How to Make Delicious Crab Meat Stuffing With 7 Easy Recipes

Crab meat stuffing is a seafood lover’s dream side dish or ingredient that can elevate any meal. With its rich, sweet crab flavor and tender texture crab stuffing pairs well with everything from fish and chicken to vegetables.

Making your own homemade crab stuffing is simple with just a few basic ingredients. In this article, I’ll provide tips on how to make crab meat stuffing along with 7 of my go-to recipes perfect for any occasion.

Crab stuffing, also called crabmeat stuffing, is a dish made by combining flaked crab meat with breadcrumbs egg, mayonnaise, and seasonings. It can be used as

• A side dish – Serve crab stuffing instead of regular bread stuffing at holidays or alongside fish.

• A filling – Stuff into mushrooms, tomatoes, chicken breasts, fish fillets, etc.

• A dip – Heat crab stuffing in a baking dish until hot for a delicious dip.

• Crab cakes – Form crab stuffing into patties and pan fry for crab cakes.

The sweet, succulent taste of crab is perfect complemented by crisp breadcrumbs, rich mayonnaise, and fresh herbs. Crab stuffing is simple to whip up and can be customized in endless ways.

Tips for Making Crab Meat Stuffing

Follow these tips for perfect crab stuffing every time:

• Use fresh crab meat – Packaged pasteurized crab meat works well. Make sure to drain excess liquid.

• Toast breadcrumbs – Toasting provides crunchy texture and enhanced flavor.

• Don’t overmix – Gently fold ingredients to keep crab meat chunks intact.

• Chill before using – Chilling helps flavors meld and makes stuffing easier to handle.

• Add seasonings – Old Bay, lemon, parsley, Worcestershire all complement crab.

• Use as binder – Mayonnaise or egg binds ingredients and provides richness.

• Bake until hot – Bake crab stuffing at 350F until hot before serving.

Now let’s get into some easy recipes for making crab meat stuffing at home!

1. Classic Crab Stuffing

This crab stuffing recipe is the perfect way to enjoy delicious crab flavor as a side dish.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz crab meat, drained
• 1⁄2 cup toasted breadcrumbs
• 2 Tbsp roasted red peppers, minced
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1⁄2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1⁄4 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together crab meat, breadcrumbs, red peppers, mayonnaise, egg, lemon juice, Old Bay, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Fold gently to combine. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3. Transfer to greased baking dish and bake at 350F for 20 minutes until hot and golden brown.

4. Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve alongside seafood or poultry.

2. Crab and Corn Stuffing

For a delicious twist, add corn to your crab stuffing. The sweet corn complements the crab perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz crab meat, picked over
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients except crab meat. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Fold in crab meat gently to combine.

3. Transfer to greased baking dish and bake at 375F for 25 minutes.

4. Broil 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

3. Cheesy Crab Stuffing

Adding cheese takes this crab stuffing over the top. The cheese becomes ooey and gooey when baked.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz crab meat, drained
• 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp butter, melted
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1⁄4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1⁄4 cup shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together crab meat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, butter, egg, Parmesan, cheddar cheese, lemon juice, parsley and garlic powder.

2. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Transfer to greased baking dish and top with extra shredded cheese.

4. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

5. Broil 1-2 minutes to brown cheese. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

4. Spicy Crab Stuffing

Give your crab stuffing a kick of heat by adding chili powder and hot sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb crab meat, drained
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1 jalapeño, minced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 Tbsp melted butter
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients except crab meat.

2. Fold in crab meat gently.

3. Transfer to greased baking dish and bake at 375F for 30 minutes.

4. Broil 2-3 minutes until topping is crispy.

5. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

5. Herb Crab Stuffing

Fresh herbs brighten up this crab stuffing recipe. Mix and match your favorite herbs.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb crab meat, drained
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1⁄3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh dill, minced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme
• 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together crab meat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, egg, shallot, parsley, dill, thyme, lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Gently fold ingredients to combine.

3. Transfer to greased baking dish and bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes until heated through.

4. Broil 2-3 minutes to brown top. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

6. Bacon Crab Stuffing

The smoky, salty flavor of bacon pairs perfectly with sweet crab in this stuffing.

Ingredients:

• 10 oz crab meat, drained
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
• 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients except crab meat. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Fold in crab meat. Chill 30 minutes.

3. Transfer to greased baking dish and bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes until hot.

4. Broil 2 minutes to brown top. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

7. Lemon Garlic Crab Stuffing

Bursting with bright lemon and garlic flavor, this crab stuffing is delicious in fish or chicken.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb crab meat, picked over
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 6 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine crab meat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, paprika, and cayenne. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Mix gently to combine.

3. Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes until heated through.

4. Broil 2-3 minutes to brown topping. Let cool 5 minutes before using as desired.

Get Creative with Crab Stuffing

Now that you know how to make basic crab stuffing, get creative and make it your own! Adjust any of the ingredients or use different seasonings to customize the flavors. Crab stuff