- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Tools You'll Need
You won't need anything fancy for this recipe.
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or rubber spatula
- Airtight container for storage
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
Seafood
Feel free to change up the seafood depending on what you have available.
You can use cooked lobster, real crab meat, scallops, or additional shrimp.
Mayonnaise
For a lighter dressing, replace part of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
Vegetables
Finely diced cucumber, bell pepper, or red onion can add extra freshness and crunch.
Seasoning
A little Old Bay gives the salad a classic seafood flavor. You can also add paprika, celery seed, dill, or a pinch of cayenne if you like a little heat.
Fresh Herbs
Fresh dill is especially delicious in seafood salad. Chopped chives or extra parsley are also great choices.
How to Make Seafood Salad
Step 1: Prepare the Seafood
If you're using cooked shrimp, make sure it has cooled completely.
Chop the imitation crab and shrimp into bite-sized pieces. You don't want them too finely chopped because having larger pieces of seafood gives the salad a much nicer texture.
Step 2: Chop the Vegetables
Finely dice the celery and slice the green onions.
The vegetables should be small enough to mix easily into the salad without overpowering the seafood.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, and garlic powder.
Season with salt and black pepper.
Give everything a good stir until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Add the crab, shrimp, celery, green onions, and parsley to a large mixing bowl.
Pour the dressing over the top and gently fold everything together.
Don't overmix—the seafood can break apart easily.
Step 5: Chill
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the seafood salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
If you have time, let it chill for a couple of hours. The flavors become even better as they have time to mingle.
Step 6: Serve
Give the salad a gentle stir before serving.
Spoon it onto lettuce leaves, serve it with crackers, pile it onto toasted bread, or make a delicious seafood salad sandwich.
What to Serve With Seafood Salad
This salad is incredibly versatile!
Try serving it with:
- Butter crackers
- Croissants
- Toasted baguette
- Lettuce cups
- Fresh cucumber slices
- Potato chips
- Pasta salad
- Fresh fruit
- Coleslaw
- A simple green salad
For a summer lunch, I love serving it alongside fresh fruit and crunchy crackers. So simple—and anything but boring!!
Tips for Making the Best Seafood Salad
Use Fully Cooled Seafood
If your shrimp is freshly cooked, let it cool completely before adding it to the salad. Warm seafood can thin out the creamy dressing.
Don't Overmix
Fold everything together gently. This helps keep the crab and shrimp in recognizable, delicious pieces.
Give It Time to Chill
Don't skip the chilling step if you can help it. Even 30 minutes makes a noticeable difference.
Taste Before Serving
Seafood, mayonnaise, and Old Bay all contain varying amounts of salt, so taste the finished salad before adding extra seasoning.
Add Lemon Just Before Serving
If you love a bright citrus flavor, a small squeeze of fresh lemon over the salad just before serving makes everything pop.
Storage Instructions
Store seafood salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For food safety and best quality, keep it properly chilled and consume it within 3–4 days.
Don't leave seafood salad sitting at room temperature for extended periods, especially during warm weather.
Can You Make Seafood Salad Ahead?
Absolutely!
In fact, this is one of those recipes that benefits from being made ahead. Prepare it several hours before serving and refrigerate it until you're ready to eat.
If you're preparing it for a party, keep the salad refrigerated until serving time.
General Recipe Information
Prep time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: About 6
Category: Salad / Lunch
Cuisine: American
Method: No-cook, chilled
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use real crab meat?
Yes! Real lump crab meat makes an especially delicious seafood salad. Because real crab is more delicate, fold it into the salad gently.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Cook the shrimp according to the package directions, cool it completely, and drain it well before adding it to the salad.
Can I make seafood salad the night before?
Yes. Making it several hours ahead is a great idea because the flavors have more time to develop.
What can I use instead of mayonnaise?
Plain Greek yogurt can replace some or all of the mayonnaise. Keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly tangier.
Can I add pasta?
Definitely! Turn this into a heartier meal by mixing in cooked and completely cooled pasta. Rotini, shells, or bow-tie pasta work particularly well.
Is seafood salad served cold?
Yes. Seafood salad is best served chilled.
Can I freeze seafood salad?
I don't recommend freezing it. The creamy dressing can separate and the vegetables may become watery after thawing.
Conclusion
This easy Seafood Salad is proof that delicious food doesn't have to be complicated. Tender seafood, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy, flavorful dressing come together in just minutes.
Whether you're making it for a quick lunch, a summer gathering, a potluck, or simply because you have a craving for something cool and creamy, this recipe is a winner.
And honestly, I think it tastes even better after a little time in the refrigerator. Make it once, and don't be surprised if everyone asks you for the recipe!
More Seafood Recipes to Try
If you're a seafood lover, here are a few more delicious recipes to add to your menu:
- Classic Shrimp Salad
- Creamy Crab Salad
- Old-Fashioned Tuna Salad
- Shrimp Pasta Salad
- Creamy Seafood Pasta
- Classic Crab Cakes
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
Did You Make This Recipe?
I would love to know how your Seafood Salad turned out!
Leave a review below and share your experience. If you made it, snap a photo and share it on Pinterest so other seafood lovers can find this easy recipe too!
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 300
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sodium: 900mg
