IIf you are looking for a quick, creamy, and delicious lunch or light dinner, this Imitation Crab Salad Recipe is one of the easiest meals you can make. It comes together in about 10 minutes with simple grocery store ingredients and is perfect for sandwiches, crackers, lettuce wraps, or enjoying by itself.
Imitation crab, also called surimi, has a mild seafood flavor that pairs perfectly with crunchy celery, crisp onions, creamy mayonnaise, and a touch of lemon juice. It is an affordable alternative to fresh crab while still delivering a satisfying seafood-inspired dish.
Whether you're meal prepping for the week or need something fast for a summer picnic, this easy crab salad is always a favorite.
Serve these with some crackers on the side or on a bun.
Do you like having salads for lunch? Try out my recipes for Strawberry Poppyseed Salad which is a Panera Copy Cat or Big Mac in a Bowl.
Jump to:
Why This Works
- Ready in just 10 minutes with no cooking required.
- Uses inexpensive ingredients that are easy to find.
- Perfect for meal prep and quick lunches.
- Creamy, crunchy, and packed with flavor.
- Easy to customize with your favorite herbs and seasonings.
- Delicious served several different ways.
Ingredients Needed
- Imitation crab meat - The star of the recipe. Chop the imitation crab into bite sized pieces for the best texture.
- Light Mayo - Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy condiment made from oil, egg yolks, vinegar or lemon juice, and seasonings. I use light or reduced fat to help lower the calories of the recipe.
- Greek yogurt - is a good source of protein.
- Lemon, juiced - This gives the crab salad a nice burst of citrus flavor.
- Celery, chopped - Adds a fresh crunch and balances the creamy dressing.
- Cheddar cheese - If you use a reduced fat cheddar cheese it can help lower the calories.
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Imitation Crab Salad
Step 1: Combine the crab with the mayo, greek yogurt, lemon juice, cheddar cheese, red onion, and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
Place the salad greens on 2 plates for large portions and 3 plates for small portions.
Place lemon wedges on plate.
Serve.
Pro Tips for Crab Salad
- Pat the imitation crab dry if it seems overly moist before chopping.
- Cut all of the vegetables into small pieces for the best texture.
- Fresh lemon juice provides brighter flavor than bottled juice.
- Let the salad chill before serving for even better flavor.
- Add chopped green onions, parsley, or a pinch of Old Bay seasoning for a different twist.
- If you like extra crunch, stir in diced cucumber just before serving.
Storage
Store leftover imitation crab salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Stir the salad before serving since the dressing may separate slightly during storage.
This recipe is not recommended for freezing because the mayonnaise dressing can separate and become watery after thawing.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy imitation crab salad.
- Serve it on toasted croissants or sandwich bread.
- Scoop it into lettuce wraps for a lighter meal.
- Spoon it over mixed greens for a simple seafood salad.
- Enjoy it with crackers for an easy snack or appetizer.
- Stuff it into pita bread with shredded lettuce.
- Serve alongside sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh fruit for a light summer lunch.
Recipe FAQS
Imitation crab meat typically contains a combination of fish such as pollock, starches, flavorings, and sometimes egg white or other binders. It is designed to taste and look similar to real crab meat but is typically less expensive.
Imitation crab meat has quite a few essential nutrients in it. This type of crab meat has protein, vitamin B12, and selenium. It is lower in calories and sodium than real crab meat and perfectly safe to eat.
Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. The type of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic, whatever! Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container.
More Great Recipes to Try:
If you tried this Imitation Crab Salad (Deli Style) or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Recipes Diaries.
Imitation Crab Salad
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Chop
- Cuisine: Salad
Description
Learn how to make imitation crab salad just like at the deli!
Ingredients
- 1 lb imitation crab meat
- ¼ cup light mayo
- ¼ cup of greek yogurt
- ½ of a lemon, juiced
- ¼ cup of celery, chopped
- 1 cup of cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons of red onion, finely chopped
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
Dice the onions and celery really fine and add them to a bowl along with the rest of the ingredients for the salad. Squeeze ½ a lemon over the salad and mix again.
Serve with crackers or just eat with a spoon.
Notes
¼ cup per serving
My WW Personal Points: 5 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 146
- Sugar: 2.9
- Fat: 7.7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.2g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: .2g
- Protein: 9.5g
I am not affiliated with WW formerly known as Weight Watchers in any way. I am just a member who likes to create WW recipes and share them with everyone. Freestyle is the name of the current program of WW and smart points are calculated for the recipes. Some blogs list them as freestyle smart points and some list them as smart points. There is no difference between the 2.
Jenna says
Thanks!
Andrea H says
This is the perfect recipe! It is great with or without the cheddar. I think I will try it baked with cheddar, and omit the cheddar when I serve it cold. (:
A says
So delicious and fresh tasting!
Jenna says
No, I haven't.
Jenny says
Have you ever baked this and served it warm?