A quick and easy seafood salad recipe made with imitation crab that's perfect for sandwiches, rolls or crackers and always a hit!
JUMP TO RECIPEI called my daddy last week and told him I needed some help with a project. I needed some “background boards” to use when taking food photos. I have no idea what the professional term for such things is but it’s a wooden platform you can set your food on to take pictures if you’re so inclined.
I've been trying to step up my photography game a little bit and have been experimenting with lighting and taking photos in places other than my counter (which I’m sure you’re all verrrry familiar with) but that means I need something to set the food on to take the photos.
Daddy suggested we ride “down to the country” which means the land he hunts on out past where we both grew up. He said there was an old farm there with lots of old wood that we could use to make what I was needing. This sounded perfect to me but mostly I just wanted a chance to spend the day with my daddy. Especially if we were going back through my old stomping grounds.
We rode by the house he grew up in and I circled back to take a look at it. It’d been a long time since I’d seen it and I was reminded anew where a strong work ethic and good raising will take you.
My parents now live in a very large, very nice home in a very nice neighborhood in a very nice town.
And this is the house my daddy grew up in. A four-room house with no running water.
What’s even more impressive to me than the significant leap my dad has taken from his humble beginnings, is that when we were there, the only emotion he seemed to be experiencing was joy as he described to me the inside. It was like he was walking through the rooms as they were seventy years ago, outlining for me where everything was. He remembers only a loving home, not the humble shack we were standing in front of. Dang, y’all gonna make me cry!
ANYWAY... we were able to find THE COOLEST stuff! I had a hard time settling on what I wanted. I wanted all of it but knew I was limited on space to store these things so I chose old painted boards in both yellow and red, what we think was once an old desktop and an old white cupboard door.
I dropped daddy and the wood off at his house and not even two hours later he called and said he was on his way to my house – he’d already cut everything and nailed them together into the size I needed. See? Outstanding work ethic.
On to the food! So, I know some of you are going to turn your nose up to this one because it uses imitation crab {GASP!} but I never have understood why imitation crab got such a bad rep. It’s not crab… right. Got that. But that doesn't mean it’s not yummy. It’s made out of fish. Granted, they process the hang out of and then shape it into the little pieces but hello? What do you think lunchmeat is? When was the last time you saw a square ham or round turkey breast? Same deal, Lucille.
I love to make this stuff to have with crackers, serve on a nice crusty roll or to stuff pita with. If you’re in the habit of making tuna salad for lunches and the like, try this as an alternative. And I've yet to serve it to guests that it didn't all get gobbled up.
I’m going to call this seafood salad because... errrr... I can't call it crab salad. And because I often will chop up leftover steamed or boiled shrimp to add to it. Also because you can use this recipe to make any sort of seafood salad: imitation crab, shrimp, real crab, lobster or any combination of the like.
Recipe for Seafood Salad
Be sure to check out my recipe for Seafood Salad Stuffed Shells too! Individual seafood pasta salad servings made with jumbo pasta shells filled with an easy homemade recipe for seafood salad perfect for entertaining and lunch on the go!
Seafood Salad
Ingredients
- 14 ounces imitation crab
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dill
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Separate crab into individual pieces (only if compressed in package – if not, disregard) then chop into 1/2-inch pieces; add to a medium bowl.
- Add remaining ingredients then gently stir until well combined.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate to store.
Notes
- Finely diced scallions are great in this too! Consider adding some or feel free to use in place of the celery.
- If you don't have any Old Bay, I have a recipe for making your own in my post for Maryland-Style Crab Cakes.
I absolutely love this post. I can so relate to having a parent whose humble beginnings are remembered with fondness Food photography is a whole 'nother level of difficult. You do it welI because I always want to dive face first into each recipe you post. I have yet to photograph a single food that looks appetizing. (My kitchen is a little dark pit of hell.) The only way I can get a good picture is to take it outside on the deck where I have sunlight. Then the flies start coming and it doesn't look appetizing anymore.
