Best 5 Key West Crab Salad Recipes

Calling all seafood lovers! Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Caribbean with our tantalizing Key West crab salad. This zesty and refreshing dish, inspired by the vibrant flavors of the Florida Keys, promises an explosion of taste in every bite. Dive into our collection of three unique crab salad recipes, each offering a distinct twist on this classic summertime treat.

Our first recipe, the Classic Key West Crab Salad, takes you on a traditional adventure with its simple yet satisfying combination of fresh crab meat, celery, onion, and mayonnaise. The secret lies in the perfect balance of flavors, ensuring that each ingredient shines through while complementing the delicate sweetness of the crab.

Next, we present the Tropical Key West Crab Salad, a vibrant medley of flavors that captures the essence of the Caribbean. This recipe incorporates a delightful mix of tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and papaya, along with a hint of lime and cilantro. The result is a salad that bursts with freshness and transports you to a tropical paradise with every bite.

Last but not least, our Spicy Key West Crab Salad adds a fiery kick to the classic dish. Get ready for a tantalizing blend of heat and flavor as we introduce jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and a touch of Sriracha. This recipe is sure to satisfy those who crave a little spice in their life, creating a perfect balance between the sweetness of the crab and the piquant seasonings.

So, whether you prefer your crab salad classic, tropical, or spicy, our collection has something for everyone. Get ready to relish the taste of the Caribbean with these three delectable Key West crab salad recipes.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

LOW CARB KEY WEST CRAB CAKES WITH MUSTARD SAUCE

Low Carb Key West Crab Cakes with Mustard Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Categories appetizer

Time 29m

Yield 18 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 pound blue crabmeat
1 tablespoon small diced red bell pepper
1 tablespoon small diced green bell pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon heavy mayonnaise
2 eggs
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Maryland-style crab seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
2 tablespoons canola oil
Mustard Sauce, recipe follows
1/4 cup heavy mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Steps:

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients, except oil and Mustard Sauce until blended. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. With a tablespoon, carefully spoon poker-chip size mini-cakes into the pan. (The batter will be very loose since there are no bread crumbs, but once the egg in the mix starts to cook they will hold together fine.) Cook on 1 side until firm, about 2 minutes, and then flip and cook for about 1 more minute. Cook in batches as necessary. Serve hot with mustard sauce.
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

KEY WEST CRAB SALAD

Key West Crab Salad image

A yummy spinach salad with an orange dressing. Tuna or shrimp can be substituted for the crab meat.

Provided by jen

Categories Crab Salad

Time 15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

3 cups fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
2 cups leaf lettuce - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
1 cup finely shredded cabbage
2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
1 red onion, sliced in rings
2 (6 ounce) cans crabmeat
½ teaspoon orange zest
3 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh chopped tarragon

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine spinach, lettuce, cabbage, oranges, and onions. Add crabmeat, and gently toss until combined. Set aside.
In a small jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine orange zest, orange juice, vinegar, oil and tarragon. Cover, and shake until well mixed.
Pour orange dressing over spinach salad, and gently toss until salad is well coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 182.8 calories, Carbohydrate 18.5 g, Cholesterol 74.8 mg, Fat 3.7 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 19.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 311.7 mg, Sugar 12.7 g

KEY WEST FRUIT SALAD

Key West Fruit Salad image

Variety of fruits tossed with dressing of lime juice and tequila gives you a savory salad - a perfect accompaniment to your food.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Side Dish

Time 2h25m

Yield 28

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup fresh or bottled Key lime juice or regular lime juice
2 to 3 tablespoons tequila or Key lime juice
1 teaspoon grated Key lime or regular lime peel
14 cups cut-up fresh fruit (pineapple, strawberries, kiwifruit, grapes)

Steps:

In 1 1/2-quart saucepan, heat sugar and water to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved; remove from heat. Stir in lime juice and tequila.
Let lime dressing stand until room temperature. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until cool.
Stir lime peel into dressing. In very large bowl, carefully toss fruit and dressing. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 70, Carbohydrate 16 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 0 mg, Sugar 13 g, TransFat 0 g

KEY WEST STYLE CRAB CAKES

Key West Style Crab Cakes image

Got this recipe from a cookbook my husband & I picked up on our honeymoon in the Keys. A few years later, stuck in snowy, land-locked IA where we live, we decided to make up a few batches of these with some Rum Runners and have a "Wish We Were in Key West" dinner party with a few friends.

Provided by Parrot Head Mama

Categories Crab

Time 51m

Yield 2-3 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 lb crabmeat (I use canned,lump)
2 slices bacon (cooked crisp & crumbled)
2 tablespoons onions (minced)
1/2 red bell pepper (cleaned & chopped fine)
1/2 green bell pepper (cleaned & chopped fine)
1 celery rib (chopped fine)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/4 cup fresh herb (parsley, cilantro, basil)
3 -4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
salt and pepper
1 pinch cayenne
1 egg (beaten)
1 -2 tablespoon heavy cream
3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons oil

Steps:

When preparing bacon, remove from pan and sautee onions, peppers, celery & garlic in bacon drippings.
Transfer to a bowl, add crabmeat, herbs& breadcrumbs.
Fold in egg & cream.
Form into patties, size of your choice.
Wrap & refrigerate atleast 30 minutes.
Pan fry cakes in butter/oil til crispy on both sides, approximately 3 minutes per side.
Serve with horseradish/mustard sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 617.2, Fat 35.5, SaturatedFat 17.4, Cholesterol 272.4, Sodium 2418, Carbohydrate 21.3, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 4.3, Protein 51.3

KEY WEST TROPICAL SALAD

Key West Tropical Salad image

I found this delicious salad recipe in one of my cookbooks, similar to the one served in a famous restaurant, and am posting it here in request of some ladies. Enjoy.

Provided by pink cook

Categories Tropical Fruits

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 iceberg lettuce, broken into bite-size pieces (to make 4 cups)
1 large carrot, shredded
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
6 strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup red grapes
1 cup bread cubes, toasted (or cruotons)
1 tablespoon cinnamon, ground
1/4 cup cashew nuts, coarsely broken
1/2 cup cream of coconut (Coco Lopez)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup orange marmalade (or use less to your own taste)
4 tablespoons key lime juice (or to make 1/4 cup)

Steps:

In large bowl combine lettuce pieces, shredded carrot and fruits. Refrigerate until chilled.
In a medium bowl, mix dressing ingredients and refrigerate.
Before serving, add the croutons sprinkled with the ground cinnamon into the salad.
Add cashews pieces and serve with the dressing.

Tips:

Choose fresh crab meat: Fresh crab meat has a sweet and delicate flavor, making it the best choice for crab salad. If you can't find fresh crab meat, frozen or canned crab meat can be used as a substitute, but the flavor will be less pronounced.
Use a variety of vegetables: Vegetables add color, texture, and nutrients to crab salad. Some good choices include celery, onion, cucumber, and bell pepper. You can also add fruits like apples or grapes for a sweet and tangy flavor.
Use a light dressing: A light dressing will help to enhance the flavor of the crab meat and vegetables without overpowering them. Mayonnaise is a classic choice for crab salad dressing, but you can also use Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a vinaigrette.
Season to taste: Be sure to season your crab salad to taste with salt, pepper, and other spices. Lemon juice is also a good way to brighten up the flavor of the salad.
Serve immediately or chill: Crab salad can be served immediately or chilled for later. If you are chilling the salad, be sure to cover it tightly so that it doesn't dry out.

Conclusion:

Crab salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. It's also a great way to use up leftover crab meat. With its fresh, light flavor and variety of textures, crab salad is sure to please everyone at your table.