These crab cakes are a Maryland classic. They are made with fresh lump crab meat and just enough filler to hold it all together.
Chesapeake blue crabs and crab cakes are so good that they’re almost religious in Maryland. My family is a dedicated devotee. Our favorite crab shacks are all along the Eastern shore and in the area. Every summer, we go to all of them to enjoy the view of the bay and the sand between our toes.
I’d never attempt making steamed blue crabs at home. Big steamers with live crabs? Eww! But I often make crab cakes, which taste just as good and are easier to make (and eat). The key is using fresh lump crabmeat and just enough filler to bind the crabmeat together. I love them with tartar sauce, but you could also serve them with lemon wedges or cocktail sauce. Don’t forget the peel-and-eat shrimp, hush puppies, and cornbread.
Crab meat is one of the most versatile and delicious types of seafood you can buy. With its sweet succulent flavor and delicate texture, crab meat transforms everything from appetizers to main courses. If you’ve recently bought some fresh crab and aren’t sure how to use it, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 13 amazing ways to use crab meat in recipes!
1. Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are a classic way to use lump crab meat They make an elegant appetizer or main dish. The key is binding the crab meat together with minimal filler so the fresh taste and texture of the crab shines through I like to use panko breadcrumbs, egg, and just a touch of mayo or sour cream. Season with Old Bay, parsley, lemon zest, and black pepper. Pan fry the cakes until golden on both sides. Serve with lemon wedges or a lemony aioli.
2. Crab Dip
Warm, creamy crab dip is one of the best party appetizers. Simply combine lump crab meat with cream cheese, sour cream, cheese, and seasonings. Bake until hot and bubbly. Serve with crackers, chips, or raw veggies for dipping. Garnish with extra crab meat or chopped parsley. It’s rich, savory comfort food at its finest!
3. Crab Salad
Simple crab salad makes an easy, refreshing lunch or light dinner. Mix together lump crab meat, lemon juice, mayo or Greek yogurt, diced celery, minced onion, fresh dill, and salt and pepper. Serve the salad over greens or make crab salad sandwiches on croissants or rolls. You can even stuff the crab salad into avocados for a tasty low-carb option.
4. Seafood Pasta
ToLumps of crab meat pair perfectly with linguine or spaghetti. Sauté minced garlic in olive oil, then add lump crab meat and cook briefly. Toss with pasta, fresh parsley, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Garnish with extra Parmesan. For extra decadence, add some cream or cream cheese when tossing everything together. It’s restaurant-quality pasta made easy.
5. Crab Quesadillas
For a quick weeknight dinner, fill flour tortillas with a cheesy crab filling. Sauté onion and bell pepper, then mix with lump crab meat, shredded cheese, and seasonings. Add a spoonful to each tortilla, top with more cheese, and grill until crisp. Serve with guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream. It’s an easy way to get kids to eat seafood!
6. Crab Cakes Benedict
For a special weekend brunch, top crab cakes with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. It’s a decadent spin on eggs Benedict that’s guaranteed to impress your guests. Use any recipe for crab cakes and poach the eggs while the crab cakes cook. Top each crab cake with an egg and drizzle with hollandaise sauce and fresh chives. Serve with roasted potatoes on the side.
7. Crab Rangoon
These Chinese-restaurant favorites are easy to recreate at home. Simply mix cream cheese with crab meat, onion, and seasonings. Place a spoonful in store-bought wonton wrappers and pinch them shut. Fry in oil until golden brown and crispy. You can play around with the filling ingredients too. Creamy crab rangoon is the ultimate appetizer!
8. Crab and Corn Chowder
For a hearty, comforting soup, make a creamy corn and crab chowder. Cook bacon, onion, and potatoes in chicken broth. Add corn, crab meat, and cream or half-and-half and simmer. Finish with parsley and Cajun seasoning. You could also add diced bell pepper or jalapeno for more flavor. Top bowls of chowder with oyster crackers or more fresh crab.
9. Stuffed Salmon
Take basic salmon fillets to the next level by stuffing them with crab. Make crab filling by mixing crab meat with cream cheese, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, lemon juice and zest. Cut salmon fillets open to create pockets and stuff with the crab mixture. Bake until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily. The sweet crab filling pairs perfectly with the salmon.
10. Crab Fried Rice
Transform leftover rice into an easy crab fried rice. Simply cook onion, peas, carrot and scrambled egg in sesame oil. Add cooked rice, crab meat, soy sauce, sesame oil and oyster sauce, plus other desired veggies or seasonings. Toss everything together until piping hot. The crab meat adds lots of extra flavor and protein that takes this classic to the next level.
11. Crab Pizza
Pizza usually means pepperoni or veggies, but don’t overlook seafood as a topping! Use crab meat in place of or in addition to other toppings like bacon, pineapple and jalapenos. The key is going light on sauce and cheese to let the crab shine. Drizzle pizza with lemon olive oil and fresh herbs after baking. It’s an unexpected pizza combo everyone will love.
12. Crab Ceviche
For a fresh, light appetizer, make crab ceviche by marinating cooked crab meat in citrus juice and spices. Mix lump crab with lemon and lime juice, diced onion, tomato, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno, and seasonings like cumin and paprika. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to “cook” the crab in the citrus juices. Scoop ceviche onto tostadas or tortilla chips for a perfect party snack.
13. Crab Tortillas
Warm tortillas stuffed with crab make an easy taco alternative any night of the week. Saute onions and bell peppers, add crab meat, and season with chili powder, cumin, salsa and lime. Place the filling into warmed corn or flour tortillas and add desired toppings like cabbage, queso fresco, avocado, and cilantro. The seasoned crab filling also makes amazing enchiladas topped with green sauce and cheese.
With its sweet, succulent flavor and delicate texture, crab meat can elevate everything from dips to pizza. I hope these recipes have inspired you to use crab in exciting new ways. From crab fried rice to crab quesadillas, the possibilities are endless. What will be your first crab masterpiece?
What You’ll Need To Make Maryland Crab Cakes
It’s very important to use fresh, good-quality lump crab meat. Find crab meat that was just caught off the boat. It comes in a clear plastic container and is usually sitting on ice in the seafood section. It’s expensive, but one pound is enough to make six generous crab cakes (or 12 mini ones).
If you can’t find fresh lump crab meat, the next best thing is chilled crab meat like Phillip’s, which is easy to find all year. Avoid shelf-stable canned crab meat, which contains additives that affect the taste and texture of the meat. (Try fresh salmon cakes instead of crab cakes if you want to save money or when fresh crab meat isn’t in season.) ).
For those who follow the rules, you can leave out the celery. I love the little crunch it gives to Maryland crab cakes, but you can do without it if you want to.
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What Can I Make With… Imitation Crab! | Cooking for Two | 4 Easy Recipes using Imitation Crabmeat
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.
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.
What to eat with tinned crab?
Tinned crab can be quite versatile, and there are several delicious dishes you can create with it.Here are some ideas: 1.**Crab Dip**: Whip up a creamy crab dip by mixing tinned crabmeat with cream cheese,
What to eat with crab meat?
Sink your claws into something fresh and meaty with these sensational crab meat recipes. From creamy bisque and zesty pizza to cheesy quesadillas and timeless crab cakes, they do not disappoint. WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE? Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Crab meat is a versatile protein loaded with nutrients and flavor.