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    Home » Seafood

    Crab Nachos

    Published: Dec 23, 2020 · Modified: Aug 4, 2022 · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    These easy crab nachos are made with tortilla chips, cheese, Dungeness (or canned) crab, and a quick garlic yogurt sauce. Perfect for a quick dinner or game day!

    Crab Nachos in a Pan

    I’ve been on a nachos kick lately.

    Can we make Nacho Night a weekly thing? Sort of (exactly) like Taco Tuesday?

    We’ve been digging into campfire nachos and black bean nachos. And now, I present “the nachos” you’ve been waiting for.

    You didn’t know you were waiting. But trust me, you were.

    Crab nachos.

    These crab nachos are inspired by my beloved crab fries, but are even easier and faster to make. Because you don’t have to cook the fries!

    Want more crab recipes? Try a crab omelette, crab pizza, King crab Louie salad, grilled King crab salad, Dungeness crab eggs Benedict and mini crab cakes.

    Dungeness Crab Legs
    Dungeness Crab Legs

    What Kind of Crab Should I Use?

    I love using Dungeness crab for these nachos.

    Can’t find Dungeness crab? It’s okay: just use the crab you have on hand.

    It’s delicious and totally worth the effort to prepare. If you need help prepping the crab, read about how to steam and crack crab legs.

    Once you crack the crab, make sure to keep the shells and make homemade seafood stock!

    Can I Use Canned Crab?

    You sure can!

    Try to avoid any extra-cheap $1 cans of crab. Look for cans that label the type of crab inside or labeled lump crab meat.

    Want more help picking out canned seafood? Check out this ultimate guide to canned fish.

    How to Make Crab Nachos

    Start by lining a sheet pan or an oven-safe pan with tortilla chips. I used this Lodge 12″ carbon steel skillet.

    Next, top the chips with cheese. I recommend using a mix of queso fresco and and fresh mozzarella.

    Top the cheese with pickled jalapeños and diced avocado.

    Add Cheese to Tortilla Chips
    Add Cheese to Tortilla Chips
    Add Avocado + Jalapeños
    Add Avocado + Jalapeños

    Add the crab and chives.

    Slide the nachos into the oven.

    Add Crab to Nachos
    Add Crab to Nachos

    While the nachos cook, whisk together the garlic yogurt sauce.

    As soon as the cheese melts, pull the crab nachos out of the oven.

    Bake Until Cheese Melts
    Bake Until Cheese Melts

    Drizzle the yogurt sauce over the nachos, along with some salsa and hot sauce. I like to use homemade hot sauce and fire-roasted salsa.

    Dig into these cheesy crab nachos right away, and then start planning your next nacho night!

    Want more Tex-Mex recipe ideas? Try making rockfish tacos, halibut tacos, potato tacos, pineapple shrimp tacos, Instant Pot refried beans and Instant Pot cilantro lime brown rice.

    Crab Nachos in a Pan and on a Plate
    Crab Nachos in a Pan
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Crab Nachos

    These easy crab nachos are made with tortilla chips, cheese, Dungeness (or canned) crab, and a quick garlic yogurt sauce. Perfect for a quick dinner or game day!
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time8 mins
    Total Time18 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 630kcal
    Freezer Friendly?

    No

    Will It Keep?

    No

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Nachos:

    • 8 ounces tortilla chips (Half of a 16oz bag)
    • 5 ounces queso fresco, crumbled ~Half a wheel
    • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces ~Half a ball
    • 1 avocado, diced
    • ⅛ cup pickled jalapeños
    • 6 ounces Dungeness crab legs (~3 crab legs), steamed and removed from shell Or swap canned crab
    • 2 tablespoons diced chives

    Garlic Sauce (Optional):

    • 1 cup plain yogurt
    • ½ lemon, juiced
    • 2 garlic cloves, diced
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

    Extra Toppings (Optional):

    • hot sauce
    • salsa

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400°F.
      Add chips to a large oven-safe pan or sheet pan.
      Top with the cheese.
      Add Cheese to Tortilla Chips
    • Add the avocado, jalapeños, crab and chives.
      Add Crab to Nachos
    • Slide the pan into the oven and cook nachos for about 8 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
      While the nachos cook, stir together all the garlic yogurt sauce ingredients.
      When the cheese is melted, remove nachos from the oven. Add the garlic sauce, salsa and hot sauce (if using), and serve immediately.
      Bake Until Cheese Melts

    Notes

    Serves 4 (small portions) or 2 (larger portions).
    Cook Time:  Keep in mind that the cook time DOES NOT include steaming or shelling the crab.  Crab can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of time and refrigerated.
    Crab is typically sold either pre-cooked or alive.  This recipe assumes that you are using pre-cooked crab legs.
    Need more help prepping the crab? Learn more here: How to Steam + Crack Crab Legs

    Nutrition

    Calories: 630kcal (32%) | Carbohydrates: 48g (16%) | Protein: 28g (56%) | Fat: 38g (58%) | Saturated Fat: 12g (75%) | Cholesterol: 80mg (27%) | Sodium: 1202mg (52%) | Potassium: 697mg (20%) | Fiber: 7g (29%) | Sugar: 5g (6%) | Vitamin A: 787IU (16%) | Vitamin C: 16mg (19%) | Calcium: 548mg (55%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
    « How to Steam + Crack Crab Legs
    Crab Omelette »

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    All commentsI made this
    1. Alisha

      February 05, 2021 at 8:08 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and yummy! This recipe sounded so good to me that I just had to try it. It was a quick supper to put together, and we also made some rice to turn it into a VERY filling dinner for three. Love that it uses both queso fresco and mozzarella. And the garlic yogurt sauce was delicious!

      Reply
      • Sarah Trenalone

        February 05, 2021 at 8:24 pm

        Yay!! So happy to hear that you loved it 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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