18 Best Canned Crab Meat (+ Recipes)
You are a seafood lover and love to have crab meat but you don’t live near a coastal region so what is the solution? Simple-canned crab meat. You will get the same taste and quality as fresh crab meat.
I am also a big lover of crab meat and unfortunately, I also don’t live near the coastal area. But canned crab meat has the same nutrient content, same taste and it is juicy as well.
Crab meat in a can is also a very good protein source and has an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals, so it is good for health.
But now we are spoilt with a lot of choices and it gets very confusing to find the best among the lot.
How To Find The Best Quality Crab Meat In A Can
Apart from reading reviews before buying the product, there are certain features you can look for in the best quality product.
The best quality canned crab meat will have chunks of crab meat, it shouldn’t look like a puree and doesn’t have shells.
It will be juicy and will have the same flavor as fresh crab meat. The texture of the canned crab meat should also resemble fresh crab meat. It has a mushy texture.
Color also plays an important role. If the color is ivory then it is perfect but if it is white then it is not for you and additives are used in it. The high-quality canned crab meat is soft and tastes sweet just like fresh crab meat.
Now we know the best indicators of high quality canned crab meat, let’s find the
Best Canned Crab Meat
1.Chicken Of The Sea Lump Crab Meat
It is a lump crab. There are no preservatives used in this. It has good nutrition including omega 3 fatty acids and protein. This can be used for making dinner recipes or snacks.
The quality is top class with great texture and amazing flavor.
It contains chunks of crab meat and tastes sweet. You can use it to make crab cakes, salads, crab dips, pasta dishes, and many more recipes.
2.Handy Seafood Premium Lump Crab Meat
This crab meat is perfect for any meal. It contains a high amount of protein and the taste is simply great. It can be used to make crab cake, crab salad, or dips and is completely shell-free.
The product is free from any additive resulting in high shelf life. This pasteurized product is free from any flavor.
3.Crown Prince, Fancy White Lump Crab Meat
It does not contain any preservatives and tastes similar to fresh crab meat. The product has zero trans fat. Like fresh crab meat, this also is a good source of protein.
It does not contain fat and carbs. You can use it to make a number of recipes including salads, pasta recipes, and more.
This fat-free lump crab meat has a sweet flavor and tastes similar to fresh crab meat. It is wild-caught and a product of Thailand.
4.Bumble Bee, Premium White Crab Meat
Produced in the USA, it is one of the most premium canned crab meat. Each serving contains 9 grams of protein.
There is no trans fat and no carbs. It also contains 6% calcium and other nutrients.
For muscle building, it is one of the best options. It has great taste and flavor and can be used in a number of recipes.
5.Heron Point Jumbo Lump Crab Meat
This pasteurized canned crab meat can be used to make crab cakes, salads, and other crab recipes. It contains calcium, iron, vitamin, and an adequate amount of protein.
The flavor and texture are similar to fresh canned crab meat. It is soft and tastes sweet.
6.Miller’s Select Special White Crab Meat
It is one of the best options in the market. This product is best for appetizers, dips, and other crab recipes. It is completely shell-free. Each serving contains 13 grams of protein.
It has zero trans fat and contains no carbs. Each serving has 8% iron and 2% calcium.
It tastes great. Now you don’t have to go to coastal regions to buy crab meat. Just buy this canned meat and you are good to go.
7.BLU Crab Meat
Produced in Indonesia this canned crab meat tastes great. It is soft and sweet and can be used in salads, appetizers, and other crab dishes.
Each serving contains 11 grams of protein, 15% iron, and 6% calcium. It does not contain fat and carbs.
This is one of the best products to build muscle and one of the premium products for sure.
8.Handy Jumbo Lump Pasteurized Crab Meat
You will get a big chunk of crab meats that are perfect to make dips, crab cakes, and dinner recipes. The flavor and texture are similar to fresh crab meat.
You will get 11 grams of protein per serving along with other nutrients like iron and calcium. It does not contain any trans fat and carbs.
It is certainly one of the best products out there.
9.Sea Fare Lump Crab Meat
This tastes as good as fresh crab meat. The texture and flavor are top class. It can be used to make all kinds of crab recipes like appetizers, crab cakes, salads, pasta dishes.
The big chunk of crab meat is soft and sweet. It contains 13 grams of protein per serving with no carbs and no trans fat. It is perfect for building muscles.
10.Phillips Wild Caught Premium Crab Lump
This is a wild-caught premium lump crab meat that contains a high amount of protein and can be used in carb imperial, dips, crab cocktails, casseroles. It is known for its amazing taste.
This shell-free product is pasteurized and has a high shelf life.
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11.Handy Pelagicus Jumbo Lump Pasteurized Crab Meat
It is known for its amazing taste. You will get 11 grams of protein per serving.
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12.Chicken Of The Sea White Crab Meat
This white crab meat is sweet with a mild flavor. Per serving contains 13 grams of protein. You can use it in salads, casseroles, or dips.
