27 BEST Canned Crab Meat Recipes You'll Love To Make! 🦀 (2024)

Are you looking for Canned Crab Meat Recipes? We’ve rounded up 27 of our favorite recipes with crab meat that you can make at home.
Crabs are pretty famous around the globe, and there are tons of recipes you can make with them.

If you’re running out of time and can’t grab a fresh one, you can always grab a canned version and use it as a replacement.

You’ve read that right, folks!

There is no longer a need for long preparation times because crabs are now in cans!

Not only that, but different brands offer various kinds of crab meat so that you can choose one that best suit your recipe:

Collecting the meat is difficult; imagine the number of crabs it takes to fill one can.

As such, it’s no surprise that a can of Jumbo Lump is comparatively more expensive than the other kinds.

On the other hand, Crab Claws have a more intense flavor than the other parts and are also less sweet.

These are just some aspects you need to consider in choosing which kind of crab meat or canned crab to work with.

We have some scrumptious canned crab meat recipes for you to choose from, such as Mango Crab Avocado Salad, Seafood Lasagna With Crab, Shrimp, Scallops, & Calamari, and Spicy Kani Crab Roll.

Give this new knowledge a try and knock yourself out with these 27 canned crab meat recipes we’ve collected for you so that you can jump-start your journey to the canned crab fandom!

#27 is undoubtedly a must-try!

Are you tired of your usual dipping sauce?

Cleanse your taste buds and follow this recipe for a delicious dip!

Partner with plain crackers, and these are perfect as an appetizer or snack.

Use freshly chopped parsley or green onions as a garnish for added color.

If you’re looking for a great snack you can share with friends or an appetizer to serve at a co*cktail party; these Crab Puffs are what you need!

Since they’re baked, there’s not much grease you can get from frying.

They’re perfect as finger foods and can be served with a dipping sauce and a glass of wine.

You can swap the salmon with Chilean sea bass, red snapper, rainbow trout, or flounder for this crabmeat recipe.

Remember that salmon is very easy to overcook, so pay attention to its color and texture.

The crab meat balances out the salmon, and the mayo and cream cheese give it a silky texture to prevent the fish from drying.

If you want to know what to serve with salmon, pull up this list of 27 recipe inspirations to help you get started.

This straightforward Crab Salad is easy to prepare; in fact, it’s one of the quickest recipes with crab meat!

Adding some chili is optional but recommended for more vibrant color and texture and a spicier experience.

Mix your ingredients in a bowl, and you can serve it on a halved avocado for a complete meal!

If you live in Maryland, you probably know that crab cakes are as essential as the oxygen itself!

This crab cake recipe has the approval of both locals and tourists alike, so don’t miss out on this delicious seafood cake.

If you have a lot of time on your hands, you can try this traditional creamy French dish.

Serve together with cold white wine and toasted bread, and you’ve practically made a great dinner for you and your partner without going to expensive restaurants.

Remember to clean your mushroom by removing the stems and wiping out the gills, but don’t soak it too long in water because it will release water while cooking.

This appetizer will surely please your guests (and yourself) with the crunchy outside layer and the creamy insides!

Juicy Crab Cakes with lemon zest and cilantro are irresistible, especially for those looking for a snack to fill their bellies.

It goes great with mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or even grilled cauliflower.

We have some delicious ideas for what to serve with crab cakes right here!

You could prepare another easy yet satisfying dish in less than 5 minutes!

Remember to mix gently, not to break or shred the crab meat, as the large chunks are the main attraction of this dish.

Looking for lump crab meat recipes to make for dinner?

This traditional dish from Virginia is made with lump crabmeat and baked until golden brown with Parmesan cheese on top.

It’s like a crab cake that evolved into a casserole as each serving is paired with a creamy seasoned sauce.

Another classy yet easy-to-make recipe if you’re not in the mood to go to a restaurant.

These delectable pintxos combine a lemony fresh crab salad with smoked salmon and salty pops of salmon roe and a drizzle of fragrant vanilla oil.

