I’m on a mission to create another healthy version of a traditional summer dish – crab salad – and I am convinced you’ll enjoy this one. I accidentally created a dressing that I consider to be the best one out of my kitchen so far. It really brought the food to life, with the lime and tangerine juices adding a wonderful zesty zing!
Now in the title of this recipe is tangerines but for this particular one, I had to use mandarin oranges because my market didn’t have any. You can use either one but I am recommending tangerines simply because they are a personal preference. You can also use imitation crab to save on cost and toss in some shrimp if you are in the mood. Imitation crab is low in calories, fat and cholesterol so it’s great for salads. It is, however, fairly high in sodium so keep your portion to 4 ounces or less if that is a concern for you.
The crab salad with mayo that is so popular in the summer months has 381 calories with 250 of those calories coming from fat. The saturated fat count is 21% so if you watching your waistline, this dish, with approximately 157 calories, is a better choice.
I loved the flavours that the abundance of fresh herbs added to this salad and there were lots of textures, with the diced celery and spring onions adding a nice crunch.
You must try this dressing on other salads as well because it’s a real keeper. I included Thai chili pepper and you can adjust that according to your heat threshold.
I hope you’ll consider making this for your July 4th celebrations. Happy Independence Day to my American readers!
- 12 ounces mixed greens
- 1/2 cucumber, peeled, sliced and diced
- 1 stalk of celery, sliced and diced
- 1/2 pound cooked crab or imitation crab (additional shrimp if desired)
- 6 tangerines, zest 1 tangerine and juice 2. Peeling the rest and breaking into segments
- small handful of fresh, basil, mint and cilantro, chopped
- 2 scallions, chopped (for garnish)
- DRESSING
- 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- juice of one lime
- juice of 2 tangerines
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 Thai chili pepper, seeded and finely diced (half of this will be fine for most people)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- freshly ground pepper to taste.
- Put greens in large salad bowl and add remaining ingredients, tossing lightly.
- Mix dressing ingredients, stirring well. Drizzle dressing over salad slowly while mixing leaving about1/2 the mixture left over. Place extra dressing on table for those wanting extra.
42 Comments
Anita Rivera
July 3, 2014 at 6:04 amGood morning Robyn! I can imagine you in your kitchen, experimenting then stumbling across this beautiful mixture of a dressing! Sometimes, it’s the mistakes that turn into an innovated version of a classic! That happened to me once with a Spanish dish I was making. I accidentally reached for the CINNAMON instead of the cumin, BUT…..the old Mexican flavors of chili powder, cinnamon and even a dash of vanilla brought back my mother, in spirit, for the moments I tasted this dish.
OK, this looks like a keeper, for sure! Like you, I prefer tangerines over mandarin oranges, and I think I’d try some shrimp with this one!
Thank you for the well-wishes for a great fourth! We are headed out to a friend’s home for a relaxed evening of diverse dishes from South Africa, Asia and Latin America!
HUGS, Anita
Robyn
July 3, 2014 at 2:40 pmOh, I love the sound of that combination, Anita! I hope you try the dressing because it has a little bit of everything. Have a great holiday, sweet friend. xox
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
Bam's Kitchen
July 3, 2014 at 6:51 amLove that salad dressing Robyn! I can just imagine the sweet, sour, spicy and savory taste of your salad dressing just by reading your ingredient list. I also love different textures in my salad. Crispy, crunchy, smooth and tender in each bite. Your crab tangerine and fresh herb salad sounds like a perfect summer light meal any day of the week. Sharing and spreading the word. Have a super weekend. Take care, BAM
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Robyn
July 3, 2014 at 2:41 pmThanks so much, Bobbi! I just loved the way it all came together. I know your schedule is crazy busy so I really appreciate you taking the time to visit. Happy 4th!
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
cheri
July 3, 2014 at 9:52 amHi Robyn, This is a perfect dish for the Fourth! love the colors, the crunch and the dressing. I can see the dressing on many different salads. Love it!
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Robyn
July 3, 2014 at 2:44 pmThanks so much, Cheri! Have a wonderful Independence Day!
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods
July 3, 2014 at 7:00 pmYum, this salad looks delicious with all that crab and tangerines. I love trying new salad dressing and this one sounds very tasty. Pinning
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods recently posted…BLT Potato Salad
Robyn
July 5, 2014 at 5:51 amThanks so much, Cindy! I loved the crab with citrus. Thanks for the pin, too! Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
Linda
July 3, 2014 at 7:09 pmGreat combination of flavors Robyn. Sometimes adding completely called for ingredients can make a dish wonderful and so creative. I love crab and therefore this salad looks so appetizing. The dressing sounds wonderful. Summertime is perfect for creating and enjoying those lovely salads. Lots of love from WW.
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Robyn
July 5, 2014 at 5:52 amThanks so much, Linda. I really like to change it up with salads in the summer months so I was happy with the results. Big hugs and loads of love to you. oxo
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
Mindy
July 4, 2014 at 11:35 amWhat a lovely combination of freshness Robyn – can’t wait to try this. I love crab though sadly my husband is allergic to shellfish. He can have shrimp but oysters will put him in the hospital within an hour. I think I will try this with the imitation crab so he can eat it too : ) Happy belated Canada Day my friend!
