends. Thank you 🙂
Loreto and Nicoletta says
This is a great summer salad. Perfect for the backyard barbecue! Love it 😀 😋 ❤️
Ann says
Oh yum! Crab salad is one of my favorites! I think I would end up eating it by the spoonful!
Alex says
I made this crab salad yesterday and it was a hit with everyone! It was my first time using imitation crab, and I was kind of hesitant, but there was no need. Loved it! Thanks so much.
Erin says
I made this salad for a picnic, and everyone enjoyed it! So many people asked for the recipe. Will send them your way. 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe!
Lauren Michael Harris says
This made the perfect summer lunch! The dressing in the salad was light and not overpowering. It allowed the flavors of the crab to stand out. It turned out delicious.
Veronika says
Imitation crab sticks and shrimp salad were two of my favorite things growing up and I love how this salad kind of combines the two familiar flavors for me! So delicious, we served it on a toasted croissant.
Dennis says
I used jumbo lump to make my crab salad and everyone raved about it! Thanks for such a delicious recipe.
Gloria says
I always have imitation crab in the freezer. This salad is just what I need for a birthday bbq party this weekend. The guests are going to love it.
Amy Liu Dong says
This crab salad recipe is so easy and delicious. I made this and my family loves it so much!
Jamie says
Oh my, this salad recipe looks amazingly delicious plus with the addition of crab, it will definitely add more boost! As I said "When I SEA food it makes me hungry!
Martha A Cheves says
Saw the recipe, read it, went straight to the store to but what I needed, came home, made it and LOVED IT!