The Best Seafood Salad Recipe (Publix Copycat)
Make the best seafood salad at home with this easy copycat recipe! Try this perfect copycat of Publix’s popular Neptune Salad recipe. Creamy, flavorful, and made with imitation crab! Great for sandwiches, wraps, or over crackers. For more recipes like this, see the Recipe Index page.
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I’ve been obsessed with Publix Neptune Salad for years—seriously, it was my go-to! Not the Publix Deluxe Seafood Salad they have now with peppers in it. The peppers ruin it for me. But now that I live in California, there’s just no store-bought seafood salad that even comes close.
One thing that sets the Publix version apart is the mini shrimp they mix in. You can totally add them to this recipe if you’d like, but they’re not a must. In fact, the Which Wich Crab Salad and Subway’s Seafood Sensation didn’t use shrimp, and they were still absolutely delicious.
(And yes, I said were—both of those amazing sandwiches are sadly gone now.) That’s exactly why I came up with my own version—to satisfy my seafood salad cravings anytime I want!
This recipe is my best attempt at combining the flavors from all three to get that perfect balance of creamy mayo, light seafood flavor, and just the right seasoning. Oh—and if you were a fan of Subway’s version, be sure to check out my Subway Seafood Sensation recipe Copycat too!
MORE CRAB RECIPES
Here is my version of this favorite recipe:
Imitation Crab Seafood Salad Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1- 1.5 lb imitation crab, flake style
- 6 oz can of tiny shrimp (optional, I never use them)
- 2-3 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- ¼ cup mayonnaise, I use Hellmann’s
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ⅛ tsp dried dill or to taste
- salt & pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Remove imitation crab from the package and separate the flakes.
- In a large mixing bowl, chop and shred the crab.
- Add all ingredients and mix well.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight to blend flavors.
- Serve with crackers for a snack, on deli rolls for a crab salad sandwich, or mixed in with pasta for a great pasta salad dish!
MAKE AHEAD: Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
FREEZER: Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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AMAZON COOKING FAVS
If you’ve been missing the classic Publix seafood salad, Subway, or Which Wich, this recipe is the perfect way to bring those nostalgic flavors back to your kitchen.
This imitation crab salad is creamy, flavorful, and super easy to make—perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or enjoying by the spoonful.
Whether you stick with imitation crab or add a few mini shrimp, this seafood salad is sure to hit the spot. Give it a try, tweak it to your taste, and enjoy a deli-style favorite anytime, right at home!
Seafood Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1- 1.5 lb imitation crab, flake style
- 6 oz can of tiny shrimp, optional, I never use these
- 2-3 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks , diced
- ¼ cup mayonnaise, I use Hellmann's
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ⅛ tsp dried dill, or to taste
- salt & pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Remove imitation crab from the package and separate the flakes.
- In a large mixing bowl, chop and shred the crab.
- Add all in ingredients and mix well.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight to blend flavors.
- Serve with crackers for a snack, on deli rolls for a crab salad sandwich, or mixed in with pasta for a great pasta salad dish!
NOTES
Nutrition
The nutrition info provided is only an estimate. See my nutrition disclaimer for more info on how the data is collected for recipes.
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I love the Don’s Prepared Foods’ Deluxe Seafood Salad bought at Publix. I tried to make one (using some other recipe found) and it was…meh… more like a dip. I found your recipe, and will makw it as soon as I get skrimps. (Until I saw your recipe, Don’s website, and Don’s listed ingredients, I didn’t realize the salad had shrimp. Also, curiously, the only vegetable listed in Don’s ingredients is celery; and no fruits, spices, or sour cream are listed the ingredients. But Don’s makes/sells so many prepared salads, it is likely are variations.
Thank you for the recipe. Can’t wait get skrimps and make the salad.
I love Publix seafood salad and just bought some within the last week. It did also have red onion, red and green bell pepper which have it a wonderful flavor. These are not in the above recipe.
Hi D, Last time I was in FL visiting family in Tampa, I bought some and it had red & green bell peppers as well. Very strange, I picked most of them out. I am not sure why they would add them. Not for me.
Publix gets their crab salad from Dons food distributor,. I think it is. I believe it’s Don’s Deluxe seafood salad.
Can you freeze this
No probably not.. although I do freeze my seafood enchiladas and they come out great when reheated.
I can’t believe how good this recipe came out! It really tastes like Publix version, thank you so much
P.s. I added macaroni to this (it’s a great variation for a party!)
I’m not certain how old this post is but am curious if you use a specific brand if imitation crab flakes? Thanks for your time!
