Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
This Crab Seafood Salad is made with Imation Crab meat, celery, and mayonnaise. It is a delicious combination that will make a quick a refreshing summertime meal. It is quick & easy to make.
Crab Salad Recipe For Sandwiches
As summer approaches, food that tastes crisp, fresh & delicious is a must. Every summer our family spends a week of vacation in Maine. Having a Crab Seafood Salad sandwich is a must for that week.
Not only do we have one, but oftentimes we end up ordering it a few times during the week.
It is a classic dish and has been a staple sandwich filling found at delis and on salad bars for decades!
But the best is ordering these sandwiches from a pop-up food truck on the beach.
AHHHH!
Summer vacations are the best! I have always had nostalgic reactions to food. Enjoying this sandwich at home just brings me right back to being on vacation.
If you are in search of that Perfect crab Seafood Salad Sandwich, this is the right recipe for you. This offers a delicious seafood roll with spiciness throughout, all on a toasted split-top bun. This cold crab salad is just a perfect light lunch or dinner when the weather is warm and you don’t want a heavy, hot meal.
It can easily be whipped up in less than 10 minutes.
Can you say YUM?? You don’t need to be near an ocean to enjoy this seafood delight. But you know it does help!
Making Fake Crab Seafood Salad
Please note that the printable version of this recipe can be found below (Just scroll down).
How do you make imitation crab salad?
With a mixture of celery, mayonnaise, paprika, mustard, and imitation crab meat. It may seem strange that you are using a combination of mayonnaise and mustard, but this is the base for many homemade salads & foods.
Such as; tuna salad, deviled eggs, tartar sauce, to chicken salad.
Find your perfect protein and pair it with mayonnaise. You will find that they will become great friends. I like to call them best friends. This is a great classic seafood salad.
What is Imitation Crab?
Why imitation or fake crab meat (also known as Krab)? Living in Upstate New York, often we run into a seafood dilemma. Cost versus availability.
Not always can we get fresh crab meat, and if we do have it in-store, the cost is something that is just not in my budget.
Imitation crab meat, on the other hand, is not only more affordable, but a serviceable substitute in sushi rolls, salads, and dips.
Imitation Crab Salad (krab) is actually made from a mild whitefish, typically Alaskan Pollock, that is ground and then bound with starch to resemble a real crab leg.
Pretty interesting stuff right there.
Either way, I find it much easy and lighter on my budget to purchase imitation crab meat. I can always count on it being at the grocery store. Frugal is my name, and savings is definitely my game.
Ingredients Needed For Crab Salad Recipe
- 1 package chunk or flakes of imitation crab (8 oz package)
- 4 oz cooked shrimp (small shrimp or chopped large)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 stalks of celery (chopped)
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- ½ red onion (chopped)
- 1/2 tsp old bay spice
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chipotle Mayo (Optional)
This mayonnaise is the best. You know most of us to have our favorites, but this one pairs so well. And why would you change that?
Serve on a hoagie roll. Hey, if you are feeling a little creative, you can make your own Homemade Hoagie Rolls. I Like this recipe from the Stay At Home Chef.
Looking for new lunch options, some of my favorites include Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad and Easy Homemade Corn Dog Batter Mix.
Other Ways To Enjoy
- In a Tomato – Core out one large tomato (like a beefsteak), fill with seafood salad and enjoy. The same goes for wrapping this mix inside a piece of iceberg lettuce. A great low-carb option.
- As a Pasta Salad – Make your favorite style of pasta. Once cool, mix in with the seafood salad mix. Now you can enjoy Seafood Pasta Salad.
- With Crackers – Serve with your favorite club crackers or fresh veggies.
- Lettuce cups – Spoon your seafood crab salad into a lettuce cup.
- Cucumber – Spoon onto cucumber slices for an easy party snack.
- Puff Pastry – Fill up cooked puff pastry shells with the salad.
- Or grab a spoon and eat straight from the bowl
Turn it into a crab seafood dip.
How to make into a Crab Salad Dip
It is pretty simple to turn your seafood salad into a dip. It all comes down to size. If you are making it as a dip, you will want to chop the crab up into smaller pieces. This way, when you are serving, you can scoop it up and eat it on your favorite cracker.