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Robyn
July 5, 2014 at 5:54 amI think you’ll really enjoy this, Mindy. I really loved the explosion of flavours in my mouth, especially with the dressing.
Had a great Canada Day here. Enjoy your weekend! xoox
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
Stephanie
July 5, 2014 at 10:31 amYes please!! Now, I do like crab and I have been craving crab lately (not sure why) so maybe this is what I need to make to satisfy that craving 🙂
Another amazing recipe, my friend. Thanks for sharing! Hugs to you!
Stephanie recently posted…Fourth Of July Blessings!
Robyn
July 6, 2014 at 9:50 amI hope this satisfies your craving, Stephanie. I loved the crab with citrus – it really made it come alive.
Thanks so much for visiting and your sweet words, friend. oxox
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
July 5, 2014 at 2:12 pmI am so excited about trying this! It looks wonderful and I am always craving salads in the summer! Pinning right now! Thank you for sharing it with us at Foodie Fridays!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted…6 Simply Wonderful Starters and #FoodieFridays no.3
Robyn
July 6, 2014 at 9:51 amI’m so glad you like it, Michelle! I love trying different salads in the summers. It’s so great to get good local produce. Always a pleasure to visit with you on Fridays. Thanks for the pin!
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
Marla
July 6, 2014 at 10:09 amHi Robyn,
Sounds absolutely delicious. I’m not a real crab lover but this I could eat and enjoy. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays Blog Hop. Will twitt & Pin.
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Robyn
July 7, 2014 at 9:10 pmThanks so much, Marla. Maybe you could try it with imitation crab – you might like that better. Thanks for the tweet and pin! Have a great week.
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
Margarita
July 6, 2014 at 11:20 amThis sounds so fresh and delicious. I love crab in the summer! Would love if you added it to Blog Hop Party! Hope to see you there 🙂
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Miz Helen
July 7, 2014 at 11:19 amHi Robyn,
What a beautiful salad, I just love the crab with the tangerine, sounds delicious! Hope you have a great week and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Robyn
July 7, 2014 at 9:11 pmThanks so much, Miz Helen – I really loved the combination and will be looking for more ways to marry seafood with citrus. Always a pleasure to join up with you each week.
Robyn recently posted…Crab, Tangerine and Fresh Herb Salad
Adelina Priddis
July 7, 2014 at 12:55 pmoh that looks like a great salad and better for you version of crab salad. thanks for bringing it by Foodie Friday
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Lori Hart
July 8, 2014 at 10:50 amI found your recipe over at the Mabey She Made It Tuesday link party. I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you would come over and share this recipe. I’m sure our party goers would love it!
Have a wonderful day!
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Eco Friendly Homemaking
July 8, 2014 at 9:11 pmOh this salad looks so delicious!!
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July 9, 2014 at 2:01 am[…] Crab, Tangerine & Fresh Herb Salad by Simply Fresh Dinners […]
Amy | Club Narwhal
July 9, 2014 at 10:23 amRobyn, this salad looks so refreshing! I love crab cakes and am digging your healthier update 🙂
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Robyn
July 9, 2014 at 4:35 pmThanks so much, Amy! I just love lobster and crab in the summer months. Loving your videos! Wow, you are a natural!
Trish
July 9, 2014 at 11:01 amthis sounds absolutely delicious! I love summer salads with seafood. 🙂
Trish
Robyn
July 9, 2014 at 4:35 pmThanks so much, Trish, and thanks for your visit. I am popping over to your blog now. 🙂
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Katy Blevins
July 10, 2014 at 12:07 pmThis sounds delightfully tasty!!!! Must try!
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Mary
July 13, 2014 at 6:10 pmThis sounds absolutely wonderful. I’ve never thought of using tangerine juice and with the lime sounds so good, I love anything citrus. I like the idea of using imitation crab and/or shrimp and all of the other ingredients
is making me hungry now! I’m going to make this dressing, it’ll be nice to try this for a change over my regular oil and vinegar. Have a blessed week!
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Robyn
July 14, 2014 at 6:34 amThanks so much, Mary. I just loved this dressing and wondering if I should trademark it, lol. It really made the salad come alive 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting. Looking forward, as always, to visiting you this morning. Have a great week.
Robyn recently posted…Ginger Shrimp with Apricot Salsa
Cheryl
July 13, 2014 at 9:56 pmI love it when something delicious is created by mistake! This salad sounds absolutely delicious! I’m so glad you share your talents with us at The Yuck Stops Here recipe link party every week. I’m looking forward to what you’ll bring us next week! You’ve been pinned and stumbled! HUGS
Robyn
July 14, 2014 at 6:34 amThanks so much, Cheryl! It’s always fun to link up with you girls! Have a great week and thanks for sharing.
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Diane @ Vintage Zest
July 19, 2014 at 12:56 amCongrats! You are featured on this week’s Do Tell Tuesday link party and have been pinned to our features board! Feel free to grab a button and link up this week too. 🙂 http://www.vintagezest.com/2014/07/do-tell-tuesday-32.html
Diane @ Vintage Zest
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Robyn
July 19, 2014 at 6:29 amThanks so much, Diane! Off to grab a button now 🙂
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