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    Home > Main Dishes Seafood > Crab Avocado Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

    Crab Avocado Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

    Published: Nov 8, 2009 · Modified: May 20, 2022 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Lemon Fresh Crab Avocado Salad

    Ultra-nutritious, this Crab Avocado salad with asparagus is beautiful for a light Summer meal. Dressed with a lively vinaigrette you’ve got a delicious and fresh seafood salad recipe.

    Crab and avocado salad with asparagus.

    This week, my local market had Crab legs for $9.99/lb.  Prompting this easy as can be, crab salad recipe with avocado and asparagus.

    Ingredients to make Crab Avocado Salad.

    Look at all of these beautiful, fresh and healthy ingredients.  I’m trying to eat as healthy as I can before the month-long food gorge begins in a couple of weeks.  And believe you me, I plan to whole heartedly participate in the Holiday food festivities.  🙂

    The Greens For This Crab Avocado Salad Recipe

    Pea shoots to make crab avocado salad.

    I’ve been finding pea shoots at Whole Foods. They’re a beautiful garnish and addition for any salad.

    They’re simply the leaves of the traditional garden pea plant that are harvested about 2 – 4 weeks into the growth cycle. Tender, young and bursting with pea flavor.

    For presentation, I’ve placed the crab meat, asparagus and avocado on big luscious leaves of read leaf lettuce. And it’s not just for presentation, it because a fresh delicious part of the meal.

    It’s Healthy

    Eating this crab avocado salad makes you feel so good about yourself. And its a very easy salad to prepare:

    • Asparagus is cooked until just tender.
    • Raw pistachios and avocado and added for an even healthier salad.
    • A delightful and fresh tasting lemon vinaigrette finishes the combination.
    • Sprinkle on some sweet crab meat and you are in salad heaven.

    Crab meat can be expensive at times. You can also make this salad with cooked shrimp, coarsely chopped. Either way, a healthy choice for a light dinner.

    Recipe for Crab Avocado Salad

    I hope you give this crab avocado salad recipe a try. It’s a must have recipe for your Spring and Summer recipe rotation. And it’s perfect for entertaining.

    More Main Course Fresh Healthy Salad Recipes

    • Blackened Shrimp Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
    • Mexican Chicken Salad with Avocado
    • Grilled Shrimp Salad with Citrus Mint Dressing, Avocado and Orange
    • Skirt Steak Salad with Wilted Greens and Warm Chipotle Dressing

    And if you’re in the salad mood, don’t miss my Salad Category. You’ll find lots of great ideas along with dressing and vinaigrette recipes. And don’t miss my post for 9 Secrets To A Remarkable Tossed Salad. Just say no to sad salads.

    And if you’re looking for healthy recipes, take a look at my January Healthy Recipe Post. A great lineup for 31 days worth of clean eating.

    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. And write a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback.

    And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

    Crab and avocado salad with asparagus.

    Crab Avocado Salad with Asparagus and Lemon Vinaigrette

    Ultra-nutritious, this Crab Avocado Asparagus salad is beautiful for a light Summer meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 584kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound asparagus thick asparagus
    • 8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
    • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 6 medium basil leaves
    • 1 small shallot coarsely chopped
    • 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
    • 3 1/2 ounce pea shoots trimmed
    • 1/4 cup raw pistachios coarsely chopped
    • 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat
    • 2 Hass avocados each cut into wedges or coarsely chopped
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Cut tough ends off asparagus and throw away. Slice asparagus tops into 1 inch chunks. Heat a frypan over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and then add asparagus and shallot. Salt and pepper to taste. Lower heat to medium. Cook until just tender, about 5 minutes.
    • In a blender, blend the remaining oil, lemon juice, basil and 1/4 cup of the parsley. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
    • In a large bowl, add the pea shoots, pistachios and the remaining 1/4 cup of parsley leaves to the asparagus. Toss with half of the dressing and season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates and Sprinkle with crab meat.

    Notes

    If you can’t find pea shoots, watercress is another option.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 968mg | Potassium: 1101mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1828IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    Crab Avocado Salad …It’s What’s For Dinner.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chef E says

      November 19, 2009 at 9:21 pm

      I have some blog catching up on here, and this looks great. I am with girlichef, the combo is right up my alley…

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 19, 2009 at 9:32 pm

        Thanks for stopping by Elizabeth. I know what you mean. I follow a lot of blogs and sometimes get WAY behind.

        Reply
    2. Linda says

      November 11, 2009 at 1:00 am

      Looks fantastic! …and it has everything I like…. I’m looking forward to trying it!

      Reply
    3. Joanne says

      November 10, 2009 at 11:39 am

      Alas, my Whole Foods doesn’t seem to be doing this one day sale thing. Too bad, seems like a good deal! This salad sounds great and has some of my favorite ingredients. If you’re going to lighten up the meals before the holidays, at least you can make them still taste good.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 10, 2009 at 6:22 pm

        Doggone it – can’t you tell them that since Colorado is doing it, everyone should?????

