Every time I’m at Costco, I find myself drawn to their delicious seafood salad. It’s so fresh and creamy that I decided I had to figure out how to make it at home.

After a few tries, I’ve perfected a copycat Costco Seafood Salad Recipe that I think is even better than the original.

It’s packed with tender seafood, crisp vegetables, and a tangy dressing that brings it all together.

This salad has become my go-to for a quick lunch or an impressive dish for a potluck.

Ingredients

Here is everything you will need to create this refreshing and flavorful salad.

1/2 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined: Using fresh or thawed raw shrimp and cooking them yourself provides the best flavor and texture.
1/2 lb bay scallops: These small scallops are tender and perfectly bite-sized for a salad.
1 lb imitation crab meat: This is the classic choice for a Costco-style salad, providing a sweet flavor and firm texture.
1/2 lb elbow macaroni: The small, curved shape of this pasta is ideal for catching the creamy dressing.
1/2 cup mayonnaise: Use a good-quality, full-fat mayonnaise for the richest and creamiest dressing.
1/4 cup sweet relish: This adds a touch of sweetness and a tangy crunch that balances the rich dressing.
1-2 stalks celery, diced: Provides a necessary fresh, crisp crunch to the salad.
1 red bell pepper, diced: Adds a pop of color and a mild, sweet flavor.
1/2 yellow onion, diced: For a savory, aromatic base.
1 green onion, diced: Offers a mild, fresh onion flavor and a bit of color.
1 lemon, juiced and zested: The fresh juice and zest brighten up all the flavors.
2-3 tbsp hot sauce: Add to your preferred level of heat for a little kick.
1 tbsp butter: For cooking the shrimp and scallops.
2 pinches sugar: Helps to balance the acidity of the lemon and relish.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Old Bay to taste.

Note: This recipe makes several servings, perfect for a family meal or gathering.

Variations

Feel free to customize this salad to make it your own.

Healthier Dressing: For a lighter version, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream. This adds protein while cutting down on fat.
Different Seafood: Swap the imitation crab for real lump crab meat for a more decadent salad. You could also add cooked lobster meat for an extra-special treat.
Herbaceous Flavor: Mix in a tablespoon of fresh chopped dill or parsley to the dressing for a burst of fresh, herbal flavor that pairs beautifully with seafood.
Extra Veggies: Feel free to add other crunchy vegetables like diced cucumber, radishes, or even some corn for extra texture and flavor.

Cooking Time

This fresh and creamy salad is quick to assemble.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling time)

Equipment You Need

You only need a few common kitchen items to prepare this dish.

Large Pot: For boiling the macaroni pasta until tender.
Sauté Pan: To cook the shrimp and scallops perfectly.
Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining all the salad ingredients and the dressing.
Whisk: To mix the dressing ingredients into a smooth and creamy consistency.

How to Make Costco Seafood Salad Recipe?

Creating this copycat Costco seafood salad at home is surprisingly easy. The key is to prepare each component separately before bringing them all together. This ensures the pasta is perfectly cooked, the seafood is tender, and the vegetables stay crisp. The final step of chilling the salad allows all the distinct flavors to meld into the delicious, creamy dish you know and love.

Cook the Pasta and Seafood

First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and set it aside to cool completely; you can place it in the fridge to speed this up. While the pasta cools, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp and bay scallops, seasoning them with a pinch of Old Bay. Cook for just a few minutes until the shrimp are pink and the scallops are opaque. Set the seafood aside to cool.

Prepare the Dressing and Vegetables

In a large mixing bowl, it’s time to create the creamy dressing. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet relish, lemon juice and zest, sugar, hot sauce, and seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until everything is smooth and well combined. Once the dressing is ready, add the diced celery, red bell pepper, yellow onion, and green onion to the bowl. Stir everything together so the vegetables are fully coated in the dressing.

Combine and Chill the Salad

Once the pasta and seafood have cooled down to room temperature, add them to the large mixing bowl with the dressing and vegetables. Gently fold all the ingredients together until evenly combined. Finally, add the imitation crab meat and stir gently to incorporate it without breaking it up too much. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1-2 hours. This chilling period is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

After making this salad several times, I have a few suggestions to ensure it turns out perfectly every time.

I always make sure the pasta and seafood are completely cool before mixing them with the dressing. Adding them while still warm can make the mayonnaise separate and the salad oily.
Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings. I find that tasting the dressing before adding the main ingredients is the best way to get the flavor just right for my preference.
For the best texture, I chop the imitation crab, shrimp, and vegetables into similar-sized, bite-sized pieces. This ensures you get a little bit of everything in each bite.
If the salad seems a bit thick after chilling, I stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise or a squeeze of lemon juice to loosen it up just before serving.

How to Serve Costco Seafood Salad Recipe?

This seafood salad is wonderfully versatile in how it can be served. For a classic and simple lunch, scoop it onto a bed of crisp lettuce or serve it with crackers for dipping. It also makes a fantastic sandwich filling; pile it high on a croissant, in a pita pocket, or between two slices of toasted sourdough bread. For an elegant appetizer, serve small scoops in hollowed-out avocado halves or in crisp lettuce cups. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh dill or paprika for a touch of color.

Nutritional Information

Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for a serving of this salad.

Calories: 350-450 kcal
Protein: 15-20g
Carbohydrates: 25-30g
Fat: 20-25g

Make Ahead and Storage

This salad is an excellent make-ahead dish, and proper storage keeps it fresh and delicious.

To store, transfer the finished seafood salad to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and is best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, so it often tastes even better on the second day.

I do not recommend freezing this salad. The mayonnaise-based dressing will separate when thawed, and the vegetables will lose their crisp texture, resulting in a watery and unappealing consistency. It is best enjoyed fresh.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Here are a few reasons why this Costco seafood salad copycat will become a new favorite.

Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of creamy dressing, tender seafood, and crisp vegetables is a classic flavor profile that appeals to almost everyone, making it perfect for parties and potlucks.
Easy to Prepare: With simple steps and no complicated cooking techniques, this salad comes together quickly. The most time-consuming part is simply waiting for it to chill.
Better Than Store-Bought: Making it at home allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor. You can adjust the seasoning and creaminess to your exact liking.
Versatile Serving Options: This salad is delicious on its own, in a sandwich, over a bed of greens, or as a dip with crackers. It works as a quick lunch, a simple dinner, or an easy appetizer.