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  5. 27 Crab Recipes to Make This Summer and Beyond

27 Crab Recipes to Make This Summer and Beyond

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated June 28, 2022
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Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

The approach of summertime gets us itching for all that the season implies. With our freshly painted porches ready and our pollen-covered cushions a mere memory, we're prepping our menus and lighting up our lanterns in preparation for a long summer of porch suppers. First up on the menu? Seafood, of course.

No matter if our melamine platters are serving up savory treats by the sea, lake, or backyard sprinkler—we just can't imagine a summertime meal without an impressive spread of flavorful sea creatures. Not to play favorites, but a buttery, savory crab sure does hold a special place in our hearts—and stomachs. And although we're firm believers that every at-home chef should master the art of the perfect crab cake, classic recipes such as that are only the beginning. (Don't worry, though: We have seven crab cake recipes on this list alone).

We recommend kicking summer off right by cooking your way through these next-level crab recipes—from Deviled Crab Melts to Cheesy Crab Dip and Sea Island Crab Fried Rice—one at a time. And good news: If you're in the South, you can get your hands on fresh crab after summer's end and keep going. Just be sure to do your research about where to get it and when! 

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Crab Boil with Beer and Old Bay

Crab Boil with Beer and Old Bay
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Crab Boil with Beer and Old Bay

If you haven't already, it's time to make this a summertime tradition. Andouille sausage, corn, and potatoes make a full meal on one pretty platter.

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Crab Pie

Crab Pie
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Crab Pie 

Meet the other savory pie you need to make this summer. Step aside, tomatoes.

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Deviled Crab Melts

Deviled Crab Melts
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Deviled Crab Melts

These open-faced sandwiches have dinner alfresco written all over them. Serve with something iced cold to drink.

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West Indies Crab Salad

West Indies Crab Salad
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: West Indies Crab Salad

This fresh and light salad is simply dressed, but still manages to pack in all the flavor.

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Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Mayo, Chives, and Lemon

Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Seasoning
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Mayo, Chives, and Lemon

A good crab cake is nothing without an equally good sauce. This Old Bay mayo amplifies the flavors in the delicious cake.

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Crab-and-Bacon Linguine

Crab-and-Bacon Linguine
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Crab-and-Bacon Linguine

Kick-up your weeknight summer dinners with this light linguine recipe. It's best served with plenty of crusty bread and white wine.

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She-Crab Soup

She Crab Soup
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: She-Crab Soup 

Top off a creamy bowl of this iconic Charleston soup with a spoonful of sherry.

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Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches

Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches

If you've never made homemade remoulade before, you're missing out. Crispy, perfectly fried soft-shell crabs are nestled within a bun and slathered with our top-notch version of the must-have seafood condiment.

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Hot Crab and Shrimp Dip

Hot Crab and Shrimp Dip

Recipe: Hot Crab and Shrimp Dip

If one kind of seafood isn't enough, we upped the ante with a crab and shrimp combo that is bound to make you weak in the knees. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve with crostini.

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Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip

Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Recipe: Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip

If you're a fan of crab, Old Bay seasoning, and artichokes (who isn't?) this is the dip for you. Bake until it's hot, bubbly, and begging for you to dig right in.

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Deviled Crab

<p>Recipe: Deviled Crab</p> <p>This Lowcountry dish is a true regional classic. If you're fortunate enough to get your hands on fresh, whole blue crabs for use in this recipe, forgo the individual tins and serve Deviled Crab in the shells themselves.</p>

Recipe: Deviled Crab

This Lowcountry dish is a true regional classic. If you're fortunate enough to get your hands on fresh, whole blue crabs for use in this recipe, forgo the individual tins and serve Deviled Crab in the shells themselves.

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Sea Island Crab Fried Rice

Fried Arkansas Black Apples
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sea Island Crab Fried Rice

Crab rice, a popular dish throughout the Lowcountry, but particularly in the Gullah Greechie communities, features a delicious medley of flavors that can work as either a main dish or a side. Bacon, crab meat, onions, and green bell pepper flavor rice with the type of goodness begging for an "mm-hmm.." from the very first bite.

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Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes

Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes

Don't overmix this crab cake recipe so you get the most out of your lump crabmeat. Tossing until the ingredients are just combined will give the cake more texture and flavor.

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Crab Imperial

Crab Imperial
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Crab Imperial

This hot dip turned casserole is a Maryland classic. It takes lump crabmeat and pairs it with an irresistibly creamy sauce that's loaded with flavor. You can make these in individual ramekins or a larger casserole dish. Serve with a side salad to make it a complete meal—oh, and don't forget the white wine.