ReplyDeleteDee, I agree this post was very heartfelt and relatable. I'm still new to photographing and still use my counter top, which is sometimes dirty from cooking and that's a whole, 'nother mess to clean lol
DeleteDee, thank you! For your compliment and for making me laugh!
DeleteMercy, you should see my kitchen by the time I'm done!
DeleteI loved the story as much as the recipe.................beautiful. I also grew up with humble beginnings but had a happy home.................just goes to show
DeleteNo onions??
ReplyDeleteThank you! I felt like there was something missing in this recipe. I'm going to add some green onions
DeleteYeah, or at least some scallions!
DeleteI use a minced medium scallion or 1/3 cup of finely diced red onion.
Delete... by the way, it's as delicious as your sunny narrative you've shared with us. Thank you
DeleteI use green onions.
DeleteYou are hilarious! I feel like I was sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of sweet tea having a real conversation. Love me some fake crab. Great post. Norma in NC.
ReplyDelete:o) Well, I write like I talk so I imagine it'd be about the same! My English teachers will learn to forgive me someday. I just know it!
DeleteI love, love, love this sweet post! And you, and your sweet Mama and Daddy, too! It's no wonder that they raised such a special daughter! I'm glad that you were blessed with such awesome parents, and especially glad that you got to spend this special time with your Dad. Thank you for sharing this story with us. I really did love this post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dawn (is that you, D?)
DeleteThanks for taking me down memory lane. As for the crab salad, I make mine just like yours. I've tried the real also, and it's just not the same.
ReplyDeleteI love this! The story and the recipe is awesome:) I find it cool that I'm not the only woman who calls her dad "daddy"! I had an ex-boss tell me one time (he's a high falootin' city man") that he prays his girls still called him "daddy" after they where grown. That's sad to me because that's what we southern woman say. Our daddy's don't need to pray for it to happen. BTW, I LOVE imitation crab! Your recipe and pictures make me wan't to go to the grocery store...like right this instant!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We say it kinda like "deddy" which is weird but it's just how we do :)
DeleteWas always told I said "deddy" to. from the SOUTH!! and PROUD. Oh how I miss my daddy. love your story & the recipe is great have made it 3 time in the last 2 weeks for lunch :):)
DeleteGirl you are uptown for reals all the time !LOL :-)
ReplyDeleteLove imitation crab good stuff !!! Thanks for sharing your recipes with us out here in cyberspace !!!
:o)
DeleteI'd give my right arm to see my daddy again.. bless his heart, he suffered dearly from cancer.. he would certainly love this salad.. and you can put onions in it or add what you normally would like.. this is the good stuff. also, we here in the south are blessed with the abundance of shrimp and well that is what I use.. thanks for the recipe. It's great that your dad helped you out with the back ground for your photo...
ReplyDeleteIt was a great day and I'm thankful for it :)
DeleteI absolutely love that you shared your daddy's old house! I love hearing (and seeing) any of your southern upbringing stories! And the board looks fantastic! Can you believe I have never tried the imitation crab? Not because it's imitation, but because I just don't know seafood! Living where I do, I have limited seafood exposure, and when I do... it's not fresh like what you know! Because you love it, I am going to watch for it when I am at one of the bigger stores and will give this a try!
ReplyDeleteDang, girl, you can't even get fake crab?! LOL! Now that's inland!
DeleteI just finished reading Mary Jane Hathaway's book and she gave your blog a shout out. I just had to look it up! And what post do I find?! One of my grandmother's favorites - Love it!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! Which book was it?
DeleteI love your trip down memory lane of your dad and you spending time together and he helping you with photography .and I LOVE seafood salad .your pictures are wonderful ...Thanks for a great recipe !!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteIck, don't like using imitation anything, sorry.
ReplyDeleteSeriously? Ick? Guess you didn't read that you can use whatever you want in the recipe? Or her sweet story. Jesus. Somebody shares something like this and you write "Ick"? What's wrong with people. Just move along if you don't like something. Last time I checked it didn't cost me anything to use this site.
