
Crab Pasta Salad is a refreshing, creamy chilled dish that combines tender crab meat, cooked pasta, and crisp vegetables like celery and red onion in a mayonnaise-based dressing. It is a popular summer staple in American cuisine, particularly associated with coastal regions and picnics. The dish often features a blend of herbs and seasonings for a bright, savory flavor.
This salad is a balanced meal, providing a good source of protein from the crab and carbs from the pasta, with a moderate amount of fat primarily from the mayonnaise dressing. A typical serving offers key nutrients like vitamin B12, selenium, and phosphorus, and generally ranges from 350 to 450 calories.
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbs | 30 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 620 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Selenium | 30 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 220 mg |
| Zinc | 2.5 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 3 mg |
| Omega-3 (EPA+DHA) | 250 mg |
| Vitamin C | 5 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
Culturally, it's a quintessential American potluck and beach food, representing a casual, communal way of enjoying seafood. Nutritionally, the crab meat is a lean, high-quality protein source that is low in calories but rich in omega-3 fatty acids and essential minerals.