Hi Lisa,
I’ve tried a few different kinds. My favorite brand is Aquamar. I haven’t been able to find it in my local stores here in CA. I am currently using Crab Classic Flake Style. They usually have the larger 1.5 lb packages of imitation crab. Louis Kemp is ok too. To me, it doesn’t have as much flavoring as the two brands I mentioned first. I hope this helps! Thanks for reading!
Kim
Thank you for this. My son works at Publix, so he’s gotten me hooked on and now they don’t really send it to the store at all. They used to make it themselves, but now because of the way things are, they quit. So this will tide me over. Looks great, I’m gonna try it soon.
I used to work at Subway when in College, their seafood salad back then we used bit of Old Bay seasoning!
Glad to see I was no the only Publix Seafood Salad aficionado. Here in Orlando it has the small shrimp too.
I’ve been making this for over 20 years now, and I use fresh shrimp and fake Krab in equal amounts, with a *lot* less mayonnaise & sour cream mix. The recipe is *always* requested, so I print up large labels with the recipe and stick to 3”x5” cards and place near the dish. They’re usually all gone by event’s end.
Glad you like it, Nikki, Personally, I usually leave the shrimp out. And yes you can use a lot less mayo. My husband hates mayo so I go with less. It’s in the recipe to use less if needed too. Thanks for reading.
Kim
I don’t taste onions in our local many Publix here in north Fl, however roasted red peppers are definitely in the mix.
I also live in Florida and LOVE Publix seafood salad. I was told years ago ( I think by an employee) that the secret ingredient was a small amount of sweet pickle juice mixed in with the mayo. So if I make my own, I do that. It adds a bit of sweet plus the light taste of something extra….
Ooh, thanks for the tip! I may try adding some.
After seeing your post, I HAD TO have some Publix Seafood Salad on crackers for an after dinner snack. Next time I crave it, I will use your recipe to make my own. Thank so much….
This is the best way to eat publix crab salad – over crackers!
We use dukes mayonnaise and a little pickle relish or pickle juice green onions and your other ingredients and it’s the closest to the taste of the Publix version
do you think they may use a “salad dressing” like Miracle Whip or the like??? Dukes mayo ?
No, I do not think my Publix uses Miracle Whip. You can use whatever mayo you like to make the recipe your own.
Kim
Do *not* use Miracle Whip.
Thank you Kim! I have been trying to decipher the Publix seafood salad secret to the mayo…my favorite part of it. not too tangy and not too much. Sour cream and Mayo!!! of course! This copycat was pretty perfect.
Looks so yummy. I always use cucumber when I make it. Try it. It’s fantastic!
This is excellent. I used Just Mayo by Hampton Creek and greek yogurt. Perfect for an appetizer or eat it with a fork. Yum! Thank you!
Thanks for a simple and yet delicious recipe I can tell just from the picture (and ingredients) that it is what I was looking for dinner tonight!
Instead of Hellmans Mayo try Hellmans Balsamic Mayo
Love the recipe
mred
Sounds great Ed! I will try it, I love Balsamic anything!
Kim
I’ve been looking for a recipe to make. Going to try this one today.
Never made it before, have always bought from grocery store but can no longer find any that I like. Will let you know how it turns out. Never thought of making it as a sandwitch. We’ll see. ;)
I love it on a salad sometimes and also, try serving it on a croissant ?! Heavenly!!!
I like this recipe. Publix does taste different (I grew up and still live in Florida). It is very good. There are so many variations that taste good but I feel to get it closest to the big “P” is less is more. When you taste publix seafood salad you taste the sweetness of the seafood (imitation or not). So don’t over season. Just keep it simple.
Made this and made it again! And plan on making over and over lol! The weather is getting so hot and I’ve been searching for something besides pasta salads, chicken salad, etc. and this was a wonderful alternative! I have a multi generation family to feed from 80 year old mom down to 2 year old grandson. And I am happy to say all were happy. Mom wants me to fix this once a week and she’s my most picky eater! Just wanted to say thanks so much for the recipe! You made my family happy and that’s a really wonderful thing!
Oh you are so welcome Dani, you are so sweet! Tell your mom I am glad she likes it. Have a great weekend!
Kim
Thank you so much for this delicious recipe! My family absolutely loves it. I did use 2 pounds of crabmeat and included the canned shrimp. Two thumbs up!
So glad you tried it and your family approved! Yay! Thanks for stopping by.
Kim
I love a good seafood salad, especially now that the weather is turning so much nicer. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday! The party goes live again tonight, we hope to see you there!
This looks absolutely delicious! Thanks so much for sharing it at Tasty Tuesday where you’ve been featured and pinned! Please come back this week!
This sounds so refreshing, but rich at the same time! I can’t wait to try it! :)
This looks delicious! Love the combo of the shrimp and crab….so yummy!