What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!




The Golden Corral is known for several of their buffet items but the most requested one is always their crab salad.
1 cup chopped green onion
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
1/2 cup heavy mayonnaise
3 pounds imitation crab meat, cut up
Combine the green onion, celery, bell pepper, salad dressing, and mayonnaise in a bowl and mix well. Gently stir in the crab. You want it to break up a bit but not be shredded.
Serve immediately or for best results, place the crab salad in a covered container and refrigerate overnight. Stir gently before serving and add additional mayonnaise if it seems dry.
Recipe Source: This is the original recipe from Golden Corral.
Add diced cucumber or radishes for additional texture.
Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash of Old Bay seasoning.
Letting the salad chill in the refrigerator for a few hours allows the flavors to meld.
For a spicier kick, add a small amount of diced jalapeno or a dash of hot sauce.
Serve on a bed of lettuce or with crackers.
If the salad is too creamy, add more chopped vegetables to balance it out.
Try adding capers or chopped pickles for a tangy flavor.
Try adding a small amount of finely chopped garlic for extra zing.
Always taste and adjust the seasoning before serving, as the flavors may mellow when chilled.
Yes, real (cooked) crab meat can be used, but it's more expensive. Make sure to pick it over to remove any shell fragments.
Chives or finely chopped red onion can be used as substitutes.
Red or yellow bell peppers can be used for a sweeter flavor.
Yes, you can use a different creamy dressing like Caesar or blue cheese.
Light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt can be used for a healthier option.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing is not recommended.
Knife: For chopping the green onion, celery, and green bell pepper.
Measuring Cups: For measuring out the chopped vegetables, salad dressing, and mayo.
Bowl: To combine the chopped vegetables, ranch salad dressing, and mayonnaise in.
Mixing Spoon: To mix the green onion, celery, green bell pepper, salad dressing, and mayonnaise together before gently adding the crab meat.
Covered Container: For storing the crab salad in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavors to meld together.
Crisp lettuce leaves: Grab some fresh lettuce leaves to make a light and refreshing crab salad lettuce wrap.
Warm Buttered Rolls: The soft, buttery rolls are the ideal vessel for scooping up every last bite of the crab salad.
Avocado Halves: Scoop out the center of an avocado and fill it with this delicious crab salad. The cool, creamy avocado complements the richness of the crab salad, adding a fresh element to the dish.
Sandwich Bread: spread this flavorful crab salad between two slices of your favorite bread for a quick and easy lunch.
What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!
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reviews & comments
March 25, 2023
I follow this recipe word for word⦠with 1 small exception⦠I add a bit of Old Bay ⦠puts it over the top!!
December 4, 2021
I love this! I have found, though, if the salad gets too dry, I stir in a little milk instead of more mayonnaise. Same for a potato salad, macaroni salad, etc.
July 15, 2021
Ive tried this recipe.. and its on Target.. .. you do need to chill it tho!!!
August 11, 2020
I often add some shell noodles and a wee bit more dressing and eat this for lunch. Great recipe
April 20, 2020
I made this recipe but instead of Ranch I use Creamy Italian, it come out really good. Thank you fro the recipe
October 13, 2019
As an old GC Partner Manager, the proportions are correct. Havenât been to a G.C in several years, but the Krab was always hand shredded. That might have an impact on some of the comments about too much dressing. In addition, the Ranch dressing was the Hidden Valley Buttermilk recipe, not out of a container
September 3, 2019
I love Golden Corral but am limited to how MUCH I can eat and I always overeat there. But I mostly go for their seafood salad and their friend chicken. Thank you for this seafood salad recipe - makes me very happy.
June 17, 2019
I love Golden Corral's crab salad but this recipe seems to be missing something.
March 15, 2019
This is not anything like Golden Corral. It has way too much mayo and dressing. I eat there once a week and it's one of my favorite, so do yourself a favor and try another one.
Did you let it sit overnight? It usually ends up a bit on the dry side then (to the point you need extra dressing). If you served it immediately it would probably seem like it had more dressing than needed.
Very good--will make it often
October 20, 2018
The best crab salad that I have ever had. Thanks!
September 30, 2018
Since we live on a lake in Florida,this is definitely our year round favorite. We add dill as a salt substitute, shrimp, hand ground black pepper (added to the top of the salad on the plate just before serving, for flavor and presentation) and a little white pepper during preparation. Our bell peppers are of the no irritation hybrid type and are grown in our garden as are the green onions. We (on a dinner plate)serve it on a bed of fresh spinach leaves surrounded by a circle of Ritz Toasted Chips of our favorite flavors. Guest go nuts over it and the presentation is 5 star. Simple but elegant.
This recipe is almost identical to mine. I love crab salad and it can be so versatile. Sometimes I throw in pasta shells, green peas and maybe a little shredded cheese. Such great recipes on this site.
Can greek yogurt take the place of the mayo?
It would give it a very different flavor
Worked there for years. And we would make this by the tub full. The amount of mayo and ranch dressing may not seem like a lot, but it is. If you prefer a creamier sauce I suggest adding 1/4 of a cup of mayo and ranch but no more than that or it will turn out runny. Hope this helps
December 22, 2017
I made this for the first time for my dad who loves Golden Corrals crab salad, and he absolutely loved it. I made a the recipe as stated and it disappeared less than 12 hours later. Every time somebody wanted a snack, they went for the crab salad. I just more ingredients to make it for my Christmas Eve dinner. As stated by others, itâs best when refrigerated overnight for the best flavor.
