Description
Delightful summer “Crab Salad” brings coastal freshness to your table with sweet crab meat dancing among crisp vegetables. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a light, zesty dish that promises cool comfort and seafood satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) crab meat, picked over for shells
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup (150 grams) celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) Old Bay seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Dice the celery, red bell pepper, and red onion into uniform, small cubes to ensure balanced flavor distribution.
- Place the crab meat in a spacious mixing vessel, taking care to remove any potential shell fragments.
- Add the chopped vegetables and freshly minced parsley to the crab meat, creating a vibrant seafood base.
- Prepare the creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise with tangy Dijon mustard and bright lemon juice.
- Season the dressing with a pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional Old Bay seasoning for enhanced maritime taste.
- Carefully incorporate the zesty dressing into the crab mixture, using a gentle folding technique to maintain the delicate meat’s texture.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Before serving, give the salad a light stir and garnish with additional chopped parsley for a fresh, verdant touch.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing appetizer or light lunch accompaniment.
Notes
- Opt for fresh, high-quality crab meat to ensure the best flavor and texture in your salad.
- Use a light hand when mixing to keep the delicate crab meat from breaking apart and becoming mushy.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, starting with less and adding more Old Bay or salt gradually for a perfectly balanced flavor.
- For a lighter version, swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a mixture of Greek yogurt and light mayo to reduce calories while maintaining creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg