This Imitation Crab Salad is packed with flavor and lot of crunch, filled with celery, onions and rich cheddar cheese, and it’s easy to throw together!
I’ve told you before, when The Husband goes out of town, I go a bit craaaaazy in the kitchen.
This time was no different. Doesn’t this little number look like it has a bad hair-do?
I quickly whipped up one of my very favorite go-to salads that I make when I’m alone.
And it has all sorts of yummy ingredients like this:
Heart healthy. It says so right there on the package.
And crunchies like this (celery and lots of onions)! Don’t forget the cheddar cheese! Things are just better with cheese.
Until it becomes something beautiful and wonderful, like this:
A fresh, light and savory salad that just feels right when you’re all curled up, snuggled on the couch with your favorite blankie and the remote.
The remote. Alllll to yourself. Imagine it… You can, can’t you???
Don’t you think it’s freeing??? No wonder they like it! 🙂 There is power behind that multi-buttoned complicated gadget. 🙂
Now, don’t get me wrong – I don’t make this because he’s out of town. It’s not like The Husband doesn’t lovethis salad. Trust me. He does. Maybe too much…it’s just that…sometimes…I don’t like to share.
And, instead of chancing a fork-fight for the last bite, I just make a big batch when he’s gone and when he comes home to what he doesn’t know is left-overs, I smile brightly and say “Look what I made you honey!” all sing-song-y-like.
Little does he know that 1/2 of that baby was polished off the night before.
Ssssshhhh!!!…this is our little secret. Just between us. Ok? Pinky swear?
A girl should just not have to fork fight. Know what I’m sayin’?
One other thing… You know…, as I was writing this recipe and I wrote ‘1/2 teaspoon celery seed (optional)’ I chuckled a little bit. Why do we write ‘optional’? Aren’t all the ingredients optional really? I mean, you can put them in, or you can choose not to. Optional’s not really an option, is it? You either do it or you don’t. It’s like the remote. YOU are in control. Not like we would know that. I mean…’owning’ that remote is such a remote possibility.
I crack myself up. 🙂
But, in my defense wrt optional, this recipe already has celery in it. So technically, you don’t need the celery seed, but I thought it added a nice punch of flavor. Thus, the optional.
Somehow, I feel justified.
Enjoy!
Imitation Crab Salad
Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce package flaked imitation crab meat
- 1 2.25 ounce can sliced black olives, drained
- 4 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup red onion chopped
- 1/2 cup celery chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed optional
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Serve! p.s. you can serve this crab salad in an avocado (pit removed) or as is!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
Ah, enjoying to little pleasures of being home alone. I love when I can have the remote all to my self. My husband is notorious for constantly canning the channel. I can just be getting into a program and *click* channel changes. Five minutes later *click* changes it again. He does this over and over! LOL
I’ve got to pick up some crab this salad looks really good. I love how quick and easy it is to put together 😀
Kristi says
I think it’s in their DNA! Hahahaha! It was glorious having the whole night to myself with this yummy salad and actually staying on a channel 5 minutes! LOL!
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
This salad sounds delicious! I bet my fork would fight for this too. Also, I would definitely add the celery seed even if it’s optional. 😛
Kristi says
Thanks Ruby! The celery seed did add something special!
Kelly says
I like not having to worry about making dinner for my husband when he goes away too – it’s nice when you get to make what you want 🙂 This salad looks like an awesome light and refreshing dinner – haha I would totally fork-fight for the last bite of this too – it sounds fantastic!
Kristi says
Thanks Kelly! It is really good and so refreshing and light! You don’t feel over-full after eating it!
marcie says
Once again, you have me laughing. Yes, the remote does have power that’s all encompassing, as does making whatever you want for dinner with no complaints! haha This salad looks delicious, Kristi! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie! The remote is such a mystery to me. When I get it, I’m like “How do I work this thing?” Hahaha!
Josefine {The Smoothie Lover} says
I seriously get so happy whenever I go to your site and see the new layout! It’s so pretty.
Imitaton crab meat makes me think of summer so badly. I use to eat it all the time when we are in our summerhouse. I usually eat it plain though. Mainly because I’ve never thought about adding it to a recipe – haha. But it sounds so delicious! Definitely doing this next time 😀
Kristi says
I love it plain too – but it’s great when you add goodies to it! Thank you for the compliments on the new design. I am totally digging it!
