Simple & Fresh: Ina Garten Crab Meat Salad Recipe

This luxurious crab salad transforms simple seafood into a culinary masterpiece that whispers coastal elegance.

Fresh crabmeat brings oceanic richness to a classic dish bursting with delicate herbal notes.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of bright, crisp flavors.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with zesty undertones, making each bite a refreshing experience.

Delicate herbs and tangy components elevate this salad from ordinary to extraordinary.

Light yet satisfying, this recipe offers a perfect balance of protein and personality.

Sophisticated yet approachable, you’ll fall in love with its irresistible charm: get ready to savor every delicious forkful.

Why Crab Meat Salad Is Fresh and Elegant

• Savor Ocean-Fresh Flavors: This crab meat salad bursts with vibrant, delicate seafood taste that instantly transports you to a breezy coastal dining experience.
• Craft a Quick Gourmet Dish: Incredibly simple preparation means you can whip up a restaurant-quality meal in just minutes, perfect for busy home cooks seeking elegant yet easy recipes.
• Enjoy Versatile Serving Options: Whether nestled on crisp lettuce leaves or tucked into toasted rolls, this salad adapts beautifully to different serving styles, making it ideal for casual lunches or sophisticated gatherings.
• Celebrate Bright, Balanced Textures: Creamy dressing meets tender crab and crunchy celery, creating a delightful mix of smooth and crisp elements that dance wonderfully on your palate.

Must-Have Ingredients for Ina’s Crab Meat Salad

• Crabmeat: Fresh, sweet meat with delicate flavor, preferably lump or backfin for best texture.
• Chives: Mild onion-like herb that adds a light, fresh green note to the salad.
• Tarragon: Aromatic herb with subtle anise flavor that complements seafood beautifully.

• Celery: Crisp vegetable providing a refreshing crunch and subtle earthy undertone to the salad.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds the salad and adds rich, smooth texture.
• Sour Cream: Tangy dairy component that lightens the dressing and provides subtle richness.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic element that enhances seafood flavor and adds freshness.
• Dijon Mustard: Sharp condiment that adds depth and a slight kick to the dressing.
• Salt: Essential seasoning to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Provides a warm, subtle heat that complements the delicate crab meat.

How to Assemble a Perfect Crab Meat Salad

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

• Fresh crabmeat
• Crisp celery
• Delicate chives
• Fragrant tarragon

Step 2: Chop and Blend Vegetables

Finely dice celery into tiny pieces. Gently slice chives and tarragon into small, uniform cuts.

Step 3: Create Creamy Dressing Base

• Smooth mayonnaise
• Tangy sour cream
• Zesty lemon juice
• Bold Dijon mustard

Step 4: Combine Seafood and Vegetables

Tenderly fold crabmeat with chopped vegetables in a medium bowl, ensuring gentle mixing to preserve delicate meat texture.

Step 5: Dress and Season

Pour prepared dressing over crab mixture. Softly stir until ingredients are evenly coated. Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavors.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate salad for 15-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled on toasted brioche rolls or atop crisp lettuce leaves for a refreshing summer meal.

Pro Tip: Select high-quality, fresh lump crabmeat for the most exquisite taste experience.

Tips to Keep Crab Salad Light and Flavorful

• Select Premium Seafood: Pick fresh, high-quality lump crabmeat from reputable seafood markets or trusted brands for the most delicious results.
• Handle with Care: Fold ingredients delicately to preserve the beautiful crab lumps and prevent breaking the tender meat during mixing.
• Maximize Flavor Potential: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and develop deeper, more complex tastes.
• Customize Your Seasoning: Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and citrus levels to match your personal preference, creating a perfectly balanced dish.
• Serve at the Right Temperature: Prepare toasted rolls moments before plating to ensure maximum crispness and temperature contrast with the cool, refreshing crab salad.

Storage Tips for Fresh Crab Meat Salad

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer. Remove all air from the container to prevent bacterial growth and maintain the delicate crab meat's texture. Seal portions in individual vacuum bags for maximum preservation and minimal flavor loss.
• Glass Container Method: Choose a high-quality, non-reactive glass container with a tight-fitting lid. These containers prevent odor transfer and keep the salad's delicate flavors intact. Spread the salad evenly to ensure consistent cooling and easier storage.
• Temperature Control: Chill the salad quickly by placing the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Keep the temperature consistently below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth. Consume within 24-36 hours for optimal taste and food safety.

Fresh Variations on Ina’s Crab Salad

• Spicy Seafood Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the crabmeat mixture for a zesty flavor profile that brings heat and excitement to the classic salad.
• Mediterranean Inspired: Replace chives with fresh dill, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, and swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a tangy Mediterranean-style crab salad that feels light and refreshing.
• Asian Fusion Blend: Mix in minced ginger, chopped scallions, and a splash of rice vinegar. Drizzle with sesame oil before serving to create an Asian-inspired crab salad with complex, umami-rich flavors.
• Herb Garden Version: Experiment with a mix of fresh herbs like parsley, basil, and thyme instead of tarragon, creating a vibrant and aromatic crab salad that celebrates garden-fresh ingredients.

Crab Salad Takeaway You’ll Remember

Coastal culinary magic unfolds with Ina Garten’s crab meat salad, a delightful symphony of fresh ingredients and creamy textures.

Her recipe transforms simple components into an elegant maritime masterpiece that whispers seaside sophistication.

Mediterranean-inspired herbs dance alongside delicate crab, creating a sensory experience that transports palates to gourmet shores.

Chefs and home cooks alike can master this effortless dish with professional-level finesse.

Exceptional flavor profiles emerge through careful ingredient selection and precise mixing techniques.

Curious food enthusiasts: your weekend lunch solution awaits – savor, share this recipe with friends, comment below, and spread coastal culinary joy!

Ina Garten Crab Meat Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s crab meat salad delivers delicate ocean flavors with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Crisp vegetables and fresh herbs blend seamlessly with succulent crab, creating a light and refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings or elegant lunch experiences you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 450 grams (1 pound) jumbo lump crabmeat

Herbs and Aromatics:

• 4 teaspoons fresh chives, finely sliced
• 1 teaspoon fresh tarragon leaves, minced
• 1 stalk celery, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch (3 millimeters) dice

Binding and Seasoning:

• 80 milliliters (⅓ cup) prepared mayonnaise
• 45 milliliters (3 tablespoons) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste

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Instructions

1. Delicately flake the crabmeat into a medium-sized mixing bowl, ensuring no large chunks remain.
2. Finely dice the celery into precise, uniform pieces to provide a crisp texture and subtle crunch.
3. Mince the chives and tarragon into delicate, thin ribbons to distribute herbaceous flavor evenly throughout the mixture.
4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or 120 milliliters), sour cream (or 30 milliliters), freshly squeezed lemon juice (or 15 milliliters), and Dijon mustard (or 5 milliliters) until smooth and well-incorporated.
5. Gently fold the prepared dressing into the crabmeat and vegetable mixture, using a soft turning motion to prevent breaking the delicate crabmeat.
6. Season the salad with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
7. Cover the crab salad and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop.
8. When ready to serve, spoon the chilled crab salad onto lightly toasted brioche rolls or create an elegant bed of crisp mixed salad greens.

Notes

• Seafood Selection Matters: Pick premium, sweet-tasting crabmeat from reliable fishmongers or trusted seafood markets to elevate your salad’s overall quality.
• Texture Preservation Technique: Handle the delicate crabmeat with soft, careful movements to maintain its natural chunky structure and prevent breaking down the tender meat.
• Temperature Transformation: Refrigerating the salad allows ingredients to meld together, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that tastes more developed and sophisticated.
• Seasoning Sweet Spot: Taste and adjust seasonings incrementally, understanding that subtle tweaks can dramatically enhance the salad’s final taste profile.
• Serving Presentation Trick: Crisp, warm toasted rolls provide a delightful temperature contrast against the cool, refreshing crabmeat salad, creating a memorable dining experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 285 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg