Fresh Lump Crab Salsa Salad With Tomato and Peppers, Old Bay Seasoning and mango, are quick to make for a large gathering or unexpected guests!
Calling All REAL Crab Lovers!
If you have had the opportunity in your life for fresh crab meat to cross your path, then for sure you are a crab lover by now!
For most folks, crab cakes may have been your first introduction to crabs.
And if you had your first crab cake done properly, the way I made them on Guy’s Grocery Games a while ago, then you know how fabulous crab meat can be prepared!
Crab Snobbery
Allow me, for a moment, to speak to you as a crab snob.
I have a long line of crab experts in my family, as my sister is married to a fourth generation waterman, from Maryland.
It is a lifestyle that brings some of the finest seafood, to our table; crab, oyster and fish.
If you’ve only had crabs in the form of a simple crab salad, or crab salad sandwiches, then you are in for a treat right here!
Fresh Crab vs Imitation Crab Meat
While there is no substitute for real fresh crab, at least the companies that make imitation crab meat are up front about it.
Imitation crab meat is actually a mixture of a variety of types of fish, processed in such a way as to ‘glue’ them together into some sort of a crab substitute.
Kind of like hotdogs are made from various parts of the pig and put together in a usable way, for those who like pork.
Substitutes For Crab Meat
However, speaking once again as a snob, please consider other substitutes for fresh crab than imitation crab meat.
You would be happier, and it’s totally worth the extra money, using tuna, swordfish steaks, salmon or scallops as a substitute for favorite crab recipes.
I have another crab salad dish I love, Crab Towers, in which I have substituted salmon in place of crab, for those who have shellfish allergies, and it was a hit as well.
Crab Salad Without Mayonnaise!
Undoubtedly, I am confident you will find this ‘healthier’ crab salad salsa recipe, the best you’ve ever had.
And so allow me to show you the best way to go about making this recipe!
First, I want to say that while I am not against making crab salad sandwiches with sour cream or mayo, at least make that type of crab salad with homemade mayonnaise.
I am happy to show you how to make a fabulous homemade mayonnaise out of extra virgin olive oil and a little fresh lemon juice in a matter of minutes.
Healthy Crab Salad Salsa With Tomato And Peppers
Summertime is our favorite salad season, enjoying a variety of salads we look forward to eating alongside summer meals.
However, this crab salad salsa recipe is my all time favorite because:
- It is a meal in and of itself
- Less calories than crab salad with mayo, or other salads with mayo
- Colorfully made with a variety of garden fresh veggies
- Beautifully presented in crab shells or other shells, for a unique presentation
What Goes Into A Crab Salsa Salad?
Because crabs are in season throughout the summer months, I had to create a salsa that was derived from summer’s beautiful harvest of tomatoes and peppers, both bell peppers and jalapeño peppers.
In order to bring a balance of sweet to the heat of the jalapeños, I added chopped sweet mangos, juicy acidic tomatoes, the crunch of raw peppers and the beautiful sweet, delicate meat of the crab.
While crab is often steamed with Old Bay Seasoning, at least where I come from, I added just a little more to the salsa to round out all the flavors.
For a fascinating read, check out my friend JMore Living’s story on the Jewish Roots of Old Bay Seasoning.
What To Do With Leftover Crab Salsa Salad?
Most likely, you will not have any leftover crab salsa salad, but if you do, store in an airtight container, and serve with tortilla chips the next day!
Another great way to enjoy the crab salad salsa the next day, is by making a lettuce wrap out of the crab mix.
Equipment Needed
- Crab shells (if possible), or other shells for serving
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
- Citrus press
- Garlic press
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients Needed
- Lump crab meat
- Red onion
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red and green bell peppers
- Jalapeno peppers
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh parsley or fresh cilantro
- Mango
- Celery
- Lemon or lime juice
- Olive oil
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
Lump Crab Salsa Salad With Tomato and Peppers
Equipment
- Cutting Board and Chopping Knife
- 6 Crab Shells, or other shells
- Citrus press
- Garlic press
Ingredients
- 1 lb Lump crab meat
- 1/2 cup Red onion chopped
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup Red and green bell peppers chopped
- 1/4 cup Jalapeno pepper chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic crushed
- 1 cup Fresh parsley or fresh cilantro chopped, extra for garnish
- 1 cup Mango chopped
- 1/2 cup Celery chopped, small
- 1/4 cup Lemon or lime juice
- 1 tbsp Old Bay Seasoning or other seafood seasoning
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, place all of the ingredients, except for the crab meat. Toss gently until they are well mixed.
- Gently fold in the crab meat, taking care not to break apart the beautiful lumps of crab meat.
- Place a dollop of the crab mixture into each shell, or other serving dish, and garnish with either fresh parsley or cilantro and serve.
Video
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.