6 Fresh Crab Meat Recipes (Dinners + Dips)
Got fresh crab meat and don’t know how to use it? I’m sharing 6 easy, fresh crab meat recipes that’ll make weeknight cooking feel fancy without the fuss. Here you’ll find lots of inspiration using fresh lump crab meat, to make delicious meals at home. It’s easier than you think with some meals made in only 20-30 minutes!
If you’re looking to switch it up from the usual ground turkey, chicken, or beef, you’ve come to the right place. Growing up in Maryland, my love for crab runs deep. The mistake I see people making the most is not using fresh lump crab meat in their recipes. It’s important to use the right kind of crab especially when it’s the star of the show.
I understand crab can be intimidating to use in recipes, but I promise it simpler than you think. The secret is to use the best quality, fresh lump crab meat you can find. Yes, it comes at a cost, but I promise it’s worth the splurge every once in a while. I’ve tried using imitation crab in place and the result is just not the same.
I love using fresh lump crab in my recipes because it’s mild in flavor and can be used to make crab cakes, fried rice, pasta, dips and more! It’s just so versatile!
Keep scrolling for some of my favorite crab meat recipes that can all be made simply, right at home any night of the week.
Feeling excited and ready for even more? Check out all my dinner recipes here! There’s lots more inspiration to get you through those busy weeknights.
I hope you love these recipes as much as I do!
Don’t forget THE most important ingredient when it comes to seasoning your food properly and making it taste amazing…SALT. My all time favorite salt is Redmond Real Salt and you can use code lifeisbutadish for 15% off! Check out my post all about salt to learn more.
Baked Crab Cake Sliders
Enjoy tender, flavorful crab cakes perfectly seasoned with shallots, garlic, and a hint of spice. Paired with a creamy, tangy sauce and nestled between soft, buttery brioche buns, these Baked Crab Cake Sliders are a mouthwatering dish that strikes the perfect balance between elegance and comfort food!
20 Minute Crab Fried Rice
With just a handful of simple ingredients and 20 minutes, you can whip up a delicious Crab Fried Rice that combines the sweetness of lump crab meat with the savory goodness of fried rice. Enjoy this easy rice dish for a quick weeknight meal when you need something satisfying and delicious!
20 Minute Crab Linguine
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with a seafood twist in this 20 Minute Crab Linguine recipe. Succulent lump crab meat mixes with al dente linguine, bathed in a buttery garlic sauce and brightened by zesty lemon. This quick and easy dish is a perfect choice for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion!
The BEST Baked Crab Cakes
This baked crab cake recipe is packed with fresh crab and pairs perfectly with a homemade lemon mayo sauce. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees.
DIY At-Home Sushi Night
You don’t have to be a trained chef to have a delicious DIY At-Home Sushi Night! Here’s how my family makes sushi hand rolls right at the kitchen table…no raw fish necessary!
10-Minute Cold Crab Dip with Cream Cheese
This is an easy recipe for cold homemade crab dip. Quick to make, this crab dip is ultra creamy because it combines both cream cheese and Greek yogurt with chunks of real crab meat. A bit of horseradish and Worcestershire sauce also give this dip a terrific extra kick! Ready within 10 minutes—can’t beat that!
6 Fresh Crab Meat Recipes: Baked Crab Cake Sliders
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 sliders 1x
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Oven baked
Description
Enjoy tender, flavorful crab cakes perfectly seasoned with shallots, garlic, and a hint of spice. Paired with a creamy, tangy sauce and nestled between soft, buttery brioche buns, these Baked Crab Cake Sliders are a mouthwatering dish that strikes the perfect balance between elegance and comfort food!
Ingredients
FOR THE CRAB CAKES:
- 1 shallot (chopped)
- 2–3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 16 ounces fresh lump crab meat
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white
- ½ – ¾ cup cornflake crumbs or panko breadcrumbs
FOR THE CRAB CAKE SAUCE:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- Juice from 1–2 lemons
- 1–2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
FOR SERVING:
- Brioche slider buns
- Lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat a small pan over low heat. Sauté shallot and garlic for about 5 minutes or until soft. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl combine crab meat, mayonnaise, salt, egg white, and corn flake crumbs. Mix together using a fork, slightly breaking up the crab meat until the mixture is well combined. If the mixture is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise. If the mixture is too wet, slowly add a little more corn flake crumbs.
- Add the sautéd shallot and garlic to the crab mixture and mix.
- Form crab cakes into small, individual patties (about ¼ cup each) and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. If not using right away, place formed patties in the fridge covered, for 30-60 minutes or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake crab cakes for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Make the sauce. Scoop mayonnaise into a small bowl. Whisk in lemon juice and sriracha until you reach the consistency that you like.
- Assemble the sliders. Gently toast the slider buns on a lightly greased pan or grill if you want, then add a crab cake and top with a generous amount of sauce, a piece of lettuce and serve.