This crab salad comes together in about 30 minutes and is no-bake! It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Ingredients For Crab Salad
Let’s gather what we need for this Crab Salad. Here’s the breakdown for you:
- 1 pound imitation crabmeat, flaked: You can use real crab if you want to treat yourself, but imitation crab is super easy on the wallet and still tastes amazing!
- 0.5 cup finely chopped celery: This brings in that lovely crunch! Feel free to add more if you’re a celery fan!
- 0.5 cup reduced-fat ranch dressing: This adds a creamy and zesty flavor that’s oh-so-good. You can swap this for cocktail sauce if you’re feeling a bit fancy!
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise: It helps bring everything together. Oh, and for those of you keeping tabs, it also adds that rich creaminess we all crave.
- 1 tablespoon white sugar: Trust me, this little bit balances the flavors perfectly!
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley: Because everything’s better with a pop of green, right? You can substitute with dried parsley if that’s what you have on hand.
How to Make This Crab Salad
Alright, let’s get cooking! (Well, technically no cooking here, but you know what I mean.)
Gather all ingredients: Seriously, it’s essential to have everything on hand before you start. This makes the whole process a breeze!
Mix it up: In a big ol’ salad bowl, gently mix together the crabmeat, chopped celery, ranch dressing, mayonnaise, sugar, and parsley. Enjoy the beautiful contrast of colors, oh, it’s delightful to look at!
Refrigerate: Cover the bowl and pop it into the fridge for about 8 hours or even overnight. This allows all those flavors to marry and make magic together! When you take it out, give it a stir before serving. Trust me, the taste gets better the longer it sits, if you can wait that long!
Enjoy: Serve it up with crackers, in a sandwich, or on a bed of lettuce. It’s a comforting and easy meal that everyone in the family will absolutely devour!
If you loved this crab salad, be sure to check out my Divorce Salad or my Cowboy Salad!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This crab salad literally comes together in under 30 minutes. No cooking, no fuss, just mix and chill. If you’re scrambling for a weeknight meal, this is it!
No-Cook Convenience
Because we’re not cooking anything here, you can feel at ease. It’s perfect for those hot summer days when turning on the oven seems like a dreadful idea.
Budget-Friendly
Imitation crab meat is usually pretty affordable, making this a friendly hit for your wallet. Add some fresh veggies, and you’ve got a healthy meal without breaking the bank!
Make-Ahead Friendly
This recipe can be made ahead of time, making it ideal for meal prepping! Just whip it up the night before and let it sit in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. Dinner done!
Customizable
There’s so much room to play with this recipe! You can throw in whatever veggies you prefer, think bell peppers, green onions, or even avocado! Use your imagination!
Perfect for Picnics
This crab salad is also fantastic for outdoor gatherings. It’s light, refreshing, and tastes even better when chilled. Bring it to your next potluck, and people will be asking for the recipe!
Serving & Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
This crab salad is incredibly versatile! Serve it chilled straight from the bowl, or dish it out onto a fresh bed of lettuce for a light salad. It’s also great on crackers or in a sandwich! Pair it with some fresh fruit or a veggie platter for a complete meal!
How to Store
You can keep any leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure it’s tightly sealed so it stays fresh and flavorful!
Reheating Instructions
No reheating necessary! This dish is best enjoyed cold. Just give it a stir before serving again.
Freezer Friendly
It’s not really freezer-friendly since the texture of the crab and dressing can change after freezing, leaving you with an odd consistency. So enjoy it fresh!
So there you have it, folks! A quick and easy crab salad recipe that’s sure to be a hit at any meal. The creamy dressing, crunchy veggies, and flaked crab all come together to create a dish that’s not only simple to make but also loaded with tons of flavor! If you’re looking for a stress-free weeknight dinner that you’ll absolutely love, reach for this recipe. You won’t regret it!
Oh, and don’t forget to let me know how yours turns out! Happy cooking, friends! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
Print
Easy Crab Salad
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
A quick and easy crab salad that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, combining imitation crab, crunchy veggies, and creamy dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 pound imitation crabmeat, flaked
- 0.5 cup finely chopped celery
- 0.5 cup reduced-fat ranch dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients.
- In a big bowl, gently mix together the crabmeat, chopped celery, ranch dressing, mayonnaise, sugar, and parsley.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 8 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, give it a stir and enjoy with crackers, in a sandwich, or on a bed of lettuce.
Notes
This salad can be made ahead of time and is great for picnics. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg