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    Home > Salads

    Creamy Crab Salad Recipe (That Tastes Like Summer!)

    Published: May 30, 2025 · Modified: May 30, 2025 by Valya's Taste of Home · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cremy crab salad recipe is fresh, crunchy, and bursting with coastal flavor. This easy dish is your new go-to for quick lunches, light dinners, or impressive appetizers. Made with tender crab meat, crunchy cucumbers, and a tangy mayo-based dressing, it comes together in minutes and tastes like something straight off a seaside menu.

    This easy Crab Salad Recipe is made of crab meat, mixed with delicious, chopped veggies, and all tossed in a creamy mayonnaise dressing. Learn how to make it here!
    Table of Contents
    • What is a Crab Salad Recipe?
    • What is Imitation Crab?
    • Key Ingredients
    • How to Make Crab Salad Recipe
    • How to Serve Crab Salad Recipe
    • How to Customize Crab Salad Recipe
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • How to Store Leftovers
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Recipes You'll Enjoy
    • Recipe Card
    • Creamy Crab Salad Recipe (That Tastes Like Summer!)
    • Comments

    It’s a great salad to have with some buttery crackers on the side or served on a bed of lettuce. Serve it as a sandwich, or enjoy it on its own; this salad is absolutely to die for!

    What is a Crab Salad Recipe?

    Crab salad (seafood salad) is a delicious, easy-to-make salad that’s a mixture of crab meat, shredded cabbage, cooked corn, chopped green onions, and cucumbers with a mayo-based dressing.

    It’s packed with protein and is low in sodium, calories, as well as cholesterol! Plus, it’s a great way to get some good carbohydrates in the system.

    This salad has an exquisite flavor and serves as the perfect side dish. You can make this salad with either real crab meat or imitation crab meat (krab).

    What is Imitation Crab?

    Imitation crab (krab) is made from surimi, which is fish flesh (usually pollock) that has been washed, deboned, chopped, and turned into a paste.

    This paste is then combined with other ingredients, heated, and shaped into sticks and flakes.

    Imitation crab typically contains no crab, but it is made from seafood and is designed to taste like crab.

    Key Ingredients

    All you need are some simple ingredients to make this beautiful salad. Here’s what you’ll need to make this crab salad recipe at home:

    • Crabmeat: First of all, you’ll need the star ingredient of this dish: crab meat! You can go for either real crab meat or imitation crab meat, whichever you prefer.
    • Green cabbage: Shredded cabbage adds a delicious crunch to the salad and gives it a delicious flavor.
    • Canned corn: The sweetness from the corn perfectly complements all the other ingredients in this salad.
    • Green onion: For a slightly sharp flavor, we’ll also be adding in some green onions.
    • English cucumber: Cucumbers make this salad so light and refreshing! We’ll be adding some English cucumbers since they’re either seedless or have very small seeds.
    All you need are some simple ingredients to make this beautiful salad.
    • Mayonnaise: To bring it all together, we’ll be adding some mayo to the salad as the dressing. You can use whichever brand you like the most. I used Homemade Mayonnaise while making this salad.
    • Seasonings: We’ll also be needing some salt and black pepper to taste. You can add about a half teaspoon salt and pepper.
    Crab Salad Recipe

    How to Make Crab Salad Recipe

    This is an incredibly easy salad to make! Here’s how to make it step by step:

    Start by rinsing all vegetables well.

    Next, shred the cabbage.

    Cut green onions and cucumber as well.

    Cut crab meat into smaller pieces.

    If making this salad ahead of time, store ingredients in one large bowl until ready for use. You can cover with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready for dressing and seasoning, up to 4 hours.

    Prior to serving, add mayonnaise and mix gently to avoid mashing the vegetables and releasing juice, which makes the salad watery.

    Add mayonnaise and mix gently to avoid mashing the vegetables and releasing juice, which makes the salad watery.

    Then add salt and pepper to taste and mix carefully once again.

    Add salt and pepper to taste and mix carefully once again.

    For the best results, serve the salad right after the dressing and seasonings are mixed in.

    Your delicious Crab Salad is ready to be served.

    It’s packed with protein and is low in sodium, calories, as well as cholesterol!

    How to Serve Crab Salad Recipe

    This Crab Salad goes incredibly well with a side of buttery crackers, in hoagie rolls to make a crab salad sandwich, or with some pasta for a pasta salad.

