• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
CucinaByElena
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Quick & Easy
  • Classics
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Quick & Easy
    • Classics
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    • cover photo,
      Best Loaded Vegetarian Quiche Recipe
    • cover photo.
      Best Pizzelle Cookies Recipe (Classic Italian Cookie)
    • cover photo.
      Easy Cheesy Baked Rotini Pasta Recipe (Italian)
    • chicken drumsticks in a white serving dish with lemon and parsley as garnish.
      How Long to Bake Chicken Drumsticks at 400 Best Baked
    • Leftover Turkey Tacos Recipe: Thanksgiving leftovers
    • cover
      Best Jimmy Dean Sausage Dip Recipe with Cream Cheese
    • What's the Best Bread for Stuffing? (Thanksgiving)
    • cover photo.
      Hasselback Sweet Potatoes Recipe with Maple Syrup
    • cover photo.
      Oven Baked Chicken Breast Recipe (Thanksgiving)
    • cover
      Easy Fresh Cranberry Relish Recipe (3 Ingredients!)
    • cover
      Chicken Pot Pie Casserole Recipe With Biscuits
    • cover photo- veg stuffing.
      Best Vegetarian Stuffing Casserole Recipe
    Cucina by Elena » Recipes » Classic Italian Recipes

    King Crab Salad Recipe (Simple and Easy)

    Published: Mar 25, 2021 · Modified: Aug 25, 2023 by Elena · 3 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Alaskan King Crab Salad Recipe. Simple. Easy, Delicious! A must-try recipe that genuinely highlights fresh seafood. Served with a light vinaigrette.

    Here are some more well-loved seafood recipes to try: Classic Lobster Bisque Recipe (Easy), Italian Seafood Salad (Insalata di Mare Antipasto), Crispy Calamari Air Fryer Recipe (Easy and Light), Seared Scallops Charred Lemon and Butter, and my favorite stuffed salmon recipe.

    platted final dish with crab and salad on a large platter

    King Crab Salad Recipe (Simple and Easy)

    This King Crab Salad Recipe is simple and delicious as an appetizer or a light meal. We've served king crab this way ever since I can remember and it is THE BEST. Dare I say, I like it better this way than dipped in butter!

    Simple Ingredients

    You will be surprised at how easy this dressing comes together with just a few ingredients in a bowl and finish by whisking it together

    Vinaigrette

    • Olive oil (good quality)
    • Red wine vinegar
    • Salt and pepper

    Crab Salad

    • 2 Alaskan King Crab legs (shelled)
    • 2 cups Romain salad, roughly chopped
    • A few leaves of red radicchio salad (mainly for decoration)

    K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Seafood)

    When it comes to fresh seafood my advice is this: KISS (Keep it Simple Seafood). Highlight the natural fresh flavor of the fish or seafood by keeping the ingredients simple and natural.

    This Alaskan King Crab is so flavorful you don't need to add much to make it the star of the show.

    Alaskan King crab legs are succulent, mildly sweet and tender, with snow-white meat with highlights of bright red. Add a little drizzle of light vinaigrette and that is all you need!

    big chunks of crab meat on a plate with salad

    What Sets King Crabs Apart?


    King crabs have an incredible combination of size and taste. While often compared to snow crabs due to their long legs, king crabs have a unique flavor and texture.

    Their meat is softer and more delicate than crabs from the east coast and has an almost sweet taste.

    Alaskan king crab have a sweet and succulent flavor with moist, firm and rich meat. The claw and leg meat is somewhat firmer than the body meat.

    King crab legs are always precooked and can be served either hot or cold.

    Plus, since no fish farming is allowed in Alaska, you’ll know your king crab is wild and sustainably caught.

    Can I Substitute Imitation Crab

    In short, no! I do not substituting imitation crab for this recipe since the taste and texture is completely different. The beauty of this dish is the pure and fresh- real crab meat.

    If you have a shell fish allergy than imitation crab is your best option.

    Variations

    We love the simple and beautiful flavors of this recipe as it is. If you want to change things a bit- try these ideas:

    • Add a little lemon juice for freshness
    • Use Bay Seasoning
    • Add a little fresh dill
    • Toss in some red onion
    • Toss with pasta to make a tasty pasta salad
    • Garnish with finely chopped green onions
    • Make it creamy by adding a little mayonnaise or sour cream

    More pasta salad ideas: Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Asparagus, Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad, Easy Italian Style Pasta Salad with Arugula, and Greek Style Pasta Salad.

