Description
This Crab Pasta Salad is a light, flavorful, and colorful dish combining sweet crab meat, al dente pasta, fresh vegetables, and a tangy natural dressing. Perfect for sunny days, quick meals, or potlucks, it refreshes with its herbaceous brightness and satisfying textures, making it an easy and versatile option for lunch or a side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood and Pasta
- 1 cup crab meat
- 2 cups cooked medium-shell or rotini pasta
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon capers
Dressing
- 1/4 cup plant-based mayonnaise (natural)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (natural)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta and Crab: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Gently fold in crab meat, keeping it chunky.
- Chop the Vegetables and Herbs: Dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, finely chop red onion, parsley, and dill to release their flavors.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together plant-based mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add pasta, crab, chopped vegetables, herbs, and capers. Pour dressing on top and toss gently to coat while preserving the crab’s texture.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors. Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing taste.
Notes
- Use fresh crab meat for best flavor and texture.
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain structure in the salad.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance flavor melding.
- Toss gently to avoid breaking crab pieces and bruising vegetables.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or acidity to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: crab, pasta salad, seafood salad, light salad, quick meal, summer dish, plant-based mayonnaise, fresh herbs