    At home, Crab Salad Recipe is requested pretty often by my family.

    I usually serve it with mashed potatoes, the way kids like it.

    Other delicious ways to eat it are with pasta, between two slices of bread for a great sandwich, or in a tortilla wrap.

    How to Customize Crab Salad Recipe

    This salad is delicious as is, but if you’re looking to customize it a bit, here are some ideas:

    • Add other veggies: You can add just about any veggie you like to this salad. Celery, red onion, red bell pepper, lettuce, and avocado all do well in this salad. You can also add fresh herbs such as fresh parsley or dill.
    • Add zest and tang: To give it a zesty flavor, you can add some freshly squeezed lemon juice to your salad. For a deep, tangy flavor instead, you can add a little Dijon mustard to the mayo before mixing it into the salad.
    • Make it creamier: Add some mashed avocados or sour cream to the salad to give it a deeper, creamier flavor.
    • Add other seasonings: To change up the flavor, you can also add other seasonings you like, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or even Old Bay seasoning.
    • Other protein: Just because it’s a crab salad doesn’t mean it can’t be a seafood salad! You can add any other seafood you like to this Crab Salad, including cooked shrimp!

    Substitutions and Variations

    Substitutions:

    • Imitation Crab (Surimi) → Real Crab Meat
      Budget-friendly and easier to find, though less protein-rich and less crabby in flavor.
    • Mayonnaise → Greek Yogurt or Avocado
      For a lighter or healthier creamy base, try swapping mayo with plain Greek yogurt or mashed avocado.
    • Cucumber → Celery or Bell Peppers
      Adds crunch if you want a fresher or sweeter twist.
    • Lemon Juice → Lime Juice or Vinegar
      For a slightly different tang, substitute lemon juice with fresh lime juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar.
    • Fresh Herbs (Dill, Parsley) → Chives or Basil
      Adjust herbs based on what you have or prefer—chives add a mild onion flavor; basil adds a sweet, aromatic touch.
    • Saltine Crackers or Bread → Lettuce Wraps or Rice Cakes
      For a low-carb or gluten-free serving option.

    Variations:

    • Spicy Crab Salad
      Add diced jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for heat.
    • Tropical Crab Salad
      Mix in diced mango, pineapple, or avocado for a sweet and creamy island vibe.
    • Asian-Inspired Crab Salad
      Toss with sesame oil, soy sauce, chopped scallions, and a bit of grated ginger for an umami kick.
    • Mediterranean Crab Salad
      Add olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a drizzle of olive oil and lemon.
    • Crab and Avocado Salad
      Combine crab meat with creamy avocado chunks for richness and extra healthy fats.
    • Keto-Friendly Crab Salad
      Use full-fat mayo, plenty of herbs, and serve over leafy greens to keep carbs low.
    It’s a great salad to have with some buttery crackers on the side or served on a bed of lettuce.

    How to Store Leftovers

    Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container.

    Don't freeze mayo-based salads such as this one because the texture will be off when thawed. It's best to make Seafood Salad right before you serve it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long does crab salad last in the fridge?

    Store crab salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days for the best freshness and safety.

    Can I make crab salad ahead of time?

    Absolutely! Making crab salad a few hours in advance helps the flavors meld. Just keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.

    How can I make crab salad healthier?

    Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, add extra veggies like celery and cucumber, and serve over greens or in lettuce cups.

    Is crab salad gluten-free?

    The salad itself usually is, but always check the ingredients on imitation crab or dressings, as some may contain gluten or additives.

    Can I freeze crab salad?

    It’s not recommended to freeze crab salad because the texture of the crab meat and creamy dressing can change and become watery when thawed.

    Salad that is  delicious, easy-to-make salad that’s a mixture of crab meat, shredded cabbage, cooked corn, chopped green onions, and cucumbers with a mayo-based dressing.

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    Recipe Card

    This easy Crab Salad is made of crab meat, mixed with delicious, chopped veggies, and all tossed in a creamy mayonnaise dressing. Learn how to make it here!

    Creamy Crab Salad Recipe (That Tastes Like Summer!)

