41 Tasty Crab Recipes (Real and Imitation Crab)

ByMolly Pisula Updated

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When it comes to decadence, you can’t beat fresh crab. Whether you are looking for an elegant party appetizer, a savory main course, or a hearty soup, crab never disappoints! Jumbo lump crab meat chunks need very little adornment besides a squeeze of lemon wedges.

While more cost-effective backfin or lump crab are great with seasonings like hot sauce, lemon juice, fresh parsley, dill, and of course Old Bay Seasoning. And, if you’re looking for an even cheaper alternative, imitation crab is the way to go for great flavor and a less expensive ingredient cost. 

A collage of crab meat recipes including dip with crackers, quiche with asparagus, soup with oyster crackers, and crab cakes with lemon wedges. Text reads Best Crab Meat Recipes.

Different Types of Crab for these Crab Recipes

Not all crab is created equal, and knowing the difference will help you pick the right one for each recipe here. Jumbo lump is the largest, most delicate part of the crab, and needs almost nothing done to it. It’s great in recipes where big chunks of crab are what you are looking for. Backfin and claw meat are smaller, more affordable pieces that can be used in dips and crab cakes, where the crab meat will be stirred together and often heavily seasoned. You'll also see specific species called for in some recipes, like Maryland blue crab (my home turf, and the crab I'm pickiest about), Dungeness, snow crab, and king crab (the splurge option with the biggest, meatiest legs). Using what’s fresh near you (if possible) is always the best choice!

Then there's imitation crab, which isn't crab at all. It's made from surimi (a mild whitefish, usually Alaska pollock, deboned and turned into a paste) mixed with starch, egg whites, sugar, and crab flavoring. It’s engineered to mimic the taste and texture of snow or spider crab meat and costs a fraction of what real crab does. That said, the taste is more like a mild, sweet-salty whitefish than crab, and the texture is stringy and somewhat elastic. It’s great in preparations like California rolls or sushi bakes, which are recipes developed for imitation crab. I wouldn’t choose it to replace real crab in a recipe where fresh crab is the star.

Appetizer Crab Recipes

Let’s start with the apps. From baked crab dip to a crab ceviche recipe and crab rangoon, you'll love all of these delicious ways to enjoy fresh crab. Many of these can be made in advance, so they will be ready when you are ready to serve. Perfect for any special occasion!

Main Course Crab Meat Recipes

Of course, crab cakes are the classic main course featuring fresh lump crab meat. We’ve got a favorite crab cake recipe here that leans in to its Maryland roots with crabmeat from blue crabs and plenty of Old Bay. From the other side of the U.S., Dungeness crabs, king crab, or snow crab legs are equally delicious. But there are so many other great options, from pasta dishes to quiche to soup.

Imitation Crab Meat Recipes

And don’t sleep on imitation crab meat! This low-priced option is the best way to get crab flavor on a budget. Love imitation crabmeat in a sushi bake or classic California rolls.

Now that you’ve got this list of top Crab Recipes, I hope you’ll try an easy recipe first to get you started. Like many high-quality ingredients, fresh crab meat doesn’t need much to truly shine—so many of these recipes can be made in under 30 minutes. Heaven for any seafood lover!  

Molly holding a colander of orange cherry tomatoes in front of her stove.

More About Molly

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Cooking healthy(ish) meals with seasonal ingredients is my passion. Trained as a French pastry chef, I spent over 10 years as a personal chef. Here you'll find well-tested recipes that you and your family will love!

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