Spicy Crab Salad is a creamy and flavorful seafood dish that combines imitation crab meat and shrimp with a spicy kick, thanks to chili garlic sauce. It’s a delicious twist on the classic salad, perfect for seafood lovers. For another delicious seafood appetizer make sure to try our Fried Shrimp!

a wooden bowl of crab louie with cut lemons.

What is Imitation Crab?

Imitation crab, or “surimi,” is a mix of whitefish paste and fillers, making it an affordable alternative to real crab. While it contains added salt and preservatives, it’s a budget-friendly option for recipes like Crab salad or sushi rolls. For a more authentic flavor, you can substitute canned lump crab meat, which is pre-cooked and ready to use.

Frozen vs. Fresh Shrimp

In this recipe, frozen shrimp is a convenient option. Use peeled, deveined, and cooked shrimp, removing tails if necessary. Larger shrimp can be chopped into smaller pieces, while smaller shrimp can be left whole. Be sure to thaw frozen shrimp before use.

If you prefer fresh shrimp, cook it beforehand by sautéing in olive oil over medium-high heat until it turns opaque and pink. Deveining shrimp is optional and mostly for aesthetic purposes, but peeling is essential. If pre-cooked shrimp isn’t available, don’t hesitate to prepare fresh shrimp—it’s simpler than it seems.

How to Make Spicy Crab Salad

To create this creamy seafood dish:

  1. Combine imitation crab, shrimp, diced celery, green onions, bell peppers, and a splash of lemon juice in a bowl.
  2. Prepare the dressing by mixing mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and whipping cream until smooth.
  3. Toss the seafood mixture with the dressing, ensuring everything is well-coated.
  4. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a day before serving.
A wooden bowl of spicy crab salad with lemons and celery.

Spicy Crab Salad

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Spicy Crab Salad is a creamy, seafood-packed dressing with imitation crab, shrimp, and a spicy kick from chili garlic sauce.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups imitation crabmeat chunks
  • 1 bag (16 ounces) frozen cooked shrimp, thawed, tails removed, peeled, deveined, and chopped
  • ½ cup celery, diced
  • ¼ cup green onions, minced (plus more for garnish)
  • ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup chili garlic sauce
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the crab meat, shrimp, celery, green onions, bell pepper, and lemon juice. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and heavy whipping cream until smooth.
  • Pour the dressing over the seafood mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
  • Garnish with green onions and serve.

This recipe is adapted from Iamhomesteader’s Minnesota Crab Louie.

More Tasty Appetizers

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