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Chilled Seafood Salad with Lemon-Dill Dressing

This Cold Seafood Salad combines chopped imitation crab meat with finely diced onion and celery in a creamy dressing. It’s flavorful, budget-friendly, and quick to prepare.

The recipe is moderately low in carbohydrates, though it does not follow strict ketogenic limits.

Table of Contents

  • Why I love this recipe
  • Expert Tips
  • FAQ’s
  • Process Shots
  • You may also enjoy
a bowl of small batch seafood salad with chopped imitation crab meat combined with onion and celery in a creamy mayonnaise dressing.
Cold Seafood Salad

Why I love this recipe

This salad works on its own, atop crackers, or piled into a sandwich roll. It’s a small-batch copycat of the crab salad often sold in supermarkets and makes enough for 2–4 people.

Expert Tips

If you prefer, substitute real lump crabmeat for imitation crab. Fresh or canned crab will elevate the flavor but will cost more—inspect carefully for shells when using real crab.

You can also add cooked shrimp or lobster for variety, or toss in slivered almonds for extra texture.

FAQ’s

What is Imitation Crab made of?

Imitation crab, or surimi, is made from minced white fish such as pollock that’s processed and shaped to resemble crab. It’s affordable, versatile, and can be used in recipes that call for shellfish. It provides protein and omega-3s while generally remaining low in fat and calories.

Process Shots

imitation crab meat chopped on a cutting board.
diced onions and celery on a cutting board.
a bowl filled with imitation crab meat salad mixed together.

You may also enjoy

  • Cold Broccoli Salad
  • Chinese Chicken Ramen Salad
  • Chunky Potato Salad
  • Tuna Macaroni Salad
  • Ultimate Seafood Boil
  • Ham and Cheddar Macaroni Salad
a bowl of cold seafood salad with chopped imitation crab meat combined with onion and celery in a creamy mayonnaise dressing.
Crab Meat Salad

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a bowl of small batch seafood salad with chopped imitation crab meat combined with onion and celery in a creamy mayonnaise dressing.

Cold Seafood Salad Recipe

Zona House
This Cold Seafood Salad takes just eight ingredients and four simple steps to prepare.
4.47 from 129 votes
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Prep Time 10
Chill Time 1
Total Time 1 10
Course Side Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 122 kcal

Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients

  • ½ pound imitation crab meat
  • ¼ small onion (or red onion)
  • 1 small celery stalk
  • ⅛ cup mayonnaise
  • ⅛ cup sour cream
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika)
  • ¼ teaspoon dill
  • Table salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

 

  • Roughly chop the imitation crab meat on a cutting board.
  • Dice the onion and celery into small pieces.
  • In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until evenly coated.
  • Refrigerate for about an hour before serving to let the flavors meld.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions – Real crab meat can be used instead of imitation crab for a richer flavor; check for shells if using fresh or canned crab. Cooked shrimp also makes a good substitute.

For a lighter option, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream, or omit the sour cream and increase the mayonnaise to your taste.

Storage – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4–5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 122kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 4gFat: 7g

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Hi there, and a warm welcome! I’m Zona House, and I create simple, satisfying recipes designed for busy lives.

I believe cooking should be enjoyable and delicious—let’s savor every bite together.

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