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seafood salad recipe
NatalieNatalie

Seafood Salad Recipe: Best Seafood Mix + Creamy Dressing Tips (Deli-Style at Home)

A creamy seafood salad made with shrimp and crab, a lemon-Dijon-Old Bay dressing, and a short chill for better flavor and texture.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz cooked small shrimp chopped if large
  • 8 oz imitation crab or lump crab meat gently chunked
  • 1/2 cup celery finely diced
  • 2 tbsp red onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 to 4 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • salt to taste
Optional add-ins
  • 1 to 2 tbsp finely chopped pickles or relish
  • 1 tsp capers
  • 1/2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • pinch sugar only if needed to balance excess acidity
  • pinch celery seed

Method
 

  1. Dice the celery and onion finely, chop the shrimp if the pieces are large, and gently chunk the crab so it keeps some texture.
  2. Pat the seafood dry well with paper towels before mixing so the dressing does not turn watery.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Old Bay, and black pepper until smooth.
  4. Taste the dressing and adjust with a little more lemon juice or seasoning only if needed.
  5. Add the shrimp, crab, celery, and onion to the bowl and fold gently until evenly coated.
  6. If the salad feels too thick, loosen it with another spoonful of sour cream or a small amount of lemon juice rather than water.
  7. Cover and chill for at least 30 to 60 minutes so the flavor comes together and the texture firms up.
  8. Taste again before serving, then adjust salt and lemon as needed.
  9. Serve on crackers, in lettuce cups, over greens, or in a toasted roll.

Notes

  • Dry seafood well before mixing.
  • Salt at the end to avoid excess moisture.
  • Start light on lemon juice and adjust later.
  • Fold gently to keep the seafood tender.
  • Chill before serving for the best texture and flavor.
  • Refrigerate leftovers for 2 to 3 days.
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