DeletePeople are under the delusion that because they are on the Internet they can be as rude as they like. Smh. Like you say just move on and skip your rude comments. I for one love the salad.
DeleteRude is a nice word for such an "icky" person that hides behind anonymous. This is an awesome salad and is also good on a good bread as a sandwich. YUM!
DeleteLet's see ... Anonymous up there posted "Ick, don't like using imitation anything, sorry." Imitation=fake ... and then she/he posts the rude comment with a FAKE name ... what irony! I agree with the other posters ... if you read a recipe you don't think you will like, why in the world would you post a rude comment? Move along. You cannot even post a review of the recipe if you haven't even tried it ... SMH ... I think the recipe sounds great and I am going to try it, but I think I am going to add a little green onion to mine :)
DeleteSome of us can't afford the "real stuff". I bought a little container of seafood salad years ago, but it was swimming in mayo! I added fake crab and more celery and it was so good!
DeleteThanks so much, Hubby loves "seafood" salad and always scarfs it at any buffet that has it. I will try this recipe and see if he loves it also.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a fan of imitation crab. Not because it's not crab....it's the texture........too rubbery. With that said, I do appreciate a good seafood salad, and this one is good. Mine is similar, with a few tweaks thrown in. I combine it with shrimp like you do. I add chopped chives, celery, old bay, mayo, and cajun seasoning. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteI happen to love it too. Will now stop buying the salad prepared and make my own!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
From,
Proud New Englander lol
I'm not a big fan of using mayo for "salads" because it seems to be too blah so does the seasoning make it better or could I just use miracle whip like I do with my tuna and egg salad?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how the savory Old Bay and dill will be with Miracle Whip since it's so sweet but if you prefer MW in your other salads, I imagine you'll prefer it in this one too.
DeleteI have two suggestions if you want something a little different. I personally am not a fan of Miracle Whip or Duke's mayo alone. You can try either going to an Asian grocery store and buying Kewpie Mayo or you can buy or make Yum Yum sauce. The sauce is mayo based and slightly sweet so if you use this only add a little of it to whatever other mayo you use then taste it. Add more or less, to taste.
DeleteLove this recipie,and look forward to making this soon. Also loved your time with your Dad. I miss mine so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Do you use fresh dill?
ReplyDeleteEither. Use about a tablespoon if using fresh, though.
DeleteI've made an imitation crab salad many a time as I live in an area of NYC that has several Chinese supermarkets which sell the "crab" at a very good price. The problem I've had is how to best season it. The fish used has a very mild flavor and can be easily overwhelmed by the amount of mayonnaise used, and if too much seasoning (or the wrong seasoning) is added then then that's pretty much all I can taste. I like your suggestions - have never tried Old Bay or its components, nor dill - so am looking forward to making this. Many thanks for a post about what is perceived as a simple dish.
ReplyDeleteI love this recipe but I was wondering will it be the same if I was to replace imitation crab with fresh crab
ReplyDeleteI'm sending hubby to the commissary on his way home so I can satisfy a pregnancy craving with this! I just have to wait like, two more hours. Sigh. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOooo, Trisha, same heeere! Can't wait...
DeleteJust found your blog, you will make me laugh and you will make me eat good food. Looking forward to reading more! I love to eat the seafood salads at the buffets here in Las Vegas, can't wait to try this and have my seafood salad here at home. And your photography is wonderful, I really need to start practicing my camera skills!
ReplyDeleteOh how I enjoyed reading this post. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how I make mine. BUT you need to use Blue Ribbon mayonnaise. It's a southern brand. Better than Hellman's.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my most favorite posts from you! The recipe is great and I will be making this soon. Honey, the way you described spending time with your daddy was wonderful! My Daddy is a "Deddy" too! South GA girl coming out in me. My Daddy came from humble beginnings also- sharecropping - picking cotton, tobacco, etc....big family. They ate what they grew and had meat from what they hunted. He pulled himself up by his bootstraps, and with the work ethic and the integrity ingrained in him, he did very well in life - both personally and professionally. I can feel your love for your father, and I identify with it so very much! Your recipes are my "go to" when I am looking. I feel fortunate to have found your site and will continue to share it with my friends and family. I appreciate you! :)
ReplyDeleteKathy
Yummy Recipe.. I do a similar version of this but the first few ingredients are a great Base or to just eat alone!
