If you’re looking to add a new twist to your next party, why not try serving it on a plate of perfectly cooked jumbo lump crabmeat?
The best part about this dish is that there’s no need to spend time cooking or baking fish because all the preparation is done ahead of time.
This means you can get right down to enjoying yourself before you know it.
What Are The Ingredients In A Typical Crab Sauce Recipe?
There are two main ingredients in most types of crab sauces – cream cheese and mayonnaise.
You will also find other common items such as mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, sugar, and cayenne pepper.
Depending on how much heat you want, you can use either hot or mild seasonings.
You might be wondering what exactly goes into these sauces since they seem like basic condiments.
In reality, this type of food has been around for centuries.
It was originally created by Native Americans who used them as a way to preserve their catch while waiting for the right moment to hunt again.
As people were introduced to these sauces, they began using them with everything from meat dishes to salads.
The combination of sweet crabmeat paired with sour cream or mayo, spicy peppers, and tangy citrus flavors make these sauces perfect for any occasion.
When preparing this delicious treat, don’t forget to let the sauce cool completely after adding the crabmeat so you won’t end up burning your mouth off when trying to eat it.
What Is The Difference Between A Crab Sauce And A Regular Seafood Sauce?
A “regular seafood sauce” refers to any type of sauce used to enhance the flavor of other dishes, such as shrimp or lobster.
A “crab sauce”, however, is usually reserved for crab-based dishes like crab cakes or crab dip.
It tends to be more delicate than most seafood sauces, since the main ingredient is crab instead of a protein source like shrimp or salmon.
While many people use canned crab meat when they make their own sauces, homemade versions tend to have a bit less salt so they don’t overpower the overall taste profile.
How to cook crab sauce at home
There are two ways to prepare crab sauce at home: You can either boil it until thickened, or bake it into a casserole dish.
Here’s how to do each method:
- Boil the crab sauce: To start preparing the crab sauce, combine 2 cups of water and 1 cup of white wine in a medium pot over high heat. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix together ½ teaspoon of mustard powder, ¼ cup of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger. Set this mixture aside while you prep the crab meat.
- Use tongs to pull out 12 ounces (1½ pounds) of fresh crabmeat, discarding any shells in the process. Combine the crabmeat with the cooled broth and stir thoroughly until combined. Add 2 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning, mix well, and remove the pan from the stovetop.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the seasoned crabmeat evenly across a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, making sure to cover every last square inch of space. Bake the crab sauce for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking period.
- Remove the pan from the oven. Pour the remaining contents of the bowl onto a cutting board and, using scissors, cut up the crabmeat into small pieces. Sprinkle the chopped crabmeat with additional Old Bay seasoning if desired.
- Return the pan to the stovetop and bring the sauce back to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to thicken for 10 minutes. Serve warm with crackers or breadsticks.
Make crab sauce from scratch by baking it
To create a delicious homemade crab sauce, simply follow these instructions below:
- Combine 1 pound of fresh crabmeat with 4 cups of milk and 1 cup of heavy cream in a large mixing bowl. Use a fork to break apart the crabmeat and lightly fold everything together.
- Add 4 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup of flour, 1/8 cup of butter melted, 1/8 cup of flour mixed with 6 tbsps. of whole milk, 1/4 cup of sour cream, 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/4 tsp. of paprika, 1/4 tsp. of turmeric, 2 dashes of Tabasco, 1 pinch of nutmeg, and 1 dash of black pepper.
- Stir everything together until completely incorporated. Then pour the mixture into a greased 8×12 inch rectangular glass baking dish and spread it around the edges. Cover the top layer of crabmeat with aluminum foil and place the dish inside a larger pan filled with hot water. Place the entire setup in the oven for 20 minutes. After the first 20 minutes, check to see if the bottom of the dish has started to turn golden. If so, remove the outer pan and continue to bake for another 15 minutes. When finished baking, remove the dish from the oven and uncover.
- Pour off one third of the fat from the baking dish. Mix together 3 eggs and 1 egg yolk with 1/3 cup of half and half and pour them into the center of the dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and return to the oven for 25 minutes. During the final ten minutes of baking, sprinkle some cheese on top of the dish.
