Easy and Simple Crab Salad Appetizer Snack

This crab salad recipe is the easiest and it tastes good too. It’s a rich, savory, and great appetizer to snack on for summer, game day, or the holidays and makes an easy lunch too!

During the summer, with hotter weather, light meals are usually what is on the menu. A simple easy crab salad like this one is a great alternative for a special occasion. You can make it ahead of time to allow the flavors to blend together. Then you mix it right before it is time to serve. 

This crab salad is low in calories but filled with protein (if you are using real lump crab meat, which you should). Pair fresh lump crab meat with a yummy dressing and you’ll get a real crowd-pleaser.  

If you’re looking for new versatile recipes this summer besides the popular chicken salad, then this crab salad recipe is perfect. 

The best way to enjoy the crab meat salad is to serve it on top of crackers or over a bed of salad greens or in crab salad sandwiches. You can make this as a crab dip for crackers or spoon it into endive spears, Belgian endives, avocado halves, lettuce cups, or mini sweet bell pepper halves. 

This easy recipe makes a super good light lunch meal that I like to put together in the summer and serve as a complete meal. But it’s not only for the hot days. It also makes a great side dish, a fancy appetizer for the holiday season, after pool snack, and is perfect for movie night or a simple light meal. 

You can have this low-carb fresh seafood salad to snack on while watching the Super Bowl. It’s a great way to get protein in your diet whilst enjoying more seafood.

Here’s what you need to make the simple crab salad snack:

Fresh crab meat: It’s light and salty. The best flavor comes from fresh jumbo lump crab meat, which you can find in the seafood department of the grocery store.

Scallions: These are similar to green onions and have a sweet and mild onion taste. They’re great in these kinds of salads.

Celery:  Adds a crunchy texture, herbal aroma, and slightly sweet, earthy, and mild flavor.

Fresh dill: Adds great aroma and flavor and it’s one of the best fresh herbs to use in a salad!

Fresh Lemon juice and mayonnaise combine to make a simple dressing.

Salt: A little salt is good for flavor. 

Crackers: To serve with. You can choose any kind of top crackers you like.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make the easy and simple crab salad

1: Combine key ingredients

In a large bowl, gently combine all ingredients except the lemon juice, mayonnaise, and salt.

2: Make the creamy dressing 

In a separate bowl, mix the fresh lemon juice, salt, and mayonnaise then combine the creamy dressing with the salad ingredients. 

3: Serve and enjoy 

Serve immediately with crackers.

How to store leftover crab salad 

• If you have leftovers, place them into an airtight container or small bowl and cover them with plastic wrap (cling film), then place them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 
• Freezing is not recommended for this recipe since it has mayonnaise. 

Expert Tips 

•  If you know a trusted fishmonger, I recommend getting your fresh lump crab meat from them. High-quality crab is not hard to find and it sure is rewarding to enjoy.
• You can make this using imitation crab as it is available year-round. Imitation crab is made of mild white fish, which is blended with other ingredients so that it looks and tastes similar to real crab meat.  
• Use low-fat mayonnaise or any mayonnaise of your choice. 
• When it comes to dill, a little bit goes a long way so don’t use a lot. 

Recipe FAQ

Other great crab salads recipes to try out:

This Cold Crab Salad with Sweet Corn and Black Olives is the perfect tasty and refreshing summer salad. 

The delicious Quick Crab and Apple Salad is full of fiber, gives you a boost of energy, and helps support a healthy heart!

If you tried this Easy and Simple Crab Salad Appetizer Snack or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and leave your 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

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