We really like to serve this as a dip on buttery-round type crackers. The combination is so good.
How to Store Crab Salad
The biggest and most important step is not to let it sit out on the counter for too long. Since it contains mayonnaise, it could spoil pretty quickly.
Make sure you get it placed in the fridge in an airtight container. Can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days. If, of course, you have any leftovers.
Imitation Crab Seafood Salad Recipe
Crab Salad with celery and mayonnaise is a delicious and inexpensive, delicious way to enjoy the classic Seafood Salad we all grew up with. Whips up in less than 10 minutes. Give this delicious recipe a try. I know you will really enjoy creating this salad.
Fake Crab Seafood Salad Recipe For Sandwiches

This Crab Seafood Salad is made with Imation Crab meat, celery, and mayonnaise. It is a delicious combination that will make a quick a refreshing summertime meal. It is quick & easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 package chunk imitation crab
- 4 oz cooked shrimp (small shrimp or chopped large)
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp. mustard
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- ½ red onion (chopped)
- 1/2 tsp old bay spice
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chipotle Mayo (Optional)
Instructions
- Chop imitation crab and small shrimp into bite-size pieces. Then add in the diced celery, bell pepper, and red onion into a bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combined mayo, mustard, old bay spice, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix wet ingredients until combined. Next, add all other ingredients mix until well coated. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.
- When ready to serve to apply the chipotle mayo to the outside of the split-top bun. Toast on both sides. Once the seafood mixture is cool fill the buns so they are heaping and enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 452Total Fat: 44gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 36gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 1228mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 6g
If you made this delicious fake seafood salad, we would love to know how it turned out for you. Did you make it for lunch or dinner? Leave us a comment below. We would love to hear from you.
More Summertime Favorite Salad Ideas You May Enjoy
Summertime Watermelon Salad Recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Eating out is easy, and it usually tastes delicious, but it’s expensive. Making this meal at home will save you money. Add this recipe to your weekly meal plan.
That Recipe says
Oh my! I want this NOW!
found you on The Wednesday Roundup.
Heather says
We just happen to have some imitation crab in the refrigerator. I can’t wait to try this!
Elizabeth O says
This Fake Crab Seafood Salad is not only easy, but it’s also versatile. I love it!
Bill says
OMG, this is exactly what I’m looking for. I cannot wait to try it. I hope it goes very well
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Good luck! Would love to hear how it turns out.
Beth Pierce says
This is the easiest carb seafood salad that I’ve seen so far. I am definitely trying this.
Alita says
I wish I can give more star ratings for your recipe. It’s too good and my family loved it.
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Thank you so much!
briannemanzb says
Yes, yes, yes! I am definitely making this. I think this is my favorite among your recipes 🙂
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Thank you!!!
Brian says
For years, I’ve been using imitation crab meat in my summer rolls and papaya salads. I use imitation lobster as well!
Fransic verso says
whoa this looks yummy, love the fillings, it looks so good, and would love to try it. Thank you for sharing!
Ntensibe Edgar says
This is a new dimension of enjoying crab seafood I hadn’t thought about! Sounds good. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Nyxie says
What a great way to create a ‘fancy’ lunch without actually having to be fancy. I love it!
Rosey says
Crab salad is a favorite in my family. Always happy to come across a new recipe.
Saïda says
Yum! Looks so delicious!
Jennifer Prince says
Oh wow! I never thought of making this with imitation crab. What a creative idea!
Thena says
I literally eat this all the time- it’s the best! So fresh!
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Thank you so much, Thena for your comment! I am so happy to hear you love this recipe.
Kathi says
It says 1 package of imitation crab. What size package? Thank you 😊
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Hi Kathi, An 8 oz package will be needed for this recipe.
Shannon says
Half bag of cooked shrimp. What size bag?
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Hi Shannon, I am sorry I wasn’t more specific. It is 4 oz of Shrimp. I have also updated the ingredient list. Thank you for asking for clarification.
Laurie says
I made it. Effing delicious! Thank you.
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
HA HA!!! I love it!!! Thank you for that AMAZING review!
Jeff says
Hi,
Check the amount of Old Bay spice you recommend and update your recipe, please.
Jen @ Inspiring Savings says
Thank you, Jeff for catching my typo. Just updated. Appreciate it.