Linguini is the ideal pasta dish for any occasion and is a great partner for crab meat.

Remember that the pasta will continue to cook in the sauce, so be careful about getting it too mushy.

Get your baguettes ready because this one’s on its way to partner up with your bread.

Bruschetta has always been a versatile snack with the immense variations of toppings that you could fill on the top, and this is undoubtedly one of the best versions of it!

You can serve this garnish with your steak and a great glass of wine; simply perfect for a romantic night with your partner.

One of the BEST canned lump crab meat recipes indeed!

To make the pasta saucier, you can add some finely chopped tomatoes after frying the garlic and chili and before you add the crab meat.

Stir the crab meat well with the drained pasta and evenly coat both with the sauce.

You can now serve it with a drizzle of olive oil and a side dish of green pasta.

Who doesn’t love a spiced-up briny crab salad sandwich with hearty bread or even just an excellent topping for artisan crackers?

You can also serve it on a bed of lettuce or slather it thickly on top of a baguette slice.

The fresh lasagna sheets are interlaced with creamy bechamel sauce layers and a seafood mix of crab, shrimp, scallops, and calamari topped with fresh mozzarella cheese.

Adding lobster or fish like halibut or salmon would make this dish even more luxurious and delicious!

Remember to lightly use the bechamel sauce to avoid the lasagna being too wet or mushy.

Winter is not yet here, but hey, Jon Snow isn’t here to stop you from making a delicious warm Crab Soup.

You even can mix in some sherry in your soup if you’re feeling up to it.

What about ceviche if you’re wondering what to make with canned crab meat?

Ceviche is a popular South American dish traditionally made with raw fish cured with a lot of lime or lemon juice that’s usually eaten either as an appetizer or as a side dish with corn chips, tortilla chips, or tostadas.

Add some jalapenos or some red pepper chili if you want some spice, and always remember to use a glass bowl whenever you’re making the ceviche (it’s the best for acidic dishes).

A crispy wonton with a lush and creamy crab filling?

Yes, please!

Biting down into this wonton will surely make your taste buds explode with a unique flavor!

Bacon, corn, potato, crab, and cayenne pepper all in one flavorful, creamy chowder?

If you have an Instant Pot, you can cook this comfort food in just 30 minutes!

Here’s a twist to this traditional Italian dish.

This ravioli is not only mouth-watering but fancy as well!

Another elegant yet straightforward dish contains creamy mascarpone, chives, rice, crab meat, and baby peas.

Gently fold your crab meat with the rest of the ingredients onto the pan so you won’t break or shred the meat.

What to do with canned crab meat?

Enter Spicy Kani Crab Roll!

This dish is a famous Japanese sushi roll with creamy, satisfying, and fiery spicy flavors.

Made by shredding Kani crab stick, seasoning it with spicy sriracha mayo, wrapping it in nori seaweed sheets and seasoned rice.

You can use kanikama (imitation crab’s often used in California rolls) instead of canned crab meat.

You can give out this versatile dish as appetizers or snacks at a buffet or co*cktail party by cutting them into small slices or squares and serving them with chips or a salad.

You can use French bread, ciabatta, or custom-cut slices of plain toasted bread.

Mac and cheese are made even better with the addition of crabs!

Your kids will fall in love with its rich and creamy texture.

A great salad to cool off after a hot day that you can partner with any dressing of your choice.

If you’re having surprise guests and have nothing planned, you can whip this up in less than 10 minutes.

Just mix the vegetables and your crab meat into a large mixing bowl, and you’re all set!

The bottom line

Cooking with crabs is no longer as time-consuming as it used to be now that canned crabs can be used as an alternative.

Canned crab recipes are not hard to find.

Your family and friends will surely enjoy anything you come up with.

Looking for more crab food options, we’ve compiled lists of 12 Best Crab Toast Recipes, 21 Insanely Good Crab Meat Recipes, and 24 Yummy Imitation Crab Recipes that you should definitely check out.