ReplyDeleteI make this salad too, have for years. I add some green onion(usually just 2 chopped very very tiny) and the juice of 1/2 a lemon...I think the lemon give it an extra fresh taste.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture! I love that fork. This is just the recipe I was looking for, thanks. And, I love imitation crab :-)
ReplyDeleteI make the same salad with imitation crab. But call it "Surimi Crab Salad" because the idea comes from the surimi crab stick made in Japan.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mandy for sharing this seafood salad recipe and story about you and your dad. I was a daddy's girl too. There wasn't anything he couldn't make or do (at least in my mind). I personally prefer the imitation crab - no cracking involved. But I'm a lazy gal :)
ReplyDeleteMandy, I love this post!! It reminds me so much of my Daddy and Granny! I miss them so very much! Yep, I'm a "suthun" girl, too! I could easily picture the house and the memories going through your and your daddy's mind. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love this salad! It's one of my very favorite lunch treats. Sometimes I make it with a cajun seasoning and that's seriously yummy too!
ReplyDeleteSaw this on pinterest, even though I am one of your followers & it is great! Tryin to get back on some healthier eating habits & its helping me out this week! THANKS & love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI use equal portions of Mayo and ranch dressing and add green peppers, and green onions, as a famous Buffet restaurant uses
ReplyDeleteYeh Baby! What a scrumptious dish. I'm wild about seafood salad and could eat the whole dishful myself. Congrats on having this recipe featured at our Weekend Potluck party. MMMM! Keep 'em coming...please. And have a great weekend. http://www.thebetterbaker.blogspot.com/2016/01/gooey-grapes-weekend-potluck-205.html
ReplyDeleteGreat recipe and love the pictures! I add about a 1/4 cup of Vidalia onion to the same recipe, then put it in a small round plastic tub like margarine comes in and let it chill. Then I take and plop it onto a bed of torn up romaine leaves and add sliced cucumber, tomatoes and hard cooked eggs with dressing of choice on the side. It is to die for!!!
ReplyDeletePat Moondance
It would be wonderful to see a picture of your presentation!
DeleteTo this recipe I add 3 c. medium pasta shells, 1 lb. Creamy Coleslaw from the deli and 1 Tbls. chopped green onion. Delish!!
ReplyDeleteLove your story! Can't wait to try this recipe - thank you!
ReplyDeleteNew to this site and loved your story. I too like this recipe and make mine in similar fashion. Sometimes I add pasta to make it feel like more of a meel. When I do this I use the tricolor pasta. Also, I do add some red onion - just a personal preference. Loved the post.
ReplyDeleteI react poorly to real crab...so I was very happy to find this with imitation crabmeat..can't wait to try it!!! TY
ReplyDeleteI wa looking for some seafood inspiration for dinner and came across your blog....that was almost an hour ago and I haven't left yet. You are relatable, especially this story. My Mama was raised by sharecroppers under similar circumstances, and this hit home. Guess I am making some seafood salad now.
ReplyDeleteloved your story and the recipe, read the beginning and thought,,, jeez I just need the recipe, then I couldnt stand it and had to go back lol ... your adorable and so glad I went back... Love my daddy tooooo beh lolind every great dad is a great daughter !!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to SC in years, but this post make me miss Shoney's buffet(sniff)!!
ReplyDeleteI have also made a "seafood" salad that has evolved over many years! Started out as tuna salad with noodles and mayo and has now finally settled to one that I add imitation crab as well as imitation lobster, as well as salad sized shrimp and diced fresh tomatoe, scallion and celery! I season with pepper, celery salt and maybe a dash or two of Morton's Natures's seasoning! Makes a huge bowl that never lasts more than 48 hours in my house!