September 1, 2017
Made as directed and yes it made just about a gallon (3 pounds crab doesn't seem like a lot but once it gets mixed and flaked it expands a lot). I did add more mayo and dressing because after sitting in the fridge overnight it didn't seem as saucy as I wanted it. Good recipe flavor-wise too. And I laughed about the Duke's comment - that's the only mayo I use too!
the recipe says it makes 1 gallon, but the quantity of ingredients doesn't add up..Are you confident .5 cup of mayo, .5 cup of ranch, the veggies & crabmeat will make 4 quarts? I need to feed a large amount of people and want to make sure I buy enough ingredients..thank you so much!!!
It does make pretty much the amount it says. I would make sure to have enough mayo and dressing on hand to adjust if you want the texture different (based on personal preference).
April 11, 2017
Very gooooood
January 9, 2017
Worked there years ago. The recipe sounds right for a small batch. We made it in much larger quantities almost daily. I still enjoy it
December 27, 2016
Delicious
December 24, 2016
Amazing! I added some chopped dill to give it a little twist !
December 11, 2016
I just tried this for the first time and it is delicious and we will definitley be making it again.
August 24, 2016
JUST like what I remember from golden corral (haven't been there in a while). So easy to make too. Definitely let it sit overnight. It tasted good right away but next day we could barely keep from eating all of it before dinner.
July 9, 2016
We always love this salad!
March 30, 2016
I just made this salad, but instead of using the mayo or the ranch, I used the Yum Yum Sauce (Japanese Sauce)....OMG the best seafood salad I have ever had (I even added shrimps).
What brand of ranch and mayonnaise do you recommend?
Duke's mayo is the only mayo we use in any recipe.
Was curious. Do you use bottled ranch dressing or packaged ranch dressing that you make with milk and mayo? Haven't tried the recipe yet but my husband and father love Golden Corral Crab Salad so was going to try to make it. So, bottled or dry mix? Thanks!
This is the prepared dressing, not the mix (it would say ranch dressing mix if that was the case - we are always careful to specify that because 1/2 cup of dry mix would be quite awful!)
November 2, 2015
This is the best crab salad I've ever had...Never had better...Love it....
June 29, 2015
THIS CRAB SALAD IS AMAZING. I MADE IT AND ADDED A LITTLE TOUCH OF OLD BAY SEASONING FOR AN ADDED FLAVOR. PUT IT ON A TORTILLA WITH SOME SHREDDED LETTUCE AND A FEW BANANA PEPPER RINGS. YUMMMMMMMMMY!
May 19, 2015
Identical recipe! Could not believe it! Definitely let sit overnight for flavors to meld. It don't taste right when you 1st make it. I had to double this recipe the second time i made it as everyone loved it and I ran out. I will make this many times!
December 23, 2014
this is the best thing i have ever tasted the mix of tastes is lovely
July 23, 2014
Made this for my family's lunch on Sat 19 July and when lunch was over they wanted to know why I didnt purchase more from Golden. Corral . It was awesome!!!
June 12, 2014
Absolutely the best recipe for imitation crab out there, but since I cannot tolerate bell peppers, I omitted them. This recipe was still delicious, but is absolutely GLORIOUS when served like a sammich on a soft potato roll with cold giardinara as an accompaniment. kudos to whomever submitted this!
March 30, 2014
Easy crab salad that tastes delicious. Definitely let it sit overnight in the fridge for the best flavor.
Can this recipe be frozen
I haven't tried it, but I would think the texture wouldn't be very good when it thawed. Imitation crab meat has a high water content which would cause it to break down in the process.
December 2, 2013
It definitely needs to sit overnight for best flavor, but once it all melds together it's amazing!
October 29, 2013
I cut the calories by using ff mayo
July 1, 2013
This is delicious!!! Tastes just like Golden Corral's crab salad
June 27, 2013
I could eat this all day! It is amazing. I scaled down the serving size though, otherwise I WOULD eat this all day!
June 3, 2013
I used the lump imitation crab instead of the sticks (I still chopped up some of the larger pieces). Definitely let this sit in the fridge for a couple of hours (or overnight is even better). The flavor is good and it has a great texture. A very easy crab salad to make.
April 17, 2012
I made this tonight and it was awesome! The family loved it. Seafood Salad has always been my favorite part of going to Golden Corral. I never would have guessed Ranch Dressing would be an ingredient!
March 18, 2012
Awesome recipe! Tastes just like Golden Corral's seafood salad! Yummy!
January 31, 2009
My kids have always love Golden Corral's crab salad, so when I found the recipe, they were very excited to try it. It was an immediate hit! They loved it and it didn't last long, even though the recipe makes a bunch. Will definitely make it again!
December 11, 2008
GRRRRRRREAT recipe!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!
October 2, 2007
A nice, simple crab salad. The longer it sits the better it is, so try to let it sit overnight before serving. I felt it needed a little salt to help bring out the flavors more. Other than that, it was perfect!
September 26, 2007
I have already made this 3 times since last week. I love it, it was delicious. I always eat it at Golden Corral. I will make this a lot, my husband loved it also. I took to a family dinner Sunday and they all liked it also. Very good, very easy, great, keep them coming, love it.
March 24, 2006
Great recipe! Instead of green peppers I added black olives and cubes of sharp cheese. Mmmmm. Turned out great. My husband even liked it and he never eats crab salad!
January 28, 2006
This was really a great tasting salad and tastes just like the one at Golden Corral. I used lowfat ranch dressing and low fat mayo and it was just as good. Very easy and quick to make, too! Mary