13.Crown Prince Wild Caught Crab Meat
It is a gluten-free product and contains a high amount of protein. Each serving has 16 grams of protein. This product can be used for dips, ceviche, and salads. It is shell-free.
14.MW Polar Seafood, White Crab Meat
This is a complete wild-caught crab. It has got 100% white meat. You will get a lot of meat for just a reasonable price.
15.Reese Leg Crab Meat
It is wild-caught crab meat and works great for dips, salads, and sushi rolls. If you are looking for high protein crab meat then look no further as this contains 18 grams of protein per serving.
It contains only 1% of fat in each can.
The leg meat gives a special flavor. The product has a longer shelf life as it does not contain any preservatives.
16.Crown Prince Natural Fancy White Lump Crab Meat
It is an excellent protein source and contains calcium too. This is wild-caught crab meat and does not contain MSG or sulfites. It does not have any preservatives. The best part is it is a Non-GMO Project verified.
It contains 17 grams of protein per serving.
17.Geisha Wild Caught Crab Meat
This is a wild-caught product that contains leg meat. The sweet flavor will work great for salads and dips. Apart from the high amount of protein it contains minerals too.
18.Consul Crab Meat
The meat and leg are in shredded pieces. It will be perfect for sandwiches or for any kind of stuffing. It does not contain trans fat and is completely gluten-free.
Canned Crab Meat Grades
There are different types of canned crab meat grades like white crab meat, jumbo meat, claw meat, leg meat, lump meat.
Lump crab meat is served as a standalone dish as it looks appealing whereas white crab meat with its flaky texture is mostly used with other ingredients to make a dish.
What Is The Difference Between Farmhouse Seafood And Wild Caught Seafood?
Wild-caught crabs are born in their natural habitat like lakes, and rivers. Farmhouse crabs are born in man-made tanks in a controlled environment.
Wild-caught crabs are better and healthier as they eat their natural diet.
But in stores, you will mostly find farmhouse seafood but they have their own advantages. If you are following the keto diet canned foods are beneficial as they are gluten-free.
The other advantage is they are available all year, unlike wild crabs. Also, canned crabs have higher sustainability.
Can You Eat Canned Crab Meat Without Cooking?
Yes, canned crab meat is already cooked and then stored in the can so you can eat it directly. You can use it to make crab recipes.
Do I Have To Refrigerate Canned Carb Meat?
Yes, you need to always keep it in the refrigerator whether you have opened the can or not.
Do I Need To Rinse Canned Crab Meat?
No, you don’t have to rinse it, it is ready to eat.
How To Find If The Canned Meat Is Spoiled?
If the crab meat smells bad or if the color has changed then it is spoiled.
Can You Freeze Canned Crab Meat?
Yes, you can freeze canned crab meat. This will increase the shelf life. Keep it in an airtight container.
Lump Crab Meat Vs Claw Meat
Claw meat is darker and has a stronger flavor than lump crab meat and it is best used for appetizers or soups.
Canned Crab Meat Recipes
You can make canned crab meat in a variety of ways. You can use it as appetizers, crab cakes, dips, salads, and in many more recipes.
1. Crab Cake
It is one of the best appetizers.
To get the best result use Jumbo lump crab meat.
It takes half an hour to make.
The ingredients include canned jumbo lump crab meat, mayonnaise, panko breadcrumbs, dijon mustard, and hot sauce.
2. Crab Pasta
It is one of the most popular canned crab recipes in our home.
You can make it in just 20 minutes.
The ingredients include pasta, canned crab meat, lemon, butter, and parsley.
3. Stuffed Seafood Mushrooms
It takes around 45 minutes to make.
You need to preheat the oven to 400°F.
The ingredients include canned crab meat, Italian breadcrumbs, mushrooms onion, and canned shrimp.
4. Crab Imperial
It takes almost half an hour to make.
You need to preheat the oven to 350°F.
The ingredients include mayonnaise, lemon juice, canned crab meat, beaten eggs, and old bay.
5. Arlene’s Bacon And Crabmeat
You can make it in just 35 minutes.
The ingredients include canned crabmeat, duck sauce, and bacon.
6. Crab Melts
It is pretty easy and quick to make.
You can serve it in just 15 minutes.
The ingredients include English muffins, canned crab meat, mayonnaise, tomato, paprika, and onion.
7. Hot Crab Dip
This is one of the most popular dips in our home and I usually make it on a game day or a movie night.
It is best served with crackers or chips.
You can make it within half an hour.
The ingredients include canned lump crab meat, cheddar cheese, sour cream, old bay seasoning, and chives.
8. Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms
It requires 25 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of cooking time.
The ingredients include crab meat, white mushrooms, mayonnaise, green onion and garlic.
9. Maryland Crab Cakes
The recipe requires 40 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of cooking time.
The ingredients include egg, mayonnaise, canned crab meat, salt and parsley.