Best ever crab recipes

Our best ever crab recipes provide 14 ways to enjoy fresh crab - delicious with chilli or a squeeze of fresh lime, crab is perfect for impressing at a dinner party

Crab thermidor

Crab thermidor is a Longs Arms signature dish. We use sustainable pot-caught cock crabs from a small co-op of fishermen in Newlyn called Dreckly Fish, supporting our inshore fishermen and guaranteeing quality and provenance

Louisiana crabcakes with spicy mayo

These crabcakes are easy to prepare and perfect for entertaining family and friends. Using chilli tortilla chips as the coating gives them extra crunch and heat but you can also use normal ones, if you like.

Spicy crab and sweetcorn chowder with avocado

Tinned crab works really well in cooked dishes and is a fraction of the price of fresh. Use crab meat in this delicious spicy chowder packed with delicious fresh ingredients and zingy lime and avocado

Leek and crab lasagne

Leek and crab lasagne is lighter (under 500kcals) and more refreshing than the meat version and it has a great flavour. Either buy cooked crabs and pick out the meat yourself, discarding the grey-coloured gills and stomach, or buy picked meat

Salt-crusted Jersey Royals with crab and chilli dip

These make a great starter or snack to serve with drinks. They are salty as you’d expect, so don’t cut any of the potato up as they will absorb more salt.

Crab croquettes

For a crab cake that’s packed with crab meat try this easy starter or lunch dish. A mix of brown and white meat is bound in a creamy sauce, flavoured with mustard and fried to deep golden crisp croquette. If you’re a fan take a look at our best ever deep-fried things for more tasty treats.

Västkustsallad

Västkustsallad is a popular salad in Sweden. There are different versions of this west coast salad served all over Sweden with various seafood – the mushrooms are a constant though

Spicy crab club sandwich

Sriracha, a spicy, garlicky Thai chilli sauce, is popping up all over menus on anything from breakfast dishes to burgers. This punchy blend of rich mayo and sriracha from Brooklyn’s Empire Mayonnaise Co, available from M&S, is great for simple dipping and also transforms a crab club sandwich into the stuff of dreams

Chilli and ginger crab cakes with watercress

Homemade Thai crab cakes are quick and easy to make for a speedy midweek meal. Packed with crab, ginger, chilli and coriander, then served with watercress

Crab and avo tacos

These crab and avocado tacos are packed with fresh, zingy flavours and are ready in under 30 minutes

Baked crab and lemon gnocchi

This recipe for baked crab and lemon gnocchi feels indulgent but is really quick and easy to make, making it a great option midweek

Crab crostini

Light and delicate crab crostini make perfect canapés for drinks parties. Make the crab mix and toast the baguette ahead, but don’t assemble until ready to eat as the bread will become soggy

Dressed crab (Crabe farci)

This is an essential element in any assiette Creole (Creole platter). Blue land crab is now a protected species in the French Caribbean and it is only eaten at specific times of the year, but when the hunting season is open there are countless ways of cooking it. For this recipe you can boil sea crabs with bay leaves and salt, then pull out the flesh from the claws and legs; you will also need to wash and sterilise the shell before filling it. To save time, buy crabmeat from a fishmonger’s. This recipe was taken from Creole Kitchen by Vanessa Bolosier (Pavilion, £25)

Asian crab rice bowl

This quick and easy Asian-inspired crab rice bowl is light, zingy and packed with flavour. Serve with a squeeze of lime and chopped red chilli. Substitute crab for prawns if you prefer. Try some of our other asian salad recipes if you’re feeling inspired.