Crab Tacos Recipe: How to Make Crabmeat Tacos

Crab tacos consist of cooked crabmeat wrapped in a warm tortilla, often garnished with sauces and herbs. Crab is a saline, soft protein which pairs well with clarified or melted butter. Many also enjoy eating crab legs, which can be a bit laborious to work through–but so flavorful that the labor is well worth it. Aside from eating crab directly out of the shell, crab salad and crabcakes are two other famous crab recipes.

Crab fans debate the merits of king crab vs. Dungeness crab, but it’s okay to use a less expensive variety to make tacos. Mexican tacos are immensely customizable and reliable, whether served in a corn tortilla or flour tortilla, soft or hard-shell, vegetarian, vegan, or chock-full of animal protein. Crab adds a delicate, saline sensibility that provides a lighter seafood taco experience that is flavorful and surprising.

You can prepare crab tacos in many ways: Don’t limit yourself to the basics. Here are some ideas to customize your crab tacos:

1. 1. Add a slaw. Crab is a relatively soft protein, so a crisp, raw cabbage slaw is an excellent addition to provide some textural differentiation. Try the scallion slaw from Chef Roy Choi’s Korean short rib tacos for an East-meets-West twist.
2. 2. Add a soft, creamy element. Crème fraîche, sour cream, or avocado add a welcome diversification to the mouthfeel and consistency of the taco.
3. 3. Consider complementary sides. Crab tacos lend themselves to an array of side dishes. Tortilla chips and guacamole are classic, but you can also: repurpose leftover crab into a bright crab salad; make a rich slaw and serve it alongside the taco instead of atop it; or pair the tacos with plàtanos and a garlic mojo sauce.
4. 4. Decide if you want to deep-fry the crab. If you want to highlight the integrity of the crab itself, opt for a simply steamed protein. For an indulgent main dish, opt for deep-fried crab tacos.
5. 5. Incorporate chili peppers for a kick. Thinly sliced jalapeño or serrano peppers are a great addition for any heat seekers. If you don’t have fresh chili peppers, try a few dashes of hot sauce or incorporate some canned chipotle in adobo into a creamy element (like sour cream).
6. 6. Mix up your toppings. Serve this dish street taco–style, with a lime wedge, chopped fresh cilantro, and raw white or red onion. Or, go Tex-Mex with shredded lettuce, salsa, and shredded cheese. For a more flavorful sauce, use mole or an avocado crema. Lastly, choose your cheese. If you can, seek out a Mexican cheese like cotija, Oaxaca, or queso fresco, but even mozzarella or cheddar can take the tacos to the next level.

Some cooks may opt for other proteins because crab can be intimidating to work with, but there’s no need to fear this crustacean. Here are some tips:

1. 1. Buy lump crabmeat. If you’re not comfortable with breaking down a whole crab, purchase lump crabmeat. You can find it in most grocery stores but expect to pay a premium price. Another option is to ask your fishmonger to extricate the meat; this might cost a bit more, but you probably won’t have to worry about any errant shell pieces.
2. 2. Fresh produce is optimal for crab tacos. Get inspired by the produce at your local grocery store or farmers’ market: juicy limes, fragrant cilantro, crunchy radish, cabbage, and jicama; even zucchini can work in a taco. Raw, crisp produce—or even lightly pickled vegetables—will bring your taco to life.
3. 3. Use your favorite tortillas. Nothing beats a homemade tortilla fresh off the comal. Learn how to make them yourself with an easy corn tortilla recipe. Or, save time by purchasing a bag of your favorite tortillas at the grocery store. Soft, hard, flour, corn: They’re all great selections.
4. 4. Separate leftovers. When handling leftovers, keep the components separate: If you pack premade tacos up and put them in the fridge, they’ll be soggy and unappetizing the next day. Store the cooked crab in one container, wrap the tortillas in foil or plastic, and store all of your accouterments individually in airtight containers. Here’s how to heat corn tortillas when you’re ready to assemble your leftovers.
5. 5. Change the format. Go outside the box and make a tostada, or perhaps a crab taco salad. Adding a super-crispy element will elevate the softer textures in the dish.