    Don't forget to make some Easy Soft Italian No Knead Bread! You can make a crab salad sandwich with any leftovers!

    Serving Suggestions

    We love this salad as an appetizer. It goes well with Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta in Cream Sauce, Orzo Pasta with Shrimp, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Artichokes, and a bright lemon dessert Frozen Lemon Dessert (Creamy Lemony Treat).

    Tips for Shelling Crab Legs

    Watch this super helpful VIDEO for shelling crab legs.

    From my cucina to your table- Mangia! Mangia! (Eat!)

    More Delicious Seafood Recipes for YOU

    Orzo Pasta with Shrimp, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Artichokes

    Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta in Cream Sauce

    Spaghetti Frutti di Mare (Seafood Pasta)

    Insalata Di Polpo

    You will love this simple and easy King Crab Salad Recipe as an appetizer, light meal, or side dish!

    Don't forget to leave a star rating and review! I love to connect with all of you through my recipes.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    king crab on a plate with lettuce and cup of salad dressing

    King Crab Salad Recipe (simple and easy)

    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 review

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Alaskan King Crab Salad Recipe. Simple. Easy, Delicious! A must try recipe that truly highlights the seafood. Served with a light vinaigrette. 

    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 Alaskan King Crab legs (shelled)
    • 2 cups Romain salad, roughly chopped
    • A few leaves of red radicchio salad (mainly for decoration)

    Vinaigrette (this will make more than you need)

    • ½ cup good quality olive oil
    • 2 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
    • Salt and Pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1.  Remove the crab meat from the shell. See tips from VIDEO.
    2.  Make vinaigrette by combining the vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl and whisking until well combined
    3. Place Romain salad on a large platter. Add radicchio to decorate and add color. Place shelled crab meat on top of salad. Drizzle desired amount of vinaigrette on top of the salad and crab.
    • Author: Elena Davis
    • Prep Time: 20 min
    • Cook Time: N/A
    • Category: Savory
    • Method: Italian
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Keywords: Crab, Alaskan King Crab, salad recipe, seafood recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cucinabyelena on Instagram when you make the recipe! I would love to see it. Don't forget to leave a STAR RATING and REVIEW on this post. Thank you!

    Related

    More Classic Italian Recipes

    • Orzo vs RIsotto
      Orzo vs Risotto - What’s the Difference? + Recipes
    • close up of plated mushroom risotto in a white bowl with a fork in the bowl.
      Easy Creamy Mushroom Risotto Recipe
    • How Long to Cook Whole Chicken Recipe Perfect & Juicy- cooked roast chicken in a large roasting pan with lemons and garlic on the side.
      How Long to Cook Whole Chicken Recipe Perfect & Juicy
    • cover photo.
      Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Recipe (Garlic with Oil Pasta)
    FacebookTweetPinYummlyEmail

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Renee says

      May 16, 2023 at 8:02 am

      Want to make this for dinner. Do you cook the crab legs ? I’ve seen them frozen in grocery stores.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Elena says

        May 16, 2023 at 8:06 am

        Hi Renee- in most stores they are already cooked and all you have to do is thaw them and take them out of the shell. Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Elena says

      February 03, 2022 at 4:09 pm

      We've made this recipe since I was little and it a simple classic to make for a special occasion!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

    Primary Sidebar

    WELCOME to CucinaByElena

    Profile photo of Elena Davis in her kitchen leaning on the kitchen counter. She is wearing a blue button up shirt and her Cucina By Elena apron counter

    Ciao! I'm Elena. Welcome to my cucina (kitchen). I was born in Italy and grew up spending my summers on the beaches of Sardegna cooking, eating, and sharing tasty Italian meals. Here you will find trusted, achievable, and delicious Italian (and more) recipes that highlight fresh ingredients with a simple process.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin Recipe with Marinade
    • cover photo.
      Fall Harvest Salad with Apple and Butternut Squash
    • Best Side Dishes to Serve with Pork Chops
      Best Sides for Pork Chops (55 Side Dish Recipes)
    • cover photo.
      How to Cook Stuffed Pork Chops Recipe (in Oven)

    Featured In...

    Multiple brand images.

    Related

    Footer

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Work with me

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for FREE & NEW RECIPES

    Contact & Social

    • Contact
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Tiktok

    Copyright © 2022 CucinaByElena

    Made with Amore

    Related

    0 shares
    • Save
    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!