ReplyDeleteIf also adding Shrimp, should I cook it first, or is there a pre-cooked version at the Market? Sorry, stupid question for all the cooks out there, but I've made many of your recipes, & just wanted it to be as GREAT as the others.
ReplyDeleteChris, when I buy shrimp I get the cooked frozen ones, but shrimp are easy to cook if you get raw ones.
ReplyDeleteFrozen shrimp - put into a colander in the sink, then run cool water over them to start the thaw. Stop, wait a bit, then come back and run cool water over them again. It doesn't usually take very long.
Raw shrimp - To cook raw shrimp in water, add 1 pound shrimp (with or without shells) and 1 teaspoon salt to 3 quarts boiling water. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 1 to 3 minutes or until the shrimp turns pink. Watch closely to avoid overcooking (courtesy of Taste of Home)
I loved it, we don't buy mayo, so I used whipped dressing, oooo so tasty. Next time I will add pineapple and broccoli for experimentation.
ReplyDeleteThis house looks almost identical to the one my husband grew up in. When I met him he had moved into town in another house with another 4 rooms. the difference was - this one had running water. he spoke of how - when he was young - he would wake up on his bed of rags in the morning and the water on the stove was frozen. they had to go down to the well and bring up more water. put a fire on the stove etc. I could go on to describe everything he has told me about his childhood but it would take a book. Suffice to say - we live in a large house on quite a few acres and are grateful every time we walk down our 1/2 mile tree lined driveway to get the mail. We're not rich and we're very concerned about losing our health care which we had to go without for years because the costs were rising along with the deductibles. THank god for the ACA. We've actually never used the health care that we can now afford, and hopefully won't need it once it's taken away. hard to work your entire life up from nothing and then lose everything..........but I digress. thanks for posting your family background. we are 66 and 63 here and hoping to continue to stay healthy.........but one never knows......
ReplyDeleteLeave out the old bay and dill. and add chopped up celery and add garlic salt, that is how I make mine.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mandy! I love your recipes & read everything you print, but this one really touched my heart! Being from Kentucky, I'm southern as well & proud of it :) My Daddy has been gone for a long time now & we recently lost Mom on Dec. 20th :(, but I've always known I was loved & that's the best inheritance any child could wish for! God bless you & all that you do! Kathy
ReplyDeleteHi Mandy, I also am from Kentucky....and I love the story you told of your Dad....please share more with us as it looks like we all enjoyed it.....Looking forward to making this Seafood Salad.....I have eaten it before but never made it.....I was the oldest of 5 sisters and had 2 brothers.....we all said Daddy and Mommy, but my grandkids call their Dad, Dad and their Mom, Mom, my kids call me Mom.....I think it is just the Era we grow up in :)
ReplyDeleteI came here for the seafood salad and got a whole lot more! Your story brought a tear to my eye too! Excellent post all round, can't wait to make this salad too! Great job and great site!
ReplyDeleteErica @ thefirst-taste.com
Good morning! I make this with pasta just add more mayo. Making 5 lbs today for a party, everyone luvs it!!
ReplyDeleteHow much does 1 recipe make? How many would it serve? Having a small party and would love to include this on the menu. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you didn't put onion in it. I've never put the seasoning in mine but will have to try that. I love this seafood salad. If it tastes good to you, use it......that's my motto!!!! People who don't like imitation seafood can always use whatever seafood they like, just like you suggested. Don't know why they have to say something negative.
ReplyDeleteYrs. ago worked in a lovely nursing home and they made this seafood salad. They added chopped green olives, and almonds...and it was delish. I'm going to try this recipe of yours because the Old Bay sounds like a wonderful addition.
ReplyDeleteI make this a couple of times a month. I love it so much! It is so versatile. I put it on crackers, big buns, tortillas, just fork it into my pie hole, etc.
ReplyDeleteIts so wonderful to find a recipe with seafood that doesn't also have cream cheese!!!! I like cream cheese but its so strong and inhibits the seafood flavours. Thank you !!!!