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Gulf Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter

Gulf Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Gulf Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter

One of many crab cake recipes on this list, this iteration is special because it's straight out of coastal Texas. The main difference? It's made exclusively with Gulf crab, and you can officially count us as fans. 

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Creamy Crab Dip

Creamy Crab Dip
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Crab Dip

A creamy cold dip with a hint of nostalgia is just what your table is missing. Gently stir together the ingredients, then serve with celery, crostini, or toast points.

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Seafood Gumbo

Seafood Gumbo

Recipe: Seafood Gumbo

This gumbo is packed with seafood, including crabmeat, shrimp, and oysters, too.

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Deviled Crab Dip

Deviled Crab Dip
Credit: Eva Kolenko

Recipe: Deviled Crab Dip

Garnish this hot crap dip with benne seeds for a little crunch. It's great for serving a crowd.

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Cornbread Crab Cakes

Cornbread Crab Cakes

Recipe: Cornbread Crab Cakes

How to make crab cakes ultra-Southern? Swap the breadcrumbs or panko for cornbread crumbs, of course.

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Crab Cake Hush Puppies

Crab Cake Hush Puppies
Credit: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Crab Cake Hush Puppies

Serve these Crab Cake Hush Puppies with your favorite rémoulade or cocktail sauce for tasty appetizers. Hush puppies, a Southern classic made by deep-frying a cornmeal batter gets a seafood makeover. Served with a creamy, thick dipping sauce, these salty critters are a great option for a meal or an appetizer that aims to impress. Freeze any leftovers and defrost up to 3 months later.

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Lump Crab Mornay

Lump Crab Mornay
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Lump Crab Mornay

If there was ever a dip that was holiday-worthy, this is it. Gruyère cheese, dry sherry, and lump crabmeat bring the magic to a cream sauce that's perfectly smooth with a little dash of heat. Be sure to keep the dip warm in either a slow cooker or chafing dish.

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Herbed Crab Cakes with Green Goddess Dressing

Herbed Crab Cakes with Green Goddess Dressing
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Herbed Crab Cakes with Green Goddess Dressing

Looking for a light and fresh lunch? Whip up this recipe. Trust us: Green never tasted so good.

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Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce

Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce 

These mini creations make for great, bite-size appetizers. Toss them on some gem lettuce (for crunch and a vessel for holding), then top with this creamy sauce (for flavor and a welcome dose of hot sauce). 

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Christmas Crab Cakes

Christmas Crab Cakes
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Christmas Crab Cakes 

Yes, crab cakes can be served in December. This holiday recipe is a true testament to crabs being in season year-round in the South. 

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Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Hot Cheesy Crab Dip
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Think of this recipe as next-level cheese dip, dressed up with jumbo lump crabmeat, cream cheese, mayo, cheese, and hot sauce. 

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Crab-and-Corn Chowder

Crab-and-Corn Chowder
Credit: Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Crab-and-Corn Chowder

There's something special about starting a meal with a warm cup of chowder. This recipe works as a soup course, of course, but we'd argue that it's also hearty enough (thanks to the lump crabmeat) for lunch or dinner on its own. 

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Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw

Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw

Yes, they really are the best-ever. Make up a batch or two and don't skimp on the slaw.

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    1 of 27 Crab Boil with Beer and Old Bay
    2 of 27 Crab Pie
    3 of 27 Deviled Crab Melts
    4 of 27 West Indies Crab Salad
    5 of 27 Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Mayo, Chives, and Lemon
    6 of 27 Crab-and-Bacon Linguine
    7 of 27 She-Crab Soup
    8 of 27 Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches
    9 of 27 Hot Crab and Shrimp Dip
    10 of 27 Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip
    11 of 27 Deviled Crab
    12 of 27 Sea Island Crab Fried Rice
    13 of 27 Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes
    14 of 27 Crab Imperial
    15 of 27 Gulf Crab Cakes with Lemon Butter
    16 of 27 Creamy Crab Dip
    17 of 27 Seafood Gumbo
    18 of 27 Deviled Crab Dip
    19 of 27 Cornbread Crab Cakes
    20 of 27 Crab Cake Hush Puppies
    21 of 27 Lump Crab Mornay
    22 of 27 Herbed Crab Cakes with Green Goddess Dressing
    23 of 27 Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce
    24 of 27 Christmas Crab Cakes
    25 of 27 Hot Cheesy Crab Dip
    26 of 27 Crab-and-Corn Chowder
    27 of 27 Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw

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