- After the final 10 minutes, take the pan out of the oven and carefully flip the entire thing upside down. Allow the eggy goodness to run out of the sides of the pan and onto the countertop. Scatter the remaining cheese over the top and serve immediately.
Is Crab Sauce Always Made With Fresh Crab Meat?
Yes, although some people use canned or frozen crab instead.
However, if you want to have a delicious meal that will impress everyone at your event, then using fresh crab is the way to go.
Fresh crab meat has more flavor than any other type of crab available in stores.
It also contains less fat compared to other types of crab meat.
You should never cook with fatty crab because when you heat up the oil, you risk burning off its nutrients.
You don’t even need to buy live crabs either.
Crab legs are perfect for making homemade crab sauces since they contain plenty of edible parts.
All you have to do is boil them until the shells turn red.
Once they cool down, pick out the meat inside the shell by removing it from the leg section.
If you prefer eating them raw, just remove the meat from the shells and eat it like lobster.
If you’re worried about how much crab meat you need, remember that every pound of crab yields approximately 2 cups of liquid.
So, as long as you purchase enough crab meat (and I recommend buying two pounds), you won’t run out of anything to serve your guests during their appetizer course.
Ingredients needed to make a crab sauce
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Dash of Tabasco sauce
- Lump crab meat
Instructions to make a crab sauce
First, mix together the ingredients listed above in a small bowl.
Next, pour the mixture into a pan that has been heated over medium-low heat.
Stir well so that everything gets evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Once everything is combined, cover the pan with aluminum foil so that it doesn’t burn.
After 15 minutes, uncover the pan and stir again.
Cook another 5 minutes, uncovered, then repeat the process once more after covering the pan again.
Continue doing this until the water evaporates completely and the sauce begins to thicken.
Remove the sauce from the heat and set aside to cool down.
How Do You Make A Crab Sauce From Scratch?
This delicious crab sauce is one of our favorite recipes because it’s so easy to put together and perfect for any occasion.
It’s also important to note that although we call it “crab sauce,” it doesn’t have to be limited to just using crab meat in it.
You could easily swap out the crab meat for shrimp, lobster, scallops, mussels, clams, salmon, or even chicken if you want something different.
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Dash of Tabasco Sauce
- 1 pound fresh crab meat
To begin making the sauce, melt the butter over medium heat until it becomes frothy and starts to bubble slightly.
Whisk in the flour, then slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly.
Once the mixture has thickened, remove from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients.
Then transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.
What Are Some Common Dishes That Are Served With Crab Sauce?
Crab sauce is perfect for any meal where you want something rich, creamy, and delicious.
It goes well with many different types of food including pasta, chicken, vegetables, rice, and even desserts like cakes and pies.
You can also find crab sauces in grocery stores, but they don’t taste as good as homemade ones.
1. Crab Cakes
- Creamy and cheesy
- Perfectly spiced
- Rich and tender
- Great side dish
2. Seafood Pasta
- Mild flavor
- Delicious
- Simple & quick
- A must-have at parties
3. Crab Rangoon
- Sweet and spicy
- Salty and crispy
- Easy to prepare
- Suitable for kids
4. Crab Salad
- Tender meat
- Fresh and light
- Complex flavors
- Healthier option
5. Lobster Rolls
- Chef-made
- Gorgeous presentation
- Delicately flavored
- Good source of protein
6. Fish Tacos
- Flaky texture
- Fantastic flavors
- Super easy to cook
- High in omega 3 fatty acids
7. Crab Dip
- Juicy dip
- Low fat
- Quick to make
- Easy to serve
8. Scallops
- Light and flaky
- Excellent flavor
- Easily prepared
9. Shrimp Cocktail
- Savory and sweet
- Elegantly presented
- Very low calorie
10. Oysters Bienville
- Rich and salty
- Tasty and healthy
- Easy to prepare
11. Clam Chowder
- Tangy and hearty
- Full of nutrition
- Filling soup
12. Fried Soft Shell Crabs
- Crunchy outside
- Soft inside
- Not too oily
13. Steamed Mussels
- Oven baked
- Delicate shellfish
- Best when fresh
14. Seafood Paella
- Hearty and savory
- Luscious and filling
- Fast to cook
15. Creamed Corn
- Smooth and buttery
- Deliciously seasoned
- Nutritious
16. Crab Cake
- Battered and deep fried
- Moist and fluffy
- Perfect for picnics
17. Crab Meat Pies
- Rich and moist
- Dense crust
- Very tasty
18. Jambalaya
- Chicken and seafood
- Spicy and full of flavor
- Great for leftovers
19. Crab Macaroni Casserole
- Crispy shells
- Loaded with cheese
- Yummy and comforting
20. Crab Soup
- Tastes great cold
- Packed with nutrients
- Easy to digest
Can You Buy Crab Sauce Already Made?
