Top Ways to Serve Crab Claws: Chef-Inspired Recipes & How Much Crab to Serve

by Oleg Nikitenko September 13, 2024

The Best Ways to Serve Crab Claws

Crab claws are one of the most popular and luxurious seafood options, making them ideal for dinner parties, special occasions, or even as a weekend treat. Whether you’re working with king crab claws, snow crab claws, or Dungeness crab, there are endless ways to prepare and serve these delicacies. In this article, we’ll dive into chef-approved crab recipes, how much crab to serve per person, and the best tips for making crab claws the star of your meal.

Looking for premium crab to serve at your next event? Shop for the finest crab at Global Seafoods, offering a variety of delicious crab options such as Snow Crab Legs Clusters , Golden King Crab , and Dungeness Crab Whole .

Chef-Inspired Crab Claw Recipes

1. Emeril Lagasse’s Cajun-Spiced Crab Claws

Renowned chef Emeril Lagasse is famous for his bold use of spices, especially in seafood dishes. His Cajun-spiced crab claws are the perfect way to bring some heat to your dinner party. The combination of spicy Cajun seasoning with the sweet, succulent crab meat makes this dish a winner every time.

  • Chef Emeril’s Tip:
    “Cajun seasoning gives crab claws the perfect balance of heat and flavor, allowing the natural sweetness of the crab to shine through.”

How to Serve: Toss crab claws in Cajun seasoning and melted butter, then grill or bake. Serve with corn on the cob and boiled potatoes for a complete Cajun seafood feast.

Best Crab for This Recipe:

2. Thomas Keller’s Lemon Butter Crab Claws

Chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry has perfected the art of keeping things simple to let quality ingredients shine. His lemon butter crab claws are an elegant and straightforward way to showcase premium crab. The lemon butter enhances the crab’s natural sweetness without overpowering it.

  • Chef Keller’s Tip:
    “Less is more when working with crab. A simple lemon butter sauce lets the true flavors of the crab take center stage.”

How to Serve: Steam the crab claws and serve with a warm lemon butter dipping sauce. Add a side of grilled asparagus or a fresh salad for a light, gourmet meal.

Best Crab for This Recipe:

3. Bobby Flay’s Grilled Crab Claws with Garlic Herb Butter

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay is known for his grilling expertise, and crab claws are no exception. His recipe for grilled crab claws with garlic herb butter adds a smoky, savory flavor to the naturally sweet crab meat. Perfect for summer BBQs or dinner parties, this recipe is sure to impress your guests.

  • Chef Flay’s Tip:
    “Grilling crab claws adds a smoky depth of flavor, while garlic herb butter keeps them fresh and flavorful.”

How to Serve: Grill crab claws on medium heat, basting with garlic herb butter as they cook. Serve alongside roasted vegetables and a side of aioli.

Best Crab for This Recipe:

How Much Crab to Serve Per Person for a Party

If you’re planning a crab-themed dinner party or seafood boil, you’ll want to make sure you have enough crab claws for everyone. Here’s a handy guide to calculate how much crab you’ll need for each guest:

  • Appetizer: Plan for 1/2 to 3/4 pound of crab per person if you’re serving crab claws as an appetizer.
  • Main Course: For crab claws as the main dish, prepare 1 to 1.5 pounds of crab per person.

For example, if you’re hosting 8 people and crab claws are the main course, you’ll need approximately 8 to 12 pounds of crab claws.

Explore the premium crab selection at Global Seafoods to order enough crab for your next party, including Golden King Crab and Dungeness Crab Whole.

Creative Ways to Serve Crab Claws

1. Chilled Crab Claws with Cocktail Sauce

A refreshing and simple way to serve crab claws is chilled with cocktail sauce. This method highlights the natural sweetness of the crab and is perfect for warm weather or casual gatherings.

  • How to Serve: Chill the crab claws on a bed of crushed ice and serve with tangy cocktail sauce. Garnish with lemon wedges for a bright, refreshing dish.
  • Best Crab for This Dish: Snow Crab Legs Clusters , Dungeness Crab Whole

2. Crab Claws with Spicy Cajun Butter

Add some bold flavors to your crab claws with a spicy Cajun butter. This is a great option for seafood boils or casual gatherings where your guests love bold, robust flavors.

3. Crab Claw Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce

For a decadent seafood pasta dish, combine crab claws with a creamy Alfredo sauce. This rich and comforting meal is ideal for special occasions or when you want to impress your dinner guests.

  • How to Serve: Toss cooked pasta with a homemade Alfredo sauce, add crab claws, and top with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
  • Best Crab for This Dish: Golden King Crab , Dungeness Crab Clusters

Where to Buy Premium Crab Claws for Your Recipes

When preparing crab dishes, it’s essential to use the freshest and highest-quality crab claws available. Global Seafoods offers a wide selection of premium crab products to meet your needs, including:

Looking for more? Explore our King Crab Collection for even more premium crab options, or check out our Featured Products and Red Caviar to complement your meal.

FAQs About Serving Crab Claws

Q: How many pounds of crab claws should I serve per person?
A: For an appetizer, plan for 1/2 to 3/4 pound per person. If crab claws are the main course, aim for 1 to 1.5 pounds per person.

Q: What’s the best way to prepare crab claws?
A: Crab claws can be steamed, boiled, grilled, or baked. For a classic option, steam them and serve with melted lemon butter. For a bolder flavor, toss them in garlic herb butter or Cajun seasoning and grill.

Q: Where can I buy high-quality crab claws?
A: You can purchase premium crab claws at Global Seafoods, including options like Golden King Crab and Snow Crab Legs Clusters .

Conclusion

Crab claws are a versatile and delicious seafood option that can be served in various ways, from simple lemon butter to bold Cajun-spiced recipes. By incorporating chef-inspired ideas from Emeril Lagasse and Thomas Keller, you can create unforgettable crab dishes for your next dinner party or casual gathering.

Ready to serve premium crab at your next event? Visit Global Seafoods to shop for the freshest crab claws, including Snow Crab Legs Clusters , Golden King Crab , and more! Pair your crab with our Caviar or try our Dry-Aged Fish for a complete seafood experience.

Back to News
Go to full site