Yes, we know that crab, especially the Alaska King Crab and Dungeness Crab we serve, is SO tasty that there might not be any left over. That being said, you should always save some of that sweet, juicy, satisfying crab meat for the next day. Here are 6 of our very favorite ways to enjoy leftover crab.
OK, there are actually two tied here. First, a very simple breakfast idea is to elevate your avocado toast to Crab Meat Avocado Toast:
Serve as shown, or top with an egg done over easy. Either way, it is a breakfast to remember.
This is our second favorite way to eat crab for breakfast. It takes a little more work, but it’s not big. Make little Crab Egg Bites in a mini-muffin pan. In ours, we used an egg, peppers, spinach, mozzarella cheese, and King crab meat, and baked them at 375 degrees.
When it comes to decadent seafood dishes, crab is one of the most luxurious and delicious options. From Dungeness to king crab legs, snow crab claws to blue crab, a fresh crab feast is utter heaven. However often after cracking and picking leftover crab meat off the shell there’s more leftover than you know what to do with. Rather than wasting any of that precious crab meat or simple reheating it plain, get creative with these 17 tasty ways to use up leftover crab for more crabtastic meals and snacks!
1. Crab Cakes
A classic crab cake is one of the most popular go-to recipes for leftover crab. Combine the crab meat with breadcrumbs, egg mayo Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, and a minced bell pepper in a bowl. Form into patties and pan fry in butter or oil for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges and remoulade or tartar sauce for divine crab cakes.
2. Crab Salad
Leftover crab also shines when chilled in a fresh crab salad Simply combine the crab meat with diced celery, minced red onion, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon, and fresh dill or parsley Season to taste. Enjoy it stuffed in avocado halves, scooped over salad greens, stuffed in tomatoes, or as crab salad lettuce wraps.
3. Creamy Crab Dip
For an easy hot appetizer or snack, turn leftover crab into a rich, creamy dip. Combine crab meat with cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, Old Bay, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, and green onions. Bake until hot and bubbly, then serve with crackers, chips, or fresh veggies for dipping.
4. Crab Macaroni and Cheese
Transform your regular mac and cheese into a crabby delight by tossing chunks of leftover crab meat into the cheesy sauce. Stir it together and top with breadcrumbs or extra cheese before baking until golden and bubbly. The crab gives a wonderful extra richness and brininess.
5. Crab Omelet or Frittata
Jazz up your morning eggs by folding leftover crab meat into an omelet or frittata. Simply sauté crab meat with onions, peppers, spinach or other veggies, then pour in whisked eggs. Add cheese on top if desired. Cook until set, sprinkle with fresh herbs, and enjoy this crabby egg dish any time of day.
6. Crab Ceviche
For a refreshing appetizer, use leftover crab in place of raw fish in a homemade ceviche. Marinate chopped crab with lime juice, diced tomatoes, onions, serrano chiles, cilantro, avocado, and a pinch of salt. Chill for 1-2 hours to “cook” in the lime juice and serve with tortilla chips.
7. Crab Soup
Elevate a creamy soup by adding leftover crab meat. Prepare a base of cream, chicken broth, potatoes, onion, and celery. Simmer until tender, then stir in crab meat and warm through. Finish the chowder with Old Bay seasoning, parsley, and a splash of lemon juice.
8. Crab Fried Rice
Stir leftover crab meat into fried rice for an easy weeknight one-pot meal. Sauté crab with rice, eggs, peas, carrots, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The crab adds plenty of extra flavor in every bite.
9. Crab Melts
For an easy hot sandwich, top slices of bread with a cheesy crab mixture then broil until melted and bubbly. Combine crab with mayo, lemon juice, minced onion, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and shredded cheese. Pile onto bread and broil 5-6 minutes until the cheese is melted.
10. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Mix leftover crab with cream cheese, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, lemon juice, and herbs. Stuff into large mushroom caps and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400°F. The hot, juicy crab filling pairs perfectly with the earthy mushrooms.
11. Crab Pizza
Leftover crab is amazing sprinkled on top of pizza. Prepare your favorite pizza crust, then top with crab meat, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil. Bake until the crust is crispy and cheese is melted.
12. Crab Tacos
For a fun taco night, fill soft tortillas with leftover crab, shredded cabbage, diced avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro, and a spritz of lime. Serve with hot sauce or crema on the side for a unique fusion feast.
13. Crab Pasta Salad
Chill leftover crab meat in a refreshing pasta salad. Toss cooked pasta shells with crab, halved cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, peas, and feta cheese in a lemony vinaigrette dressing. Let marinate before serving this bright, protein-packed salad.
14. Crab Flatbread
Top a storebought flatbread crust or homemade pizza dough with crab meat, provolone, Parmesan, tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves. Add red pepper flakes and a drizzle of balsamic glaze if desired. Bake 10-12 minutes until the flatbread is crisp.
15. Crab Scramble
Make a deluxe breakfast scramble with crab meat, eggs, spinach, red peppers, green onion, garlic, and Parmesan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often until the eggs are set. Serve crab scramble with hash browns or an English muffin.
16. Crab Cakes Benedict
For a next-level brunch, serve crab cakes over English muffins topped with poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. Use leftover crab cakes or make quick mini crab cakes to assemble this impressive seafood eggs Benedict.
17. Crab Salad Sandwiches
Make easy sandwiches with leftover crab salad like classic crab salad rolls or crab salad wraps. Mix the crab filling with mayo, lemon, celery, onion, and parsley. Stuff into sub rolls, croissants, or lettuce leaves for portable crab-packed lunches.
With these quick and clever ideas, you can reinvent leftover crab into something new while avoiding waste. So next time you crack open fresh crab for dinner, remember to save those leftovers to extend the crabby feasting into another meal or snack. Get creative with combinations, seasonings, and recipes to put that precious crab meat to delicious use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leftover Crab Meat
How long does cooked crab meat last in the fridge?
Cooked fresh crab meat will keep 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to store it in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze crab meat up to 3 months.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover crab?
To reheat leftover crab meat, place it in a colander or steamer basket set over boiling water. Cover and steam 2-3 minutes just until warmed through. This retains moisture best. You can also very gently reheat in the microwave or sauté.
Can you freeze leftover crab cakes?
Yes, crab cakes freeze very well for up to 3 months. First cook them fully, then cool completely and place in freezer bags with parchment paper between each cake. Reheat directly from frozen by sautéing in butter or baking at 375°F.
What spices or seasonings pair well with crab?
Old Bay, garlic, lemon, parsley, paprika, cayenne, white pepper, dry mustard, and celery seed are all fantastic for seasoning crab. Butter, mayo, sour cream, and cream cheese also complement crab beautifully.
What are some quick and easy crab recipes?
Easy crab recipes include crab salad, crab dip, crab omelets or scrambles, crab melts, crab fried rice, crab mac and cheese, crab soup, and crab tacos or ceviche. Crab also shines simply served cold with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.
FAVORITE SIDE DISH – CRAB MASHED POTATOES
Make your favorite mashed potato recipe (garlic mashed potatoes are our favorite), and then just add crab meat right before serving. Then, as you eat you mix the crab meat into the warm mashed potatoes.
FAVORITE APPETIZER IDEA – CRAB PUB BITES
Crab meat is used in many appetizers. We particularly love this simple approach that combines the casual and the elegant. Place some pub cheese on a small crostini (or your favorite cracker, if you’d rather) and then cover it with crab meat shreds. If you want to serve it warm, put the crostini and pub cheese in the oven for a few minutes and then add the crab right before you serve.