Elegant Crab Meat Salad Recipe

Zesty Ocean Delight: Ina Garten’s Crab Meat Salad Recipe

Summer’s bounty sparkles with this delightful Ina Garten crab meat salad that promises pure coastal elegance.

Fresh ingredients dance together in a symphony of flavors and textures.

Delicate crab meat shines as the star of this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Light, zesty, and incredibly satisfying, this salad brings ocean-fresh charm to your table.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of herbs and seafood freshness.

The recipe captures Garten’s style of effortless gourmet cooking.

You’ll fall in love with this refreshing summer classic that elevates any meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 295 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients List for Ina Garten’s Crab Meat Salad

For Protein Base:
  • Crabmeat: Select fresh, high-quality lump crabmeat for delicate, sweet flavor and tender texture.
For Fresh Crunch:
  • Celery, Chives: Add crisp texture and bright, herbal notes to enhance the salad's overall freshness.
  • Tarragon: Provides a subtle anise-like flavor that complements the delicate crab.
For Creamy Dressing:
  • Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Create a rich, velvety base that binds ingredients and adds luxurious mouthfeel.
  • Lemon Juice: Brings zesty brightness and helps balance the creamy elements.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy depth and subtle heat to elevate the dressing's complexity.
For Seasoning:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential for bringing out the natural flavors of the crab and balancing the dish's overall taste profile.

Tools That Help You Build a Flawless Crab Salad

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining crab and veggies without crushing delicate meat.
  • Small Mixing Bowl: Ideal for whisking together creamy dressing ingredients.
  • Cutting Board: Essential for chopping celery and chives with precision.
  • Sharp Knife: Helps finely chop herbs and prep ingredients cleanly.
  • Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and dressing proportions.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Gentle tool for mixing crab salad without breaking meat.

Building Ina’s Salad Step by Step

Building Ina’s Salad Step by Step
  • Ingredient Gathering

Fresh crabmeat, crisp vegetables, and zesty herbs come together for a delightful summer salad that feels like a coastal breeze.

  • Flavor Fusion

Whisk together creamy condiments and bright citrus notes to create a luxurious dressing that will elevate the delicate crab.

  • Gentle Mixing

Softly fold the dressing into the seafood mixture, allowing each morsel to be kissed with tangy, rich flavors without overwhelming the delicate crab.

  • Elegant Presentation

Chill the salad to let the flavors meld and marry, then serve on a cool bed of greens or tucked into a golden toasted roll for a refreshing meal that transports you to a seaside cafe.

Simple Variations for Adding Brightness or Crunch

Simple Variations for Adding Brightness or Crunch
  • Opt for fresh, high-quality lump crabmeat to elevate the salad's taste and texture, ensuring a delightful seafood experience.
  • Experiment with different fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or basil to create unique flavor profiles that complement the delicate crab meat.
  • Prepare the salad up to 4 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify for a more delicious result.
  • Transform this versatile salad by serving it as a sandwich filling, stuffing for avocados, or as an elegant appetizer on crisp cucumber rounds or endive leaves.

Serve Up Ina’s Crab Salad the Refreshing Way

  • Create Elegant Summer Appetizers: Layer the crab salad delicately on crisp cucumber rounds or elegant Belgian endive leaves for a sophisticated starter that impresses guests.
  • Pack Gourmet Lunch Containers: Portion the crab meat salad into small mason jars with a fresh lettuce base for a chic, portable lunch that stays cool and delicious.
  • Design Brunch Presentation Plate: Arrange the crab salad beside soft-boiled eggs, garnish with fresh herb sprigs, and add lightly toasted sourdough triangles for a restaurant-quality brunch experience.
  • Transform into Seafood Sandwich: Spread the crab mixture generously on toasted brioche bread, add a thin slice of avocado, and sprinkle with extra chives for a luxurious sandwich option.

Chill, Pack, or Plate: Storage Tips for This Dish

  • Refrigerate Quickly: Store the crab meat salad in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator within 2 hours of preparation to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Consume Swiftly: Enjoy the salad within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture, as seafood-based dishes are best when eaten fresh and lose quality over time.
  • Keep Chilled: Maintain the salad at a consistent temperature below 40°F to preserve its delicate flavors and ensure food safety for you and your guests.
  • Avoid Freezing: Do not freeze this crab meat salad, as the mayonnaise-based dressing and delicate crab texture will break down and become watery when thawed.
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Elegant Crab Meat Salad Recipe

Elegant Crab Meat Salad Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 14 reviews

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

Description

Ina Garten’s classic crab meat salad blends delicate seafood with crisp vegetables and a light, zesty dressing. Coastal flavors shine through in this elegant dish perfect for summer gatherings or elegant lunch plates.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) jumbo lump crabmeat
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) sour cream
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) mayonnaise
  • 4 tsp fresh chives, finely sliced
  • 1 tsp fresh tarragon leaves, minced
  • 1 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • ½ tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 stalk celery, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch (3 mm) dice
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Carefully deconstruct the crabmeat into gossamer-like flakes within a spacious mixing vessel, eliminating any substantial fragments.
  2. Vegetable Preparation: Transform celery into precise, uniform miniature cubes, creating a symphony of crisp textural elements and subtle garden-fresh notes.
  3. Herb Integration: Delicately transform chives and tarragon into ethereal ribbons, ensuring comprehensive aromatic distribution throughout the maritime composition.
  4. Dressing Composition: Harmonize mayonnaise, sour cream, freshly extracted citrus essence, and Dijon mustard within an intimate mixing receptacle, whisking until a seamless, silken emulsion emerges.
  5. Fusion Process: Tenderly incorporate the vibrant dressing into the marine mixture, employing a gentle folding technique that preserves the crabmeat’s delicate architectural integrity.
  6. Seasoning Refinement: Elevate the profile with judicious application of kosher salt and freshly crushed black pepper, calibrating flavors to achieve a nuanced gastronomic experience.
  7. Flavor Maturation: Encase the culinary creation within a protective membrane and allow it to rest in the refrigerator’s cool embrace, permitting flavor complexities to intertwine and deepen.
  8. Presentation: Artfully cascade the chilled nautical delicacy atop golden-toasted brioche or create an elegant landscape of crisp, verdant salad greens.

Notes

  • Freshness First: Use high-quality, fresh lump crabmeat for the most delicate and sweet flavor profile.
  • Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients softly to maintain the delicate texture of the crabmeat and prevent breaking.
  • Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the salad briefly to allow herbs and dressing to harmonize and enhance overall taste.
  • Serving Suggestions: Opt for toasted brioche rolls or crisp greens to complement the rich, creamy crab mixture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 295
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Sophia Rivera

Sophia Rivera

Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

  • Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Seasonal and Local Ingredient Utilization
  • Dessert Menu Planning
  • Culinary Event Coordination

Education

Austin Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.

San Antonio Culinary Institute

  • Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
  • Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.

Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. 

Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.

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