Crab and Shells Salad
Crab and Shells Salad is a classic American deli-style pasta salad featuring tender imitation crab (surimi) mixed with shell-shaped pasta, crisp vegetables like celery and red onion, and a creamy, tangy dressing. It's a popular picnic and potluck dish, often found in the refrigerated sections of supermarkets across the United States.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This salad is a good source of protein from the imitation crab and pasta, but is typically high in fat and calories due to the mayonnaise-based dressing. A single serving provides a solid amount of selenium and vitamin B12, with a rough calorie estimate of 350-450 kcal per cup.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbs | 30 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Selenium | 28 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 220 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 3.5 mg |
| Manganese | 0.8 mg |
| Vitamin C | 8 mg |
| Iron | 1.8 mg |
| Zinc | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
While it looks luxurious, the 'crab' is almost always surimi—a processed fish paste designed to mimic crab meat—a fascinating example of food technology making seafood flavors accessible and affordable. Nutritionally, it's a study in contrasts, offering lean protein alongside a significant dose of dietary fat from the dressing.
