Crab meat is delicious, high in protein, and low in fat and calories, so lump crab meat recipes are in high demand.
The thing we love most about crab meat is how versatile it is. You can use crab meat to make delicious dips, and crab meat can also be used to make appetizers or main dishes. However, crab meat is also delicious to eat by itself when drizzled with melted butter.
Although similar in taste to lobster, crab meat is much less expensive, so crab dishes are an excellent alternative for seafood recipes that call for lobster.
Crab meat is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of mouthwatering dishes. Rich in flavor and packed with protein, it adds an element of indulgence to any meal. From creamy bisques to scrumptious salads, the culinary possibilities with crab meat are endless.
From crab bisque to crab cakes, and cheesy hot crab dip to crab stuffed mushrooms, there’s a delicious crab meat recipe for everyone.
What to do with crab meat? Let’s dive in!
What Is the Best Method for Cooking Crab Meat?
If you’re wondering how to cook crab meat, you may be surprised to learn that there are a few different ways to cook this sweet and delicious seafood.
Crab can be steamed or boiled, but crabmeat can also be sauteed, baked, cooked in soups like gumbo or bisque, and even grilled. You can even stir fry crab.
Is Canned Crab Meat Fully Cooked?
All canned crab is fully cooked, so it’s a convenient and easy way to enjoy this delicious seafood.
What Goes With Crab Meat?
Do you need ideas for what to make with crab meat? Crab goes well with any foods that you would normally eat with seafood such as shrimp or lobster.
For example, cheddar biscuits and other types of bread are delicious with crabmeat. Other foods that go well with crabmeat are pasta dishes, green salad, vegetables such as corn on the cob, and sausage.
Source: thespruceeats.com
1. Crab Quiche With Cheese
Adding crab to quiche is an excellent idea.
This quiche recipe calls for Swiss cheese, but you can use other types of cheese, including cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese.
Half and half makes this crabmeat recipe even creamier.
Flavor comes from nutmeg, white pepper, and a dash of hot pepper sauce.
Source: honestfoodtalks.com
2. Spicy Crab Roll
Spicy crab rolls are hugely popular and beloved sushi rolls that have a fiery kick and a creamy texture.
You can make spicy crab rolls with either lump crab meat or imitation crab meat.
To make these spicy crab rolls, you need kewpie mayonnaise.
Source: thetopmeal.com
3. Jaiba Crab Ceviche
Ceviche is a traditional South American dish that usually has raw fish that has been “cooked” in a lot of fresh lime juice or fresh lemon juice.
Serve crab ceviche with pita chips or tortilla chips.
Source: hungryhuy.com
4. Kanikama Sushi Nigiri
The Japanese word for imitation crab is “Kanikama.” But what is imitation crab exactly?
Imitation crab, sometimes called “krab,” is made from processed fish meat. It’s absolutely seafood and nearly as yummy as fresh crab meat.
Kanikama is the most popular ingredient that you often find in California sushi rolls, crab Rangoon, and crab cakes.
California rolls are nearly as popular as crab cakes, and this recipe makes it look really easy.
Source: cafedelites.com
5. Crab Stuff Mushrooms
Crab stuffed mushrooms may be one of the best crab recipe ideas ever (and one of the best uses for thick, tasty mushrooms!).
This crab stuffed mushroom recipe calls for panko breadcrumbs, but you can actually leave them out and still have a delicious crabmeat dish.
The cream cheese and mayonnaise make this recipe extra delicious.
Source: spicysouthernkitchen.com
6. Seafood Gumbo
Louisiana cooking is more popular than ever, and perhaps one of the best-known Louisiana dishes is seafood gumbo.
This recipe for gumbo is loaded up with plenty of lump crab meat and Gulf shrimp, and the spicy kick is delightful.
For this seafood gumbo, you need a bottle of amber beer, Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, green onions, fresh parsley, chicken broth, andouille sausage, celery, minced garlic, and green bell pepper.
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
7. Simple Crab Salad
If you’ve ever been to a seafood buffet or Chinese food buffet, you’ve probably eaten the ubiquitous crab salad.
Often made with imitation crab meat, crab salad is tangy and creamy, similar to deviled crab.
This crab salad recipe can be made with either fresh crab meat or imitation crab meat. It contains Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, sea salt, black pepper, fresh dill, red onion, and celery.
You can eat crab salad on its own with a fork, but it’s also delicious to eat the crab mixture with crackers. Crab toast is also pretty tasty!
Source: peasandcrayons.com
8. Volcano Roll
A volcano roll is a type of sushi that’s often made with avocado, imitation crabmeat, green onions (scallions), cream cheese, and cucumber.
To make a volcano roll, you can use any type of seafood, including lump crabmeat, shrimp, salmon, or scallops.