Crab sauces don’t have to be homemade.
Some restaurants sell pre-made versions of their own recipes.
If you want to serve something similar at home, look for a brand name you trust like Captain Morgan.
You might even find one that comes in a jar so you can just open it up and pour it over your food when you’re ready.
Either way, you should find that they taste great on any type of seafood.
The good news is that these sauces usually come in small quantities.
So if you decide to make them yourself, you won’t go through much extra effort to save money.
Plus, since they’re canned, you can keep them around indefinitely without worrying about spoiling them.
Of course, you could always make your own crab sauce too.
It doesn’t take very long and it saves you from having to worry about buying anything premade.
Here’s how to do it.
- Put 1 cup (250 ml) of dry mustard powder into a bowl.
- Add 2 cups (500 ml) of white wine vinegar and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper.
- Mix together thoroughly until everything is dissolved.
- Stir in ¼ cup (50 ml) of olive oil along with 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of lemon juice.
- Finally, mix in another half cup (125 ml) of olive oil, followed by two more tablespoons (30 ml) of lemon juice.
- Now you’ve got your crab sauce finished and ready to use.
How Long Does Crab Sauce Last In The Fridge?
Crab sauce has a short shelf life when compared with other types of sauces because its main ingredients—crabs and onions—do well at room temperature.
If you don’t make enough, however, then you should store the remaining sauce in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to three days if stored properly.
- 3-4 hours if left out at room temp.
- 1 day if refrigerated after opening.
You may want to double or triple the amount of sauce you prepare so that you have plenty of extra to bring along to parties and events.
You might also consider making two batches of sauce instead of one since you can freeze half of what you make.
When you reheat them later, they won’t taste as good but they still work fine.
What Are Some Ways To Use Up Leftover Crab Sauce?
The great thing about using leftovers like this is that they don’t have to be thrown away after one meal – they can be used again and again as needed.
One of the most common uses for leftover crab sauce is to top off baked potatoes or rice bowls to make them more filling.
You can also pour it over steak or vegetables if you want to add extra flavor and spice.
Another way to enjoy leftover crab sauce is by adding it into salads.
For example, when I had some leftover crab sauce from my previous Crabby Jambalaya soup post, I added it to coleslaw at a family gathering and everyone really liked the taste.
Use leftover crab sauce to top off baked potatoes
Baked potato skins are always good but they can get boring after awhile.
Try topping them off with leftover crab sauce instead.
It will give them a little something extra without making them too heavy.
- Put 2 slices of bacon in each half of a small oven-proof skillet (such as cast iron) and cook until crisp.
- Remove the bacon from the pan and let cool.
- Add 1/4 cup of crab sauce along with 1 tablespoon of butter and 3 tablespoons of sour cream to each skillet.
- Top each potato skin with two pieces of cheese, followed by another teaspoon of crab sauce.
- Place the skillets back in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted completely.
What Are Some Other Sauces That Go Well With Crab?
When choosing which kind of sauce goes best with crab, you have to keep in mind what type of cuisine you want to serve.
If you’re planning on having something more casual, like finger food, then you might opt for a thicker sauce, such as hollandaise.
However, if you’re planning on hosting a formal event, where guests will be sitting at a table, you should choose something thinner, so they don’t end up drowning their crab meat.
