Citric Acid Free Crab & Avocado Salad with Citrus Herb Dressing
Sweet, briny crab and buttery avocado are a natural pairing, and this salad brings them together with crisp cucumber, celery, and a shower of fresh herbs for something that feels genuinely restaurant-worthy. The dressing is where things get interesting — apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, turmeric, and ginger create a bright, layered flavor without relying on any processed citric acid additives that can sneak into bottled dressings and store-bought seasonings. For anyone navigating a citric acid sensitivity, that kind of hidden ingredient is a constant headache, and building the dressing from scratch here completely sidesteps it. The technique of folding in the avocado at the very end with just a few gentle turns keeps the cubes intact and gorgeous rather than turning the whole bowl into guacamole. Every component is whole and recognizable, so there's no guesswork about what went into it. Serve it immediately for the best texture, and don't skip the optional lemon wedges — a little extra squeeze right at the table ties everything together beautifully.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 lb lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted, peeled, and cut into ¾-inch cubes
- 1 english cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
- 4 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, turmeric, ginger, and 1/2 tsp salt until the dressing is smooth and uniform in color.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, cucumber, celery, scallion greens, parsley, and chives. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
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