Scrumptious spicy crab salad is both easy to make and bursting with flavor. This recipe features a combination of crunchy vegetables and imitation crab sticks coated in a creamy tandoori mayonnaise dressing. Enjoy them on their own with salty crackers, or use them to elevate your sandwich or wrap game. This versatile dish is perfect for any occasion and will leave your taste buds wanting more.
This delicious and hearty crab salad features hot and spicy crab sticks and crunchy vegetables, all dressed in a mouthwatering tandoori mayonnaise dressing. With just the right amount of spice, tang, freshness, and crunch, this recipe is incredibly easy to make.
I am adding a delicious Indian twist to the spicy crab salad recipe that is hugely popular in Japanese steakhouses and sushi restaurants. While the main ingredient of the kanikama salad is the same, which is kani sticks, I am adding a twist to the spicy mayonnaise dressing. The Japanese crab salad is made using a dressing of Japanese mayonnaise, rice vinegar, sriracha sauce, and soy sauce.
This creamy crab salad is made using imitation crab meat or kanikama. Scoop it up with salty crackers, or use it to make spicy crab rolls for sandwiches or wraps. It also works as a tasty side dish or even a main meal. This easy spicy kani salad recipe is also great as a side dish or even a main meal. Give this easy spicy kani salad recipe a try today!
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Why you will love this recipe?
- Unique and delicious: With a combination of crab sticks, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy and spicy tandoori mayonnaise dressing, it offers a bold and exciting flavor profile that is sure to please.
- Easy to make: This dish is incredibly easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Versatile: This salad can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as on its own as an appetizer or as a filling for sushi rolls, sandwiches, or wraps.
- Customizable: You can customize the recipe to your liking by adjusting the spice level or adding your favorite ingredients, such as avocado, masago (roe), or sesame seeds. You can also use grilled shrimp along with crab in this salad.
What is imitation crab?
Imitation crab sticks are made of surimi fish (which is a mild white fish) that has been processed with starch. It is also called crab sticks, krab sticks, kanikama, kani kamaboko, or seafood sticks. The processed fish is shaped to resemble crab legs, hence giving them the name.
Although kani is not a traditional Japanese dish, they were popularized in American Japanese restaurants. These crab sticks are added to sushi rolls, sushi rice, and salads.
Ingredients
Imitation crab: I have used crab sticks. You can also replace it with real crab meat.
Veggies: I use cabbage, carrots, cucumber, red onion, and red bell peppers.
Dressing: I am making a tandoori mayo dressing for the salad using mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and spices.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for dressing - mayonnaise, sour cream, ground ginger, garlic powder, chili powder, garam masala, ground cardamom, sugar, salt, and fresh lime juice (or fresh lemon juice). Mix well and set it aside.
Step 2: Cut the imitation crab into thin strips. Cut the red onions, carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, and cabbage into thin strips. In a large bowl, take the crab and the julienned veggies. Add the creamy mayo dressing to the crunchy vegetables.
Step 3: Toss the salad well. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and store it in the refrigerator for one hour to let the flavors absorb before serving.
Useful tips
Let the salad sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to one hour before serving. This will help absorb the flavors from the kani salad dressing.
You can replace imitation crab with lump crab meat. You can also use a mix of cooked seafood to make spicy seafood salad.
Use mini fresh cucumbers (like Persian cucumber) with fewer seeds. Lime juice can be replaced with lemon juice in this salad.
You can also use store-bought tandoori seasoning instead of spices to make the salad.
Any leftover imitation crab salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
If you are on a keto diet, use real crab meat instead of krab sticks to make this easy salad.
This salad also complements well with onigiri (Japanese rice balls). Finish the meal with this delicious Japanese Cheesecake.
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Recipe card
Spicy Crab Salad with Tandoori Mayo Dressing
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 8 oz imitation crab sticks (or crab meat) cut into thin slices
- 1 small cucumber cut into thin strips
- 1 small carrot cut into thin strips
- ½ cup cabbage shredded
- ¼ cup bell peppers cut into thin strips
- ½ small red onion sliced
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder adjust as per taste
- ½ teaspoon garam masala (use store-bought or homemade garam masala)
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Make the tandoori mayo dressing:
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for dressing - mayonnaise, sour cream, ground ginger, ground garlic, chili powder, garam masala, ground cardamom, sugar, salt, and lemon juice.
- Mix well and set it aside.
Prep the crab and veggies:
- Cut the imitation crab into thin strips. Cut the onion, carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, and cabbage into thin strips.
Make the salad:
- In a large bowl, take the crab and the prepared veggies. Add the mayo dressing and toss the salad well.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and store it in the refrigerator for one hour to let the flavors absorb before serving.
Ksenia says
The tandoori seasoning here was EXPLOSIVE! I loved the depth of flavor it added. Honestly, superb. It went so well with the delicate crab salads and took it to a whole other realm.
Kris says
This was the most unique mayo dressing we've ever had and it worked beautifully with the crab. The whole family enjoyed it!
Healing Tomato says
There is nothing better than a spicy salad! This is an easy salad and the flavors are so unique. Beautiful photos, too.
Rachna says
I loved the burst of flavor from tandoori mayo in this salad. Tandoori mayo is my favorite condiment. It went so well with the sweet taste of crab meat. Really delicious.
Jennifer says
This is so tasty! I loved the sweetness from the veggies and it was meaty enough to be a full meal!