Trisha says
I am a huge fan of crab salad! will have to give this a go this season x
Kristi says
Thanks Trisha! I really love crab salad too – it’s so light and refreshing compared to some other meals!
Johlene says
This salad I must remember for those warm summer days when you dont feel like something heavy.. By theay I love your new look blog, it looks really nice!! Xx
ps. I saw your reply on my comment on your precious post re: photography and I appreciate your offer.. I´ll definitely be taking you up on it.. Thanks my internet-friend (lol)! Xx
Kristi says
Thanks Johlene – I love the clean look of the blog too! I’m happy to help you any time with photography. You PM me any time and I’ll do what I can!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
You are always just hilarious! Crab salad with a bad hair-do? Fork fighting with Romeo?!? Optional optionals (yeah – you’re right about that one)?!? So funny! And yes … I totally pinky swear! Also, you are a rock star for concocting something so beautiful out of one of my secret faves – fake crab – I loooooove it!!!!). I throw it into wraps and quesadillas and eggs … wherever I can! And here’s where you’ve gotta pinky swear: shhhhhh … I often just sneak bits right out of that handy zippered pouch! Now don’t go telling on me, m’kay?? 😀
Kristi says
Shelley, I just love you! Your comments always bring a smile to my face and make me laugh. And oh no – your secret is TOTALLY safe with me. LOL!!! And, thanks for the tip, I have never thought to put fake crab in eggs. Mind spinning!
Juliana says
Nice and refreshing salad Kristi…I like the different textures…and the colors…
Have a great week my dear 😀
Kristi says
Thanks Juliana – I love this salad so much. Do you suppose it’s inappropriate to petition to marry it? Hahahaha!
Medeja says
Crab salad looks just delicious. I would just probably skip olives as I don’t like them..but otherwise it sounds really good!
Kristi says
Thank you! I am so glad you like it! Enjoy!
whatjessicabakednext says
I love crab salad, this looks so fresh and colourful!
Kristi says
Thanks Jessica – it truly is one of my very favorites. I hope you love it!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
A perfect salad for me. I would only skip celery since I don’t like it. Luckily, it is optional 🙂 🙂
Kristi says
Ooooo Daniela! You can help me! 🙂 I have a friend that doesn’t like celery either. I would love to hear what you use instead for crunch! I’d love to make her something she likes that doesn’t have celery so if you have a substitute, I’d love to hear it! 🙂
Sarah & Arkadi says
simple and elegant salad!
Kristi says
Thanks Sarah! I love that its light and low fat too! Have a wonderful week!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
It’d totally fight for this too – it looks amaaaaaaazing! And super pretty too : )
Kristi says
The colors are great, right? I love it! Have a beautiful weekend and happy cooking!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
My husband is not a fish fan, so I could totally see myself making this for just little o’ me. 🙂 This looks incredibly delicious! I actually thought that I was the only one who cooks with imitation crab meat because I’ve never seen any other food blogger mention it. Love love love this! Super refreshing and pretty. 🙂
Kristi says
I’ve never seen another blogger mention imitation crab either – I was a bit reluctant to do it myself. Yet, I’m finding out quickly that many of us eat it and love it! So, why not? It’s easy, delicious, low fat and can add a lot to a recipe! And, this salad is really good! Thanks for the comment Tina!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
I actually LOL! ALOL 😉 You crack me up. Seriously.
I also like to get a little cra-cra in the kitchen when Hubs is out of town. It’s nice to be able to try stuff out and not have the judgement phase. And if I make sometime awful, at least I’m the only one who has to suffer! But this salad is going on the menu soon.
[I think I have been jumping around your site for the past hour. Dropping you little comments as I go. I think I need to stop and go to bed. It’s getting a little OOC. Borderline stalkerish. Sorry.]
Kristi says
Oh noooooooo!!! Don’t leave. You’re welcome to stay on my site forever. 🙂 I love it when you visit. Besides – you are where I get my best material! Hahaha. Did you ALOL at that? 😉
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
ALOL! 🙂
No worries. I’ll be back! I can only imagine what you thought this morning when you looked at your recent comments and half were from me! Awkward.
Kristi says
I thought “I’m so glad Lindsey’s here! – I love Lindsey!” That’s truly what I thought. So, you visit any time and stay as long as you want. 🙂