Description
This Crab Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion. Made with tender lump crab meat mixed with crisp celery, red bell pepper, and red onion, all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Enhanced with fresh herbs and optional capers, this salad is served chilled on a bed of lettuce leaves alongside crackers or crusty bread, making it a light and satisfying appetizer or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Salad
- 1 pound lump crab meat (fresh or canned, drained)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained (optional)
For Serving
- Lettuce leaves
- Crackers or crusty bread
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Add the Crab and Vegetables: Gently fold in the lump crab meat, finely chopped celery, red bell pepper, red onion, fresh parsley, and fresh dill if using. Be careful not to break up the crab meat to maintain its texture and freshness.
- Incorporate the Capers (Optional): If you choose to use capers, gently fold them into the crab mixture to add an extra briny and tangy flavor dimension.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the crab salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste of the salad.
- Serve: Serve the chilled crab salad on a bed of crisp lettuce leaves, accompanied by your favorite crackers or crusty bread for a delicious and elegant presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh lump crab meat for the best flavor, but canned crab meat can be used as a convenient alternative.
- Adjust seasoning and lemon juice to taste for your desired level of tanginess and spice.
- Optional ingredients like dill and capers add complexity but can be omitted based on preference.
- This salad is best served cold and is great for picnics, potlucks, or as a light lunch.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for optimal freshness.
