13 Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Crab Meat

Crab is a delicacy that many people love to splurge on for special occasions or seafood-loving gatherings. However, once the initial crab feast is over, you may be wondering – what should I make with the leftover crab meat?

Leftover crab can seem like an indulgent ingredient but it doesn’t have to go to waste. With a little creativity, you can transform leftover crab into easy yet impressive dishes the whole family will love.

In this article, we’ll cover 13 delicious recipes and ideas for using up leftover cooked crab. From crab cakes and dips to crab pasta, sandwiches and more, these crab recipes breathe new life into leftover shellfish.

So next time you have extra crab meat on hand. try out these clever and tasty ways to enjoy every last bit!

Overview of Leftover Crab Recipes

Here’s a quick overview of the different ways to use leftover crab meat creatively

• Appetizers – Crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms, crab rangoon
• Dips – Hot crab dip, crab guacamole
• Salads – Crab louie, crab pasta salad, crab ceviche
• Sandwiches and tacos – Crab cake sandwiches, crab salad sandwiches, crab tacos
• Bakes – Crab quiches, crab mac and cheese, crab pizza
• Soups – Creamy crab bisque, crab and corn chowder
• Pastas – Crab alfredo, crab scampi, crab linguine
• Breakfast – Crab omelets, crab benedict

Now let’s explore some of these leftover crab recipes in more detail!

1. Mini Crab Cakes

Crab cakes are a classic way to repurpose leftover crab. Shape seasoned crab meat into bite-sized patties, coat in breadcrumbs, and pan fry for a crispy exterior. Serve as party appetizers or enjoy as a meal with remoulade sauce and lemon wedges. Adjust seasonings to create different flavor profiles.

Crab Patty Ingredients:

• 1 lb lump crab meat, picked over
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1/2 tsp Old Bay or Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil for pan frying

2. Cheesy Hot Crab Dip

Warm, gooey hot crab dip is irresistible served with crackers or fresh vegetable crudités. Combine crab with cream cheese, cheddar, spices and green onion. Bake until bubbling and top with extra cheese.

Hot Crab Dip Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 lb crab meat
• 2 tbsp green onions, sliced
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Serving Suggestions: Crackers, celery, carrot sticks

3. Crab Guacamole

Give traditional guacamole a luxurious twist by folding in leftover crab meat. The sweet crab pairs perfectly with the creaminess of avocado and bright acidity from lime juice. Serve as a healthy, protein-packed appetizer.

Crab Guacamole Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, peeled and mashed
• 1 lb crab meat, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Serving Suggestions: Tortilla chips, veggies, pita chips

4. Crab Salad Sandwiches

Transform leftover crab into delicious crab salad for sandwiches and lettuce wraps. Simply mix crab with mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery, parsley and seasonings. Serve on bread, stuffed in tomatoes or atop salad greens.

Crab Salad Sandwich Ingredients:

• 1 lb crab meat
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Serving Suggestions: Bread, lettuce leaves, stuffed tomatoes

5. Crab Tacos

Give Taco Tuesday a seafood twist with crab tacos! They’re quick and easy to assemble. Mix crab with pico de gallo, avocado and lime crema. Wrap in warmed corn tortillas and enjoy this flavor fusion.

Crab Taco Ingredients:

• 1 lb crab meat
• 1/2 cup pico de gallo
• 2 avocados, sliced or cubed
• Lime wedges
• 8-12 small corn tortillas, warmed

Lime Crema:

• 1/2 cup Mexican crema
• Zest and juice of 1 lime
• Pinch of salt

6. Crab Quiche

Quiche is an elegant brunch dish that’s perfect for using up leftover crab. Simply make your favorite quiche recipe and stir crab meat into the custard filling before baking. Serve warm wedges with fresh fruit.

Crab Quiche Ingredients:

• 1 pre-baked pie crust
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup half and half
• 1/2 lb crab meat
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese like gruyere or Swiss
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 tsp dried tarragon or thyme

7. Crab Mac and Cheese

For the ultimate comfort food, add crab meat to homemade macaroni and cheese. Stir cooked crab into the cheese sauce just before mixing with the pasta. Top with breadcrumbs or more cheese and bake until golden.

Crab Mac and Cheese Ingredients:

• 8 oz elbow pasta, cooked
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 lb crab meat
• 2 cups shredded cheese like cheddar, gruyere or fontina
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

8. Crab Pizza

Pizza night gets an upgrade with crab as a fun topping. Make or use store-bought pizza dough. Top with crab, cheese, diced tomatoes, spinach, onion or other favorite pizza toppings before baking.

Crab Pizza Ingredients:

• 1 lb prepared pizza dough
• 3/4 cup pizza sauce
• 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced
• 1/2 lb crab meat
• Sliced tomatoes, spinach, onion etc.

9. Creamy Crab Bisque

Bisques are refined seafood soups perfect for savoring every bit of leftover crab. Make a creamy broth with onions, celery, thyme and cream. Stir in crab meat just before serving. Garnish bowls with fresh parsley.

Crab Bisque Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 3 cups chicken or seafood stock
• 1/2 lb crab meat
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

10. Crab Chowder

For heartier leftover crab soup, make New England style crab chowder. Cook bacon, onions, potatoes in cream and broth. Add corn and crab toward the end, seasoning with Old Bay and herbs.

Crab Chowder Ingredients:

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 2 red potatoes, diced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 lb crab meat
• 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley

11. Crab Fried Rice

Take leftover rice to the next level by stir-frying it with crab meat, eggs, vegetables and soy sauce. It’s an easy weeknight one-pan meal. Cooked quinoa or farro also work instead of rice.

Crab Fried Rice Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, scrambled
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cups leftover rice
• 1/2 lb crab meat
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or oyster sauce
• Sesame oil to taste

12. Crab Pasta

Toss crab meat with hot pasta and herbs for an elegant, restaurant-worthy dish. Try crab with linguine or fettuccine paired with lemon-wine sauce or creamy alfredo sauce.

Crab Pasta Ingredients:

• 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine or lemon juice
• 1/