ReplyDeleteI SO enjoyed the story about you and your Dad. It reminded me of my own Dad who died at the age of 72 in 1998. To make this short I think that someone broke the mold with our Dad's generation. Seldom do we find men or women with the work ethics as strong as theirs. Luckily they reared 2 daughters who have them. As for the Seafood Salad thank you so much. Coming from Florida I'm always on the look for fish or seafood recipes- especially when we spend the week at the beach.
ReplyDeleteAdding some fresh shrimpmeat would be awesome as well!
ReplyDeleteMy wife makes this, but adds canned shrimp. She calls it "Mermaid Salad", but no mermaids are actually in the salad.....
ReplyDeleteHa! :o)
DeleteThis sounds delicious. I love your story about your day with your dad. I sure miss mine. I also like your fork. I've never seen one like that.
ReplyDeleteI made this today and it is wonderful!! I highly recommend that everyone make this for a summertime meal when you don't want to heat up the kitchen cooking. Loved it!! I also added some cut up shrimp to the mixture.
ReplyDeleteVery sweet story! The salad looks amazing! Can't wait to try the recipe. Thanjs for sharing.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: can you use Miracle whip instead of mayo . I can't stand the taste of mayo , other than that it sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteIf you like MW, go for it!
DeleteYes you can. Not a big difference at all.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a little house like that, it looks perfect. Out in the country. Heaven.
ReplyDeleteMade this yesterday and took it to a cook out. It was a huge hit. I'll be making it again soon. Thank you for posting it!
ReplyDeleteYour background boards are AMAZING! I miss my Daddy so very much! You'll have great memories when he 'breaks up housekeeping' as my Mama calls passing on!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE immitation crab! So, I'm going to absolutely love this recipe! Thanks for sharing it! Love the boards in the pic!
I make this,I add a bit of chopped green onion,its so good and I love that old house reminds me of growing up 4 rooms,outhouse and drawing water out the well!Living!
ReplyDeletei love seafood salad!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this every single time I read it. Great story and so happy you have such good roots. Love the recipe too, btw.
ReplyDeleteI tried to send this a minute ago and think I failed. Im slightly computer challenged.. Your recipe and story are great! I also make a Seafood Salad, mine is Rotini Pasta, imitation Crab, Shrimp, Diced Sweet Pickles and a dressing of Mayo and Old Bay seasoning. Give it a try..
ReplyDeleteI really like seafood salad. I tried this recipe and thought it was delicious. It is much better after it has been in the fridge overnight. I usually Dr things up but made it just as the recipe called for and it was great! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI could eat this whole bowl by myself - YUM!
ReplyDeleteI love this salad! Always a hit!
ReplyDelete14-16 servings?? That would be just a taste at my house! How much per serving?
ReplyDeleteOne shell is a serving (from the perspective of these being appetizers).
DeleteFriendly's Restaurant used to have a seafood salad plate with a similar looking salad. It was awesome. They served Triscuit style crackers with it and I think a bed of lettuce. I am getting some "crab" today and trying your recipe. Thanks for the memories. My Grandparents never had indoor plumbing and lived in similar surroundings. We never knew we were poor. Life was good!
ReplyDeletei will be using real crab for this regardless and i will dump it into a bowl and pick through it for any shells or debris. then i will cook it along with some fresh shrimp deveined and seasoned and cooled. by telling me what imitation crab meat is made of you have just turned me off of imitation crab meat for good :( and i liked it once in a while, but not anymore. did you really have to do that? i forgive you for doing that.
ReplyDeleteI love this salad. I know when I see your name, a recipe will be the best. I am from Louisiana
ReplyDeleteand called my Daddy, Daddy. I made this salad for him at my home in Jackson only 3 months before he died. He loved it also. Thanks for your beautiful story. I went fishing with my Daddy on Lake Bistineau, where we caught catfish. I still miss him almost 60 years ago. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Peggy {big hugs}
DeleteLoved your story about you Daddy. But I about fell over laughing at your comments about imitation seafood, bologna and imitation crab - surf and turf for us economically chalanged - or just because we love it. Thanks for a wonderful read and recipe.
ReplyDelete