Seaweed Salad without Imitation Crab Sticks: 3 Recipe Variations

      Replace crab sticks with apple and potato — and get an explosion of tenderness

      Classic recipe: version without crab sticks

      The secret of the ingredients is simple.

      Products:

      Apples (sweet and sour varieties, such as Granny Smith) — 3 pcs.

      Crab sticks — 200 g (optional, but the author made it without them)

      Boiled carrots — 2 pcs.

      Red onion (Crimean) — 1 large head

      Canned seaweed (without additives, just kelp + salt) — 200 g

      Lean mayonnaise — 3-4 tbsp

      For marinating the onion: salt, sugar, 9% vinegar (0.5 tsp each)

      Step-by-step preparation (improved version)

      Boil the carrots until soft (20 minutes after boiling). Cool and cut into thin strips.

      Marinate the red onion. Cut into half rings, pour over a mixture of 50 ml of water, a pinch of salt, 1 tsp of sugar, and 1 tbsp of vinegar. Leave for 15 minutes. The bitterness will go away, leaving crunch and spiciness.

      Cut the apples into thin strips or grate them on a coarse grater (the skin can be left on — it contains pectin).

      If using crab sticks — cut them into cubes.

      Drain the brine from the marinated onion, squeeze it out.

      In a deep bowl, mix: seaweed, apples, carrots, onion. Dress with lean mayonnaise.

      Variation #1: with potatoes and peas (hearty lunch)

      The author of the recipe mentions in her review that she tried adding boiled potatoes (2-3 tubers) and a can of green peas. It turned out to be a full-fledged replacement for vinaigrette, but with a marine accent. The potatoes are cut into 1×1 cm cubes, and the peas are added without liquid. This option will be appreciated by men — hearty but not heavy.

      Variation #2: with celery (for detox)

      The idea is brilliant. Take 2 stalks of celery, cut into small pieces. Together with the apple and seaweed, celery provides a powerful fat-burning effect. Just remove the carrot (it’s sweet) and add lemon juice instead of vinegar.

      Why lean mayonnaise?

      The author uses lean mayonnaise — it is made without eggs, on plant milk or aquafaba. It has a less fatty taste (usually 30-40% fat compared to classic 67%), so it doesn’t "weigh down" the seaweed. If you can’t find lean mayonnaise — mix 2% Greek yogurt with mustard and lemon juice.

      Helpful tips

      From the photo, it’s clear:

      It’s better to cut the apples last and immediately sprinkle them with lemon juice to prevent browning.

      The canned seaweed should be drained in a colander and rinsed with boiled water — this will remove excess salt and the smell of iodine.

      Marinate the red onion for no longer than 20 minutes, otherwise it will become soft and lose its crunch.

      Conclusion: who will enjoy this salad

      The recipe is a find for those who:

      Monitor their iodine levels (seaweed supports the thyroid gland);

      Want to eat fewer store-bought convenience foods (crab sticks often contain dyes and phosphates);

      Are looking for lean or vegetarian dishes (all ingredients are plant-based).

      Try the basic recipe, experiment with potatoes, peas, or celery. Once you make this tender salad, you won’t return to heavy mayonnaise versions. Enjoy your meal.

      photo by the author

      Yulia Kazamarova

      More news about the event:

      Salad with seaweed without crab sticks: 3 recipe variations

      Replace crab sticks with apple and potato — and get an explosion of tenderness

      Classic recipe: version without crab sticks

      The secret of the ingredients is simple. 17:31 07.06.2026 Zainsk-inform - Zainsk

      Salad with seaweed without crab sticks: 3 recipe variations

      Replace crab sticks with apple and potato — and get an explosion of tenderness

      Classic recipe: version without crab sticks

      The secret of the ingredients is simple. 17:27 07.06.2026 News of Zainsk - Zainsk

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      In the Tula region, the prices of carrots, cabbage, and eggs have sharply increased

      Since the beginning of June, there have been changes in prices for various goods and services in the Tula region. 20:39 07.06.2026 Young Communard - Tula

      Just a few minutes and the snack is ready: salad "Ryzhik" with Korean carrots flies off the shelves instantly

      Recipes Food Culinary Anna Polyakova Editor of the food feed

      Salad "Ryzhik" is prepared in just a few minutes / progorod59

      Salad "Ryzhik" with Korean carrots and crab sticks: 19:24 06.06.2026 Pro Gorod Perm - Perm