This Seafood Salad recipe only takes about 10 minutes to throw together and is so much better than what you buy at the grocery store.
Seafood Salad is one of my weaknesses. You will note, that as a food blogger and generally weird person, I have odd weaknesses. Croutons, Spicy V8, and pickles are also on the list.
While it is so simple to buy Seafood Salad from the grocery store deli, I would urge you to make your own instead. It is so incredibly easy and a recipe that you will fall in love with.
Seafood Salad Ingredients
This salad comes together with just a few simple ingredients.
- Imitation Crab Meat
- Salad Shrimp
- Red Onion
- Celery
- Mayonnaise
- Lemon Juice
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Dill
- Salt & Pepper
How to Make Seafood Salad
This seafood salad recipe is very simple to make.
- Mix together the main ingredients: Imitation crab meat, shrimp, onion and celery.
- Mix together the dressing ingredients: mayonnaise, lemon juice, old bay seasoning, dill, salt and pepper.
- Mix the dressing into the main ingredient.
What Shrimp to Buy
When making this salad we always just buy frozen salad shrimp. You can buy it pre cooked and all you have to do is thaw it. It is already perfectly cooked
Imitation vs. Real Crab Meat
I have dealt with a lot of criticism over using imitation crab meat in my Crab Pasta Salad. Guys, I’m fine with it. I love the stuff.
That being said, I also love real crab meat. It’s delicious! The reason for using imitation crab meat in this and my other recipes is twofold.
- Imitation crab meat is cheaper than real crab meat. Using imitation means more people can make my recipes.
- It hold up better in salads like this.
All of that being said, if you would like to use lump crab meat, go for it! Buy it fresh or by the can, and just make sure that you pick over it really well for shells before adding it to the salad.
Old Bay Seasoning
Old Bay Seasoning is a great seasoning that is really popular in New England cooking, specifically related to seafood. I love it in my Shrimp Pasta Salad and often people use it to replace Spike in my Crab Pasta Salad.
You can usually find it with the spices and seasonings and it contains:
- Celery Salt
- Red Pepper
- Black Pepper
- Paprika
Or you can make Homemade Old Bay Seasoning.
How Long Does This Last
This recipe will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
How to Eat Seafood Salad
I think that seafood salad is great on it’s own. But it is also delicious eaten on a croissant or a bun as a seafood salad sandwich. You could also serve it in lettuce or endive cups as an appetizer.
Other Great Salads
If you are putting out a spread some other great salad recipes are:
If you make this Seafood Salad recipe or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think! I love hearing from you.
Seafood Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces imitation crab meat see note about using real crab meat
- 12 ounces salad shrimp thawed
- 1/2 small red onion diced small
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise (I used light)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning learn more about Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh dill or 1/2 teasoon dry dill
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (see note and if using table salt, start with half)
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the crab meat (broken up), shrimp, red onion, and celery.
- In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Old Bay Seasoning, fresh dill, and salt. Taste and add pepper to taste.
- Stir the dressing into the main ingredients and serve. This recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days in an air tight container.
Notes
Joyce Maggitti says
Looks and sounds delicious, going to make this week.
I hope you love it Joyce!
Sandra says
Lisa, do you have a recipe for Old Bay Seasoning? We are in Canada and I have not found this in our grocery store.
Hi Sandra! Since you left this comment, I’ve developed an Old Bay Seasoning recipe. You can find it here: Old Bay Seasoning
Bob says
Costco
Perfect place to pick up the ingredients for this :)
Karen Howard says
Love this recipe & I stuffed a tomato w/ it. Why not ? We stuff them w/ Tuna. You can add Pasta Shells, Elbow or other Pasta to this too to stretch it further & use as a One Bowl Meal or as a Side Dish w/ Fish Tacos/Any Kind of Kabobs or Other Fish or Meat. My preferance is to leave out the Bay Seasoning & Dill though & add Green Onions , Chives or Fresh Thyme instead.😋
Linda Woodhead says
Oh, I make this all the time and it’s just me. I will sit with a bowl of it and dip my club crackers in it for tv snacks
Rebecca says
I tried this recipe and it was delicious! My family loved it! The only thing was I couldn’t find fresh dill so I used dried dill. I will be making it again! I wish that I could upload a picture of mine.
I love the idea of you sharing a photo Rebecca! We are in the middle of a redesign and maybe we can work that into it somehow. In the meantime, you can email it to me! [email protected]
julieta says
deliciosa!!! muchas gracias por las explicaciones fueron muy oportunas! Saudos
Kylette Williams says
Best seafood salad recipe I have tried! Served it on a croissant with avocado, lettuce and tomato. So good!
I’m so happy you liked it!
Kim Bechtel says
I did not see note about real crab,did you mean to use fresh & dry dill both?
Hi Kim! The note about the crab is in the post. If you click on the highlighted part it will take you to it. You can use fresh dill or dry, but I don’t recommend using both.
DiAnne M. Wood says
I really like the way you list headings of “how long this lasts” and “how to serve.”
This whole page was so easy to read, not just the recipe, but the information you provided. You have perfected posting a recipe…all the facts, your opinion in separate area, and extra info that people need in neatly arranged, easy-to-find ways.
Now, I just need to make this tonight and serve on toasted Brioche buns. Thank you! (I’ll come back and rate the recipe later.)
I hope you enjoyed it DiAnne!
Jackie says
Well, I hit the jackpot today. Got the recipe for Seafood Salad, & for Old Bay Seasoning AND Ham Salad. Can’t wait to try them all. Thanks Lisa.
I hope you love them all!