The spicy sriracha volcano sauce is made with just sriracha sauce and mayonnaise.
Source: therecipecritic.com
9. Cheesy Hot Crab Dip
Cheesy crab dip is one of the most popular ways to cook crab meat, and this crab dip is made with two types of cheeses.
With cream cheese and cheddar cheese, this crab dip recipe promises tons of cheesy goodness.
The seasoning for this crab dip comes from Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
This recipe calls for canned lump crab meat, so it’s handy to keep a couple of cans of jumbo lump crab meat in the pantry.
Source: spendwithpennies.com
10. Crab Wontons / Crab Rangoon
One of the most popular finger foods at Chinese food buffets is crab rangoon, also known as crab wontons.
Crab rangoon appetizers are crispy and golden on the outside, and they have a delicious creamy filling that’s made with crabmeat and cream cheese.
Crab wontons are super easy to make at home. You just need some wonton wrappers.
The ingredients in crab rangoon are Worcestershire sauce, green onion, and garlic powder.
Source: copykat.com
11. Crab Bisque
One of the most popular lump crab recipes is crab bisque.
A bisque is a thick, creamy soup that’s usually made with crabmeat or lobster.
You can use any type of crabmeat to make this creamy bisque, but it’s particularly delicious with soft-shell crab or Dungeness crab.
The recipe calls for seafood stock, but if you don’t have access to seafood stock, you can use chicken stock or vegetable stock.
This lump crabmeat bisque contains butter, shallots, celery, dry sherry, and heavy cream.
Source: pipandebby.com
12. Imitation Crab Soup
To make this delicious and creamy crab soup, you need just five ingredients. Even better, this crab soup is ready to eat in less than half an hour.
This crab soup recipe calls for crab meat, but you can just as easily use imitation crab meat with excellent results.
Heavy cream and milk make this crab soup extra creamy, and the cooking sherry adds complex layers of flavor.
The only other things you need for this easy crab soup are sea salt and black pepper.
Source: theseasonedmom.com
13. Crab Imperial
Crab imperial is a classic seafood dish that’s made with jumbo lump crab meat and a delectable imperial sauce.
Essentially, crab imperial is a baked casserole that is oozing with crab meat and creaminess.
Topped with parmesan cheese, this crab imperial has plenty of cheesy flavor.
The flavors in this crab dish are made even more intense by the Dijon mustard, butter, diced onion, Old Bay seasoning, and Worchestershire sauce.
Although this crab meat recipe has complex flavors, there’s nothing complex about cooking it. It’s ready to cook with only 10 minutes of prep time.
Source: thewoksoflife.com
14. Crab Fried Rice
When you want healthy crab recipes, it’s hard to go wrong with crab fried rice.
This easy crab meat recipe can be made with any type of rice, including basmati rice or brown rice.
The seasoning for crab fried rice includes garlic, ginger, white pepper, soy sauce, fish sauce, Shaoxing wine, green onions, and cilantro.
Serve your crab fried rice with a lime wedge or a lemon wedge.
Source: dinnerthendessert.com
15. Crab Cake Sandwich
If you’re lucky enough to have a leftover crab cake, there’s no better way to enjoy them than with a crab cake sandwich.
Easy crab cakes are delicious when they’re freshly made, but a crab cake is just as good the next day when eaten on a golden brioche bun.
You can use this recipe for crab cakes, or you can use your own favorite crab cakes recipe.
Source: keyingredient.com
16. Maryland Crab Cakes Served With Tartar Sauce
One of the most well-known and popular crab meat dishes is homemade crab cakes made with Old Bay seasoning.
Everyone loves crab cakes, and when they’re made correctly, crab cakes are an easy delicacy to treat yourself with.
This recipe for crab cakes has a huge list of ingredients, but don’t let this intimidate you. Most of the ingredients needed for these crab cakes are pantry staples.
For these crab cakes, you need diced celery, Old Bay seasoning, red onion, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish.
The Old Bay seasoning is what really makes this crab cake recipe perfect. Fry your crab cakes in good quality olive oil.
Source: bakeitwithlove.com
17. Crab Stuffed Salmon
For seafood lovers, this crab stuffed salmon recipe is one of the best crab recipes.
The salmon is perfect with the flavorful, rich stuffing, and the crunchy panko bread crumbs make this crab dish melt in your mouth.
An easy crab recipe, this stuffed salmon looks like something that was made in an expensive restaurant.
Do you like easy crab meat recipes? Give this delicious crab meat dip a try. You can see the full instructions in the video below.

Our 20+ BEST Crab Meat Recipes (+Simple Crab Salad)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. crab meat
- 1/2 finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil mayo
- 1.5 Tbsp. fresh dill
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh dill for garnish.
Notes
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.
Nutrition
