My Quick and Easy Crab Melts are seriously delicious and oh so versatile. If you want a light lunch or brunch, pair them with crisps or a salad. You can also cut them up and serve them as an appetizer, on a buffet, or at a cocktail party. I serve them a lot during the holiday season. On warmer days when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen for too long, these crab melts are great. On cooler days, they go well with a bowl of hot soup.
With the crab meat and cheese, crab melts are very filling. I give each person half a slice of French bread or ciabatta. You can also make crab melts on toasted sliced bread. Of course, you can easily double or triple the recipe to serve more people. I buy white crab meat from Seafood and Eat It (not because they pay me to say this, just saying!) that is already cooked in a small pot at the store. It’s expensive, but a little goes a long way. You can also use canned white crab meat as a more frugal option.
Canned crab meat is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. As a seafood lover and home cook, I’m always looking for new and creative ways to use canned crab meat in appetizers, main dishes, salads, and more.
In this article, I’ll share 27 of my favorite canned crab meat recipe ideas that are easy to make and full of delicious flavor. From crab cakes and crab dip to crab stuffed mushrooms and crab melts, these recipes will satisfy any crab craving!
An Overview of Canned Crab Meat
Before jumping into the recipes let’s do a quick overview of canned crab meat. There are a few different varieties available
-
Jumbo lump crab meat – This consists of whole lumps of crab meat from the body and claws It has the best texture
-
Lump crab meat – Also contains lumps of body and claw meat, but some of the lumps may be broken up a bit. Still has very good texture.
-
Backfin crab meat – A less expensive variety made up of smaller pieces and flakes of body meat. The texture is not as pronounced.
-
Claw crab meat – As the name suggests, this is meat from just the crab claws. It has a stronger flavor and can be shredded or chunky.
-
Imitation crab meat – This is made of cooked fish (usually pollock), along with other binders and flavorings. The texture is different from real crab, but it’s much more affordable.
Canned crab meat is pre-cooked so you don’t have to worry about preparing raw crab yourself. It’s available fresh or pasteurized. I like to buy pasteurized crab meat since it has a longer shelf life unopened.
Now let’s get to those recipes!
1. Classic Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are a go-to way to use up canned crab meat. This classic recipe combines lump crab with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings, then pan-fried to golden brown perfection. They make a delicious appetizer or entree. I love to serve them with tartar sauce or remoulade on the side for dipping.
2. Easy Crab Dip
Warm, cheesy crab dip is always a crowd-pleaser. This easy baked crab dip comes together in just 10 minutes by mixing canned crab with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Serve it straight from the baking dish with crackers or bread for dipping.
3. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
These crab stuffed mushroom caps are elegant enough for a dinner party, but easy enough for a weeknight. Simply mix canned crab with cream cheese, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, and herbs and stuff into mushroom caps. Bake until hot and bubbly for a delicious appetizer.
4. Crab Salad Sandwiches
For a simple lunch or light dinner, try these crab salad sandwiches. Just combine canned crab meat with celery, onion, mayo, lemon juice, and seasonings. Pile the crab salad onto slices of bread and you have an incredibly tasty sandwich.
5. Crab Melts
Buttery, toasted crab melts are so satisfying. Mix canned crab with mustard, bell pepper, scallions, mayo, and cheese. Pile onto bread and broil until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. I love to serve these crab melts with a crisp side salad or cup of tomato soup.
6. Crab Louis Salad
This West Coast salad is a crab lover’s dream. It’s loaded up with crab meat, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and an incredible dressing of mayo, chili sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and herbs. Definitely one of my favorite canned crab recipes.
7. Crab Quiche
Quiche is an easy brunch recipe, and crab makes it extra special. To make, just mix canned crab with eggs, cream, Swiss cheese, and bake in a prepared pie crust. Serve with a simple green salad for a satisfying meal.
8. Maryland Crab Cakes
Maryland is famous for their signature crab cakes. This recipe stays true to tradition, using Old Bay seasoning and a bit of mustard for flavor. The crab cakes are broiled instead of fried for a healthier, but still crispy and delicious, version.
9. Thai Crab Cakes
Put a fun twist on classic crab cakes with Thai flavors! Red curry paste, fish sauce, cilantro, and lime juice give these crab cakes a boost of Thai flavor. They are pan fried until crisp and served with a cool cucumber dipping sauce.
10. Creamy Crab Casserole
Casseroles are my go-to for easy weeknight meals, and this crab casserole is a new favorite. Lump crab meat is combined with egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, cheese, and seasonings, then baked until bubbly and delicious.
11. Crab Phyllo Cups
These cute little crab phyllo cups make an elegant passed appetizer for a cocktail party. Just fill phyllo shells with a mixture of crab, cream cheese, basil, lemon juice, and green onion. Your guests will be impressed with how easy they are to make!
12. Crab Cakes Benedict
For a special weekend brunch, try these crab cakes Benedict. English muffins are topped with crab cakes, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce for a decadent play on eggs Benedict. It looks impressive but only takes 20 minutes to make.
13. Cheesy Crab & Corn Chowder
Chowders are so comforting on chilly days. This version is loaded with sweet corn, tender potato, creamy broth, and crab meat. I also add shredded cheddar for extra cheesy flavor. It’s a hearty, satisfying soup.
