12 Dungeness Crab Leftover Recipes

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of leftover Dungeness crab is a crab cake. It’s a great way to use up leftover crab meat. Another great leftover recipe is crab dip. You can make this dip ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a few days. Serve it with chips or crackers.

Dungeness crabs are delicious, and there are times when the leftover ones can be pretty overwhelming. That’s where this list of leftover crab recipes comes in.

They’re easy to make, so they’re a great way to use up all those leftover dungeness crab legs.

Plus, most of these recipes have a seafood element, which is one of the best ways to use up those leftover shellfish.

So, before you toss your leftover dungeness crab into the trash, take a look at our list of amazing leftover crab recipes that will help you get the most out of your crab meat.

12 Dungeness Crab Leftover Recipes

Leftover Dungeness crab can be used in a variety of ways. Some of the most common ways include crab cakes, crab salad, crab soup, and crab casserole.

1. Dungeness Crab Cakes

There are plenty of reasons to love crab cakes, but here’s one more: they’re delicious and versatile. Whether it’s an easy weeknight dinner or a more complicated weekend meal, you can’t go wrong with a delicious crab cake.

2. Creamy Crab Bisque

This creamy soup is a wonderful way to enjoy leftover crab. It has a mild flavor that goes perfectly with the crab.

3. Dungeness Crab Arancini

Who doesn’t love arancini? These are basically fried rice balls that’re filled with cheese and spices, then breaded and pan-fried until crispy. We like to use Dungeness crab instead of lobster, but this recipe works just as well with either.

4. Crab Omelette

If you’ve ever had an omelet, then you already know how easy they are to make. And while that’s true of all omelets, it’s particularly true of the dungeness crab omelet. A dungeness crab omelet is one of the simplest and tastiest dishes to prepare at home. If you don’t have any leftover dungeness crab in the fridge, don’t worry.

See Also: What Vegetables Go in An Omelette? 11 Best Vegetables

You can easily substitute another type of crab or even shrimp. This dish is one of those simple but delicious recipes that makes it hard to resist. It’s also a great way to use up some of that leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

5. Easy Bacon Crab Roll

Bacon and crab are a perfect pair. And they’re both great for adding flavor to your next day’s breakfast. Here, you’ll find a super simple recipe for an easy bacon crab roll. Simply mix up the crab, bacon, eggs, and cheese.

Then, simply roll up the ingredients into a delicious crab roll that’ll be sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

6. Dungeness Crab Stuffed California Avocado

This stuffed California avocado is the perfect way to enjoy the sweet and savory flavors of leftover crab and bacon. The filling includes plenty of flavorful dungeness crab and lots of rich cheese. A perfectly ripe avocado makes this dish extra delicious and a little bit special.

7. Steamed Dungeness Crabs

A dine-in crab restaurant will often offer a complimentary steamed dungeness crab dish as a special. But if you’d rather enjoy this delicious dish at home, then you’ll need to shell out a bit more cash.

It’s easy to make yourself, and it’s always a welcome addition to any seafood feast. If you’d like to serve these delicious steamed dungeness crabs with a side of your favorite vegetable or side salad, it’s really not that much extra work. However, if you’d like to go the traditional route, it’s easy to serve with steamed rice or mashed potatoes.

8. Dungeness Crab Mashed Potatoes

Dungeness crab isn’t just for eating! It’s also an incredible ingredient to use in a variety of recipes. In this mashed potatoes recipe, you can add a little more crab flavor by using fresh dungeness crab instead of canned. To get the freshest crab flavor, you’ll want to buy your crab from a reputable seafood market.

9. Dungeness Crab Sandwich

If you’d like to bring a little extra flavor and spice to your lunch, then consider serving this sandwich for lunchtime.

To get started, simply slice a loaf of crusty bread in half and top one half with two thin slices of deli ham. Add a generous amount of leftover dungeness crab meat and top it all off with creamy avocado.

10. Oven-Roasted Dungeness Crab

Dungeness crab is as much a part of the Pacific Northwest as surf, rain and trees. But this meaty crustacean deserves more than a quick trip to the grocery store. Oven roasting is a surprisingly easy technique for making a flavorful meal from your next-day dungeness crab.

This recipe takes the fresh crab and lets it marinate in lemon juice and herbs while the oven bakes it into a tender and crispy treat.

11. Cracked Crab with Butter and Citrus

Cracking open the shells of your next-day dungeness crab is one of the best parts of cooking this crab. After cracking, the next step is to pick out the meat and toss it in a mixture of butter, citrus, and herbs. It’s delicious and a perfect way to serve this delicious crab.

12. Dungeness Crab Risotto

You’d be surprised how delicious this risotto is. It’s especially great if you’re serving this dish on a cold winter’s night or as an appetizer for a special dinner. What makes this risotto special is that it gets its creamy texture and savory flavor from the rice, but the other ingredients are classic to this type of risotto: butter, Parmesan cheese and of course, Dungeness crab.

See Also: 39 Easy Seafood Risotto Recipes I Can’t Resist

FAQ

How long does fresh Dungeness crab last in the fridge?

Fresh Dungeness crab is best when eaten immediately after purchasing. However, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you have the chance to eat a fresh Dungeness crab, then you should do so.

Is Dungeness crab good as leftovers?

Dungeness crab is delicious as leftovers, but if you do choose to reheat it, you may want to add a little more butter or cream for a richer taste.

Also, if you’re planning to make dungeness crab and then freeze the rest, it’s important to remove the meat from the shell before freezing. When freezing, you can either freeze it whole or separate the meat and freeze it in portions.

What is good with Dungeness crab?

There are so many different types of seafood that go well with Dungeness crab. A light salad is perfect for a summertime lunch or dinner, while a hearty soup or pasta is a great choice for a colder day.

Other options include grilled or steamed vegetables, a side of french fries, and even a grilled or baked potato.

How do you reheat Dungeness crab meat?

When you’re looking to reheat Dungeness crab meat, you can either pan-fry it or bake it. Pan-frying is a quick and easy way to reheat crab meat. You’ll want to use a nonstick skillet to prevent the crab from sticking to the pan.

When you’re baking crab meat, you’ll want to make sure to buy the freshest crab meat possible. You’ll also want to use a baking dish with high sides to ensure that the crab is cooked evenly.