A good way to decide which sauce works best for you is by simply tasting different types of sauce.
You can also check out our guide to how to make a perfect hollandaise sauce.
Another option is to look online to see what kinds of sauces work with similar foods.
For example, if you’re thinking about adding blue cheese dressing to your crab salad, you could take a look at recipes made from lobster tail and/or shrimp.
1. Hollandaise Sauce
This classic French sauce has been around since the early 1800s.
It consists of butter, egg yolk, lemon juice, and salt.
When whisking together these ingredients, you must never let them come into contact with each other until just before you put them onto the pan.
Once you do, start stirring rapidly to avoid any curdling (separation) of the eggs.
The result of this process is a smooth emulsion of melted butter and beaten egg yolks.
This mixture is poured over whatever is being served, usually steamed vegetables, but can be used as a dipping sauce for bread sticks, crackers, or even grilled meats.
2. Blue Cheese Dressing
Blue cheese dressing is one of those dishes that seems simple enough, yet when you actually taste it, you realize that it takes quite a bit of skill to create a really tasty dip.
There are many varieties of blue cheese dressings available today, including blue cheese croutons, blue cheese vinaigrette, and blue cheese spread.
For starters, most blue cheese dressings contain sour cream, which helps to cut through the strong flavor of the aged cheese.
Other ingredients include mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, lemon juice, celery seed, onion powder, and pepper.
To finish off, you can either mix everything together with a spoon or shake it up in a jar using a stick blender.
3. Seafood Cocktail Sauce
Seafood cocktail sauce is another popular choice for serving with crab.
This is because it pairs very well with fresh seafood like clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, squid, and octopus.
Because these items tend to be high-fat, you shouldn’t use too much sauce.
Instead, you should only cook the seafood lightly to retain its natural flavors.
A common trick for achieving this effect is to quickly blanch the seafood first, followed by quick searing or grilling.
What Are Some Tips For Making A Great Crab Sauce?
A good crab sauce should be made from scratch using fresh ingredients.
Start by picking out the perfect crab meat from your local grocery store.
If you don’t have access to live crabs, then make sure to buy frozen ones instead.
Once you’ve got your crab meat in hand, start preparing the sauce.
You do not want to use any canned products as they will contain preservatives which could affect the taste and texture of your finished product.
Instead, choose to use only homemade ingredients.
While you might think that this would mean spending money on specialty items like whole spices, olive oil, and herbs, these are actually easy to find at most stores.
Once you’ve gathered everything together, begin mixing them up into one big bowl until you reach the desired consistency.
Make sure to stir often so that you avoid clumping together.
The last step is seasoning.
To keep things simple, just season with salt and pepper.
However, if you prefer something more complex, feel free to experiment with different flavors.
Some people even like adding garlic powder or lemon juice to their mixture.
With all the prep work done, now is the time to serve this delicious meal! Just set the table and lay the crab meat on top of each individual plate.
Then, pour the sauce over the top.
Serve immediately while the sauce is still warm.
Equipment
- food processor
- Saucepan
- Serving bowl
Ingredients
- 2 sticks salted butter
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- ½ squeezed lemon
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 white onion
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon pepper
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp six-pepper blend
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 3 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Creole
- ½ tbsp Old Bay mix
- 1 tbsp oregano
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the butter, onions, and garlic; process until the mixture is smooth.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, warm them. Add the spices and seasonings after that. Keep in mind when using Old Bay. If you add too much, the dish could become overly saucy and acidic. To simmer the sauce, lower the heat. Until the mixture starts to thicken and get a little darker, stir regularly.
- Continue cooking on low heat after adding the chicken broth. To keep the meal from becoming watery, the broth will thin the butter and intensify the flavors. This aids in blending the sauce’s spices and tastes. You are now ready to proceed without the addition of the Tabasco sauce, though you may want to add 1-2 tablespoons at this time. To finish, cook for a further 20 to 25 minutes.
- For the maximum experience, cook your meat or fish in it after it has been cooked and then drizzle it over your seafood. It complements grilled seafood the finest.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.