Description
A vibrant and refreshing Crab Salad featuring flake-style imitation crab, fresh bell peppers, onions, and a zesty lime-cilantro dressing. This no-cook salad is perfect for a light meal or an appetizer, bursting with citrusy flavors and a touch of olive oil for richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 1 medium red or yellow onion, peeled and sliced into thin strips
- 3 bell peppers (a mix of red, yellow, and orange), cut into ¼ inch thick strips then halved
- 5 to 6 limes, juiced (divided)
- â…“ cup fresh cilantro, stemmed and minced
Seafood
- 14 ounce package flake-style imitation crab, flaked apart
Pantry
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (divided)
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Soften the onions: Place the sliced onions in a large bowl and sprinkle with ¾ teaspoon kosher salt. Using your hands, massage the salt evenly into the onions to help soften and mellow their sharpness.
- Let onions soak: Pour enough warm water into the bowl to fully cover the onions, then add the juice of ½ a lime. Allow the onions to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. After soaking, drain the onions and rinse under cold water to remove excess salt and citrus.
- Prepare and combine remaining ingredients: While the onions soak, prepare the bell peppers by cutting them into thin strips and halving them. Flake apart the imitation crab meat and mince the cilantro. In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained onions, imitation crab, bell peppers, cilantro, juice from 3 to 4 limes, olive oil, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix well to combine all flavors.
- Marinate the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Before serving, taste the crab salad and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve chilled alongside chips or tostones for a zesty appetizer or light meal.
Notes
- Using warm water to soak the onions helps to mellow their sharp flavor and improve texture.
- The length of marinating time can vary depending on preference; overnight yields the best flavor.
- If fresh lime juice is unavailable, bottled lime juice can be used but will slightly alter freshness.
- This recipe uses imitation crab, but fresh crab meat can be substituted if desired.
- Serve with tortilla chips, tostones, or fresh greens for added texture.