        Thanks for stopping by Joanne

        Reply
    4. Katherine says

      November 10, 2009 at 5:20 pm

      This sammy has everything I like on it. Wonderful sandwich, filling but no heavy.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 10, 2009 at 6:16 pm

        Thanks so much for stopping by Katherine!

        Reply
    5. Karen says

      November 10, 2009 at 4:26 pm

      I’m totally down with the whole eating healthy before the holidays thing, really I am. But browse any magazine, blog or newspaper article and you are bombarded with gloriously decadent holiday foods and desserts (in full color and larger than life, I might add). How’s a girl to do it?? Maybe I need to pull out my eat-healthy-and-light-for-summer magazine issues and put on some blinders in line at the grocery store 😀

      Or, I could just go ahead and make this recipe, since Dillon’s also has crab on sale this week. King crab legs for 8.99/lb thankyouverymuch! 😀

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 10, 2009 at 6:18 pm

        You’ve only got that $8.99 price tag because you’re closer to the ocean…….oh no, wait, that’s the Arkansas River. Which by the way I hope you’re pronouncing correctly – arKANsas

        Reply
    6. donna says

      November 10, 2009 at 4:01 am

      Love the combination of all these goodies, and the addition of the pistachios, brilliant. Looks soooo attractive too.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 10, 2009 at 6:30 pm

        As always, thanks for stopping by Donna

        Reply
    7. Chilebrown says

      November 10, 2009 at 4:11 am

      Crab season started last week for the public. Commerical Crab seasion starts next weekend. Hopefully in two weeks we will get live crabs for under three bucks a pound. Now, if only it was Asparagus season that recipe would be to die for. It still sounds so very good. I will make it even though it may be healthy for you.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 11, 2009 at 1:13 pm

        Thanks for stopping by chilebrown. It sounds like you live a lot closer to the ocean that I do! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Natashya says

      November 09, 2009 at 7:08 pm

      Mmm, all my favourite stuff! Sounds great.
      For next month – hope you have your stretchy pants! 😉

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 09, 2009 at 9:07 pm

        LOL – you bet, elastic waist bands will most certainly be required. Thanks for stopping by Natashya

        Reply
    9. anncoo says

      November 09, 2009 at 1:01 pm

      I love all these greens and it is definitely a great combo with crab and avocado.

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 09, 2009 at 1:43 pm

        Thanks for stopping by Anncoo

        Reply
    10. girlichef says

      November 09, 2009 at 12:56 pm

      Anything with both crab and avocado is delicious in my book…especially if you add some yummy bread. This looks really great!

      Reply
    11. Karen says

      November 09, 2009 at 4:18 pm

      Sounds like a great salad. I made asparagus with pasta last night with a lemon sauce, so I know this combination is yummy!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 09, 2009 at 9:09 pm

        Ok now, Pasta with asparagus and lemon sauce sounds wonderful. Hope you blog about it.

        Thanks for stopping by Karen

        Reply
    12. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

      November 09, 2009 at 2:23 pm

      The salad looks so tempting…all the best ingredients in one salad.

      Reply
    13. buffalo dick says

      November 09, 2009 at 1:33 pm

      Very attractive, and sounds tasty to boot!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 09, 2009 at 1:45 pm

        Well, it’s certainly not Dad’s Pizza, but a girl has to watch that pudgy girlish figure ya know! 🙂

        Reply
    14. Cauleen says

      November 09, 2009 at 3:36 am

      Sounds divine! Love all the ingredients and can’t wait to try!

      Reply
    15. DebinHawaii says

      November 09, 2009 at 2:04 am

      Yum! I love crab and the salad looks so refreshing and good. I am going to have to check and see if we have the one day sales here.

      Reply
    16. Lele says

      November 09, 2009 at 1:03 am

      What fabulous gourmet ingredients! I never would’ve thought to add the pistachios!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 09, 2009 at 12:43 pm

        It was delicious. I couldn’t find salted/roasted at Whole Foods, so added raw/unsalted. I do think the salted would have been better – but this was still delicious. Thanks for stopping by

        Reply
    17. Chris says

      November 08, 2009 at 9:35 pm

      Crab, avocado, and asparagus – can’t go wrong with that combination. Well you can’t REASONABLY go wrong with that combination. I mean sure, you could put in skunk road kill and that would ruin it, but otherwise….. 😉

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 08, 2009 at 10:07 pm

        LOL – yup, I’m thinkin some skunk would pretty much stink up that dish! As always, Thanks for stopping by Chris

        Reply
    18. Vickie says

      November 08, 2009 at 9:12 pm

      This looks soooo good! I love every single ingredient, so I can almost taste it. You know, this makes me even grumpier about not having a Whole Foods up here. I am still planning to figure out how to sprout my own peas. Great post & great recipe!

      Reply
      • leaannbrown says

        November 08, 2009 at 10:05 pm

        I know, I almost cringe every time I mention the W.F. word about making you grumpy. I feel the same over no Trader Vics here in Colorado.

        Thanks for stopping by

        Reply

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    I'm Lea Ann, A Culinary School Grad obsessed with South of The Border cuisine. Mexican, Southwestern and Wild West Recipes. If you're an adventurous home cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of inspiration for reliable, approachable recipes.

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