Dungeness Crab Recipes

Dungeness crab recipes and sauces that are loaded with sweet and succulent crab meat. Whether it's a classic crab dip, creamy crab bisque, flavorful crab cake or a sauce to serve it with. These recipes showcase the natural flavors of this Pacific Northwest favorite.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, just hour form the ocean, means we have access to fresh caught Dungeness crab. And there is nothing quite like it.

I have spent years catching, cleaning, processing, and cooking crab. While the best way is just dipped in a garlic butter sauce we also like to get creative and add this ocean delicacy to so many different dishes.

Here is a collection of some of my favorites.

How to Cook with Crab

A few tips and things to remember when cooking with fresh Dungeness crab:

• Double check for shells: During the shaking and cleaning process little shells can get stuck. Pick through the meat real quick to make sure you find it all.
• Doesn't need much: Dungeness crab has a very distinct taste and really does not need much to make it shine. Stick to light flavors like herbs, lemon, and light sea salt.
• Cooks fast: Chances are you are not using raw crab meat for these recipes and it has already been cooked and removed from the shell. In that case, be very careful not to over cook. This will dry the meat out.
• Make it less fishy: Fresh caught crab should not have a strong fishy smell. But it happens. If you want your crab to be less fishy soak in milk for 15-20 minutes, drain and lightly rinse. The milk will help remove that fishy smell.

How to Prepare Crab

The first thing that needs to be done before making the following recipes is to get all that juicy crab meat out of the shell.

If you have the option to purchase it out of the shell, you can skip this step!

Read the following post to learn the most effective way to remove all that succulent crab meat.

How to Cook and Clean Dungeness Crab

The best way to cook and clean Dungeness crab! Whether freshly caught or purchased from your favorite seafood shop or grocery store, this step-by-step tutorial will be your guide to processing your fresh crab. Do not miss the section on shaking. It will save you so much time!

How to Cook and Clean Dungeness crab

Crab Deviled Eggs

Crab Deviled Eggs

Crab deviled eggs made with a pureed egg yolk, that is loaded with crab meat, fresh chives and lemon juice. Step the presentation up and top each one with additional crab and freshly cut chives. You will never make boring deviled eggs again!

Crab Deviled Eggs

Dungeness Crab Risotto

Crab Risotto

This crab risotto is bright, creamy, and full of Dungeness crab. The star of this dish is the beautiful crab meat; and because we want that to shine it's paired with fresh herbs and lemon to keep it light. 

Dungeness Crab Risotto

Dugeness Crab Bisque

Crab Bisque

This crab bisque is creamy, silky and irresistible. Start off with a tomato and vegetable stock base, then finished with fresh lump crab meat and cream. Top with oyster crackers or dunk in some sourdough bread.

Dungeness Crab Bisque

Hot and Cheesy Crab Dip

Hot Crab Dip

This hot crab dip recipe is so irresistible. Chunks of fresh crab meat mixed in melted cream cheese, cheddar, and pepper jack with some fresh lemon and chives. Serve hot or cold with a variety of dippers. 

Hot Crab Dip

Cold Crab Dip

Cold Crab Dip

This cold crab dip is a perfect summertime appetizer. It's creamy and loaded with fresh dungarees crab. Simple to make, can be ready in minutes and doesn't require any cooking.

Cold Crab Dip

What to Serve with Crab Dip

What to Serve with Crab Dip

Ideas to serve with your next hot or cold crab dip. From fresh homemade sourdough bread to crisp cucumber slices. Make an epic crab dip board to serve at your next gathering.

Ides to Serve With Crab Dip

Lemon Dill Sauce

Lemon Dill Sauce

Serve this fresh lemon dill sauce with your lump crab meat. Dill and crab were meant for each other and this tangy sauce is full of it.

Lemon Dill Sauce

Garlic Butter Sauce

Garlic Butter Sauce for Crab

This garlic butter sauce was made for fresh Dungeness crab. Anytime we catch and clean our crab this sauce is always off to the side.

Garlic Butter Sauce for Crab

Other Recipes to make with Dungeness crab:

• Seafood Boil - from Dinner at the Zoo
• Crab Cakes - from Once Upon a Chef
• Crab Rangoon - from Spend with Pennies
• Crab Salad - from the Recipe Critic
• Crab Stuffed Mushrooms - from Spend with Pennies
• Crab Linguine - from Vikalinka
• Crab Louie - from Food and Wine
• Crab Roll - from Wonky Wonderful
• Crab Mac and Cheese - from How Sweets Eats

Dungeness Crab Recipes FAQs

Other Seafood Recipes

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