    Valya's Taste of Home
    Crab salad Recipe is a delicious, easy-to-make salad that’s a mixture of crab meat, shredded cabbage, cooked corn, chopped green onions, and cucumbers with a mayo-based dressing.
    4.08 from 28 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6

    Ingredients
      

    Crab Salad Recipe Ingredients

    • 1 small cabbage head
    • 1 can corn
    • 1 lb. crab meat
    • 1 bunch green onion
    • 1 long English cucumber
    • ¾ cup mayonnaise (I used Homemade Mayonnaise)
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    Read More

    Instructions
     

    • Start by rinsing all vegetables well.
    • Next, shred the cabbage.
    • Cut green onion and cucumber as well.
    • Cut crab meat into smaller pieces.
    • If making this salad ahead of time, store ingredients in one large bowl until ready for use. You can cover with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready for dressing and seasoning; up to 4 hours.
    • Prior to serving, add mayonnaise and mix gently to avoid mashing on the vegetables and releasing juice, which makes the salad watery.
    • Then add salt and pepper to taste and mix carefully once again.
    • For the best results serve the salad right after the dressing and seasonings are mixed in.

    Notes

    For the best results, serve the salad right after the dressing and seasonings are mixed in.
     
    Enjoy this recipe? Leave a review (click the stars above) and let me know! I ❤️ to hear from you!
     
     
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lena says

      March 29, 2023 at 11:11 pm

      5 stars
      Hello Valya! This recipe gets a 10 star review. I made it for dinner today. Turned out really good! Going into my recipe collection.
      I didn't add any salt.
      Thank you for sharing your recipes with us!!!

      Reply
      • Valya's Taste of Home says

        March 30, 2023 at 2:00 pm

        Hi Lena! I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for being a loyal follower and for the amazing review! That means a lot!

        Reply
    2. Leslie Wallace says

      November 20, 2022 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      I came across your recipe for crab salad and I was so happy to see that I had all the ingredients. (I did use red onion instead of green onion). It came out delicious. Thank you for such a simple recipe.
      Will be following you for more easy delicious recipes.

      Reply
      • Valya's Taste of Home says

        November 20, 2022 at 5:09 pm

        I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for trying out my recipe and for a fantastic review! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Diana says

      August 15, 2021 at 11:16 pm

      5 stars
      I was CRAVING crab salad like my mom used to make when we were kids and only remembered that it had corn and googled that. Brought me to your page (so glad!) and it was exactly it. Yuuummmmy.

      Reply
      • Valya's Taste of Home says

        August 15, 2021 at 11:43 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that. Thank you for an amazing review! And welcome to my website!

        Reply
    4. Jackie says

      November 20, 2017 at 1:18 am

      5 stars
      Will definitely try this. Thanks. Through the negative comment on this post I learnt something, that I can use the fresh meat ... Thanks ?

      Reply
      • www.valyastasteofhome.com says

        November 20, 2017 at 5:53 pm

        The salad is great either way. Enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Nat says

      September 16, 2017 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      Interesting!

      Reply
      • www.valyastasteofhome.com says

        September 17, 2017 at 10:19 pm

        Crab lovers salad for sure!

        Reply
    6. Kasia says

      July 26, 2017 at 4:48 pm

      You do realize this is not crab meat, right? What you have here is mostly pollack, spices and chemicals. If you're going to post a recipe, maybe you should know the difference between crab and fake crap. Yikes.

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        July 26, 2017 at 8:21 pm

        I'm sorry if you're having a bad day. You can use fresh meat pulled from the crab as well. It's totally fine.

        Reply
        • Ella says

          December 27, 2019 at 2:26 pm

          Bahaha...just seeing your response and I’m laughing
          because I love your comeback. It’s like the kids saying “well duh”.

          Reply
          • Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says

            December 28, 2019 at 2:40 pm

            Haha, thank you! 😉

            Reply
    7. Marina says

      March 13, 2017 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for your recipe it's the best crab salad I ever made;-)

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        March 13, 2017 at 6:18 pm

        Marina, you made my day 😉 Thank you for such an amazing review!

        Reply
    8. Angelina says

      January 07, 2017 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      Crab salad... yum! I know what I'm making for tomorrow. Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        January 07, 2017 at 3:59 pm

        Thank you Angelina! It's truly delicious. 🙂

        Reply
    4.08 from 28 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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    A food blogger, recipe developer, photographer, editor, and author behind Valya’s Taste of Home website. Sharing family-proven tasty recipes with step-by-step photos and videos. Read more...

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