14. Crab & Avocado Stacked Salad
Layers of crab salad, avocado, tomatoes, and greens make this stacked salad a showstopper. And it’s fast to make by mixing up a simple crab salad and assembling the layered components. Feel free to substitute imitation crab meat to save money.
15. Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli
These crab cakes are flavored with green onions, Dijon, and parsley, then pan fried until crispy. The lemon aioli sauce takes them to the next level. Just mix mayo, lemon juice, garlic, and chili sauce for a refreshing dip.
16. Crab Salad Stuffed Tomatoes
Stuffing crab salad into tomatoes elevates this summery dish to something extra special. Use a simple mix of crab, celery, green onion, mayo, lemon juice, and seasonings spooned into juicy tomato halves for a light meal or appetizer.
17. Cheesy Baked Crab Dip
Baked crab dips are my favorite party appetizer. This one has so much cheesy flavor from the combination of cheddar, Monterey jack, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Mix with crab, bake until hot and bubbly, and serve with crackers, chips or crostini.
18. Crab & Shrimp Salad Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps make eating salad so much fun. Just fill leaves of crisp lettuce with a mix of crab, shrimp, celery, bell pepper, green onion, herbs, lemon juice, and mayo. Wrap up and enjoy these fresh, filling lettuce wraps.
19. Crab & Corn Fritters
These crab and corn fritters are crispy on the outside and studded with sweet corn and crab meat inside. Quick to mix up and fry, enjoy them as appetizers or side dishes. The combination of crab and corn is amazing.
20. Hawaiian Crab Salad
For a tropical twist on crab salad, add pineapple, mango, and macadamia nuts. served over greens, this Hawaiian-inspired crab salad is bursting with flavor. The sweet fruits pair perfectly with the rich, savory crab meat.
21. Crab Rangoon
Crab Rangoon is a popular Chinese-American appetizer and this version is made easy with canned crab. Just mix with cream cheese, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and wrap in wonton wrappers and fry. Serve with sweet and sour sauce.
22. Cheesy Crab & Bacon Pasta
This cheesy crab pasta dish is ultimate comfort food. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor from lump crab, bacon, spinach, and two types of cheese. Quick to make and so satisfying.
23. Thai Crab Cakes with Peanut Sauce
Bring on the Thai flavors with these crab cakes made with red curry paste, cilantro, and lime zest, then served with a tasty peanut dipping sauce. They have just the right amount of heat and lots of delicious flavor.
24. Crab Dip Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers
These crab stuffed peppers are the perfect party appetizer. Mix crab with cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheese, and onions and stuff into mini sweet peppers. Bake until hot for an easy, bite-sized snack.
25. C
How to Make Crab Melts
Four pieces of French or ciabatta bread should be put on a baking sheet and put in an oven set to 350°F (175°C). They should also be put under the broiler or grill for five minutes, or until they start to get some color.
Meanwhile, mix the crab meat with the mustard, red pepper and celery. Add crème fraîche or sour cream as well as salt and pepper to taste.
Mix together gently. Divide the crab mixture between the pieces of bread.
Top with the cheese slices.
Put the bread back in the oven with the crab and cheese on top for five to ten minutes, or broil or grill it until the cheese is brown and bubbling.
Let these cool down a bit before giving each person half of a panini or ciabatta or cutting the crab melts into small pieces to serve as an appetizer. The cheese gets very hot.
Crab Meat Is Nutritious
Crab meat is relatively low in calories and very high in protein, vitamins and minerals. To make it healthier, I use whole-grain bread with chia seeds or sourdough rye bread when I’m making a crab melt for myself. I also only use one slice of cheese. It’s still a treat, but it’s a relatively healthy one.
You can use this cheese topped crab mixture on just about anything. We don’t have Triscuits in the UK, but I’d love to grill some biscuits, spread a teaspoon of the crab mixture on top of a few of them, and serve them as small crab melts.
This recipe for crab melts is tasty and easy to make. You can serve them as a light lunch, as canapés, or as part of a buffet.
Best Crab for your Crab Recipe
What are the best canned crab meat recipes?
One of the BEST canned lump crab meat recipes indeed! 15. Linguine With Crab, Chili, & Garlic To make the pasta saucier, you can add some finely chopped tomatoes after frying the garlic and chili and before you add the crab meat. Stir the crab meat well with the drained pasta and evenly coat both with the sauce.
What can I make with a can of crabmeat?
Whether it’s lump crabmeat, crab claw meat, or some other kind, each of these recipes calls for crabmeat straight from the can, making them perfect pantry dinners. Find quick and affordable dishes to make with a can of crabmeat, such as Crab Dip, Southwestern Crab. Cakes, and Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms.
How do you eat canned crab meat?
Combine the canned crab meat with breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, eggs, and seasonings to make delicious crab cakes. Shape the mixture into patties and pan-fry them until golden brown. Mix the canned crab meat with diced celery, red onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and your choice of seasonings to create a refreshing crab salad.
Is canned crab meat fully cooked?
Yes, canned crab meat is fully cooked. The cooking process begins with tender crab being steamed and then it’s immediately frozen to help preserve its flavor and quality. This means that when you purchase canned crab meat, all you need to do is heat it up. Can you freeze crab meat? Yes, crab meat can be frozen.