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 amazing ingredient that is often overlooked. It’s affordable readily available and adds delicious flavor to so many dishes. If you have a can of crab meat sitting in your pantry but aren’t sure how to use it, this article is for you.
As a food blogger and home cook I rely on canned crab meat to quickly elevate simple meals. From appetizers and salads to main courses and more canned crab is endlessly versatile. Here are 18 of my favorite ways to use canned crab meat in recipes.
1. Hot Crab Dip
Crab dip is a classic party appetizer, and canned crab makes it easy to whip up. Simply combine canned crab meat with cream cheese, mayo, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and Old Bay seasoning. Bake it until bubbly and serve with crackers or bread for dipping. It’s rich, creamy, and full of crab flavor.
2. Crab Cakes
You can easily make crab cakes at home with canned crab. Mix together crab meat, bread crumbs, egg, mayonnaise, Old Bay, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and herbs. Form into patties and pan fry until golden. Serve crab cakes on buns with lettuce, tomato, and a lemony aioli.
3. Crab Salad Sandwiches
For a quick lunch or light dinner, try crab salad sandwiches. Combine canned crab with mayo, celery, green onion, lemon juice, Dijon, and herbs. Stuff the mixture into toasted rolls or croissants. Crab salad sandwiches are simple but satisfying.
4. Stuffed Mushrooms
Fancy up some mushrooms with a crabmeat stuffing. Sauté mushrooms stems with shallots and garlic. Mix with crab, bread crumbs, lemon zest, Parmesan, and parsley. Stuff into mushroom caps and bake until hot and bubbly.
5. Crab Louis Salad
Elevate a green salad by turning it into a Crab Louis. Top mixed greens with chunks of canned crab, hard boiled eggs, avocado, cucumber, and tomatoes. The dressing is a tangy homemade mayo-based sauce. It’s a filling main course salad.
6. Crab Quiche
Quiche is a great way to use up canned crab. Make your favorite quiche recipe and fold in crab meat with some minced green onions. The crab adds extra protein and tons of flavor. Serve crab quiche with a salad for a light meal.
7. Crab Roll Sandwiches
For an east coast twist on lobster rolls, make some crab rolls instead. Simply mix canned crab with mayo, lemon juice, celery, onion, and parsley. Pile the mixture onto split-top buns. Crab rolls are an awesome summer sandwich.
8. Crab Pizza
Crab pizza is an impressive appetizer or meal. Spread pizza dough with garlic butter or olive oil. Top with crab meat, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. Bake until the crust is crispy. The crab gives this white pizza some extra richness.
9. Crab Mac and Cheese
For an indulgent mac and cheese, stir some crab meat into the cheesy sauce along with the pasta. Canned crab elevates boxed mac and makes it restaurant-quality. Top with extra crab meat and bread crumbs before baking.
10. Crab Rangoon
Crab Rangoon is a popular Chinese appetizer. Make your own version at home with wonton wrappers. Fill them with a mixture of crab meat, cream cheese, green onions, and garlic powder. Seal and fry until crispy. Serve with sweet and sour sauce.
11. Crab Fritters
Whip up some crab fritters as an appetizer or side dish. In a bowl, mix together crab meat with flour, eggs, parsley, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning. Scoop spoonfuls into hot oil and fry. Serve crab fritters with a creamy dip or drizzled with aioli.
12. Crab Salad Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps make a fun low-carb lunch. Sauté crab meat with minced garlic and veggies like zucchini or bell pepper. Fold the mixture into butter lettuce leaves and enjoy these hand-held crab salad wraps.
13. Crab Omelet
Jazz up your morning omelet with crab. Simply sauté some minced shallots then add chunks of crab meat to the pan. Fold in eggs and cheese to create a hearty, protein-packed crab omelet.
14. Crab and Corn Chowder
Chowder is wonderful comfort food, and crab adds luxurious flavor. Make a creamy corn chowder base using veggies, broth, potatoes, and heavy cream. Stir in canned crab at the end and season with Old Bay. Garnish bowls with fresh parsley.
15. Crab Artichoke Dip
For a warm, cheesy dip, combine canned crab with marinated artichokes, cream cheese, Parmesan, lemon juice, and seasonings. Bake until bubbly then serve with bread or crackers for dipping. It’s a nice change from spinach dip.
16. Crab Ceviche
Crab ceviche is fresh and bright, perfect for summertime. Mix canned crab with citrus juice, tomato, avocado, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. The acid “cooks” the crab. Chill for at least an hour before serving with tortilla chips.
17. Crab Fried Rice
Elevate leftover rice into a meal with canned crab. Sauté crab meat with sesame oil, garlic, ginger, scallions, and veggies. Toss in cold rice and let it heat through. A drizzle of soy sauce finishes this easy crab fried rice.
18. Crab Bisque
Rich, creamy bisque is made even better with crab. Sauté onion, celery, garlic, and flour to make a roux. Whisk in broth, heavy cream, white wine, and seasonings. Finally add crab meat and let it warm through for an elegant bisque.
There are so many possibilities with canned crab. It can be used in appetizers, sandwiches, brunch dishes, pastas, soups and more. Canned crab meat takes convenience foods like frozen pizza, boxed mac and cheese, and basic omelets from boring to gourmet fast. Keep a few cans in your pantry and get creative with canned crab today!
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.
How do you make canned crab meat taste good?
What are the best recipes with canned crab meat?
If you’re ready to feel like you’re visiting a seaside destination with some of the best recipes with canned crab meat, this article is for you. 1. Lowcountry Crab and Pimiento Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms 2. Scrumptious Shrimp and Crab Pasta 3. Shrimp and Grits With Crab 4. Skillet Creamed Corn With Crab 5. Lemony Garden Fresh Orzo Salad 6.
Is it safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy?
It is safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy as long as it comes from a reliable source, with appropriate hygienic and sanitary conditions for pre-preparation, preparation and packaging of this food.
How do you eat canned lump crab meat?
Here are some ways to enjoy it: 1.**Crab Cakes**: Combine canned crab meat with breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, eggs, and seasonings to make delicious crab cakes.Shape the mixture into patties and pan-fry them
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.