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    Home » Breakfast

    Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict

    Published: Aug 30, 2017 · Modified: Nov 21, 2023 · 10 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Save Recipe Saved!

    This Dungeness crab eggs Benedict is made with crab legs, poached eggs, and a creamy yogurt sauce, and is perfect for brunch!

    Pouring Yogurt Sauce onto Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict

    Who loves crab!?

    I do, I do! 

    Who wishes they could eat crab all the time?

    Me, me, meeee! 

    If you, like me, find yourself with a craving for these crustaceous (and creepy-looking!) sea-creatures, you aren't alone!

    After you decide that you MUST EAT CRAB, and proceed to douse piece after piece in decadent, rich butter, you may decide that you... still want more crab!!!

    In fact, I'm nearly positive that's what will happen.

    Somewhere in the back of your brain, though, you may start to wonder if there's a healthier way to eat crab.

    A Dungeness crab recipe that's crab-tastic and crab-licious, but also that's butter-free!

    Warning-- I make no promises to stop the corny crab jokes.

    Healthy(ish) crab recipes definitely exist! I love crab fries, crab nachos, crab omelettes, grilled King crab salad, King crab Louie salad, and of course, this crab eggs benedict.

    This Dungeness crab eggs Benedict is light and flavorful, and oh so delicious. Even without butter sauce.

    Dungeness Crab Legs

    What Does Dungeness Crab Look Like?

    A Dungeness crab is the crab that you probably see in your mind when you think of "a crab."

    In other words, it looks like the little crab emoji on your cell phone.

    Preparing Dungeness Crab Legs for Eggs Benedict

    Frozen crab legs come precooked.  That means that you simply need to heat them up, not cook them all the way through.

    For this recipe, we're steaming the crab legs.  You'll need a large lidded pot and a metal vegetable steamer basket.  

    Steam the Crab Legs
    Steam the Crab Legs

    Bring about a half-inch of water to a boil in the bottom of the pot, set the steamer basket inside the pot, add your crab legs, and cover the pot.

    Steam them for 5 minutes for thawed the legs or 10 minutes for frozen legs.

    Then, plunge them into a bowl of cold water to stop them from overcooking.  Next, you're ready to crack open the shells.

    How to Crack Crab Legs

    There are lots of different techniques for cracking open crab legs.

    You can use a seafood cracker, a nutcracker, the back of a wooden spoon, or even the palm of your hand to crush the shells.

    I prefer to cut through the shells with kitchen shears.

    Cut Shell with Kitchen Shears
    Cut Shell with Kitchen Shears

    Whatever your preferred technique, you'll want to crack open the shells and remove the meat.

    If you need more help prepping the crab, check out this tutorial on how to steam and crack crab legs.

    Once you've removed the crab meat, make sure to save the shells to make homemade seafood stock.

    Can I Use Canned Crab Instead?

    You can, just note that it likely won't be Dungeness.

    It'll still be delicious though.

    How to Make Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict

    Once you've prepared the crab (which can be done ahead of time), do few final steps.

    I make the sauce, toast bread, and slice the avocado while making perfectly poached eggs.

    Finally, assemble your Dungeness crab eggs Benedict, serve them with the yogurt sauce, and dig in to your crab-tastic breakfast!

    What If I Want a Traditional Hollandaise Instead of Yogurt?

    Were you hoping to see a traditional, buttery Hollandaise sauce?  If so, I admire your buttery-optimism.  

    Simply swap out my yogurt sauce for Hollandaise.  This easy hollandaise from Pinch Me I'm Eating is a little "lemon-forward," and should work well with the crab.

    Healthy Crab Eggs Benedict with Yogurt Sauce on Top
    This Healthy Crab Eggs Benedict is made with Dungeness crab legs, a poached egg, and a creamy yogurt sauce, and is a lighter take on the breakfast classic!
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 5 votes

    Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict

    This Dungeness crab eggs Benedict is made with crab legs, poached eggs, and a creamy yogurt sauce, and is perfect for brunch!
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 351kcal
    Freezer Friendly?
    No
    Will It Keep?
    No
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Crab Eggs Benedict:

    • 6 ounces Dungeness crab legs (~3 crab legs)
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 English muffin, toasted
    • ½ avocado, thinly sliced
    • 1 green onion, diced (for garnish, optional)

    Creamy Yogurt Sauce:

    • ½ cup plain yogurt
    • 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 2 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
    • pinch salt, to taste

    Instructions

    Steaming the Crab Legs:

    • In a large pot, bring ½" water to a boil.  
      Set a metal vegetable steamer inside the pot.  Add crab legs (they should not be touching the water), and cover pot.  
      Steam 4-6 minutes for thawed legs, or 10-12 minutes for frozen legs.
      After crab legs are done steaming, set them in a bowl of icy water to stop them from cooking further.
      Steam the Crab Legs

    Removing Crab Meat:

    • Use a crab cracker to remove crab meat from shells, or use a chef’s knife and kitchen shears.  (Check the Recipe Notes for a tutorial link.)

    Poaching the Eggs:

    • Bring about 3" water to boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to a simmer.
    • Set a mesh sieve in sink or over a bowl, and crack 1 egg into sieve. Allow egg to drain for a few seconds, and then carefully pour egg into the water. Repeat for each egg. Simmer eggs 3-5 minutes, depending on desired doneness. Remove eggs from water with a slotted spoon. Set eggs on a paper towel to get rid of excess water.

    Making the Creamy Yogurt Sauce:

    • Add all ingredients for the sauce into a bowl and mix.  Salt to taste.

    Assembling the Crab Eggs Benedict:

    • Assemble your Eggs Benedict by layering one slice of the English muffin, half the avocado, half the crab meat, and then repeat with the rest of the bread, avocado, and crab meat.
    • Add a small spoonful of the yogurt sauce on top of the crab meat to help hold it together.  Top each stack with a poached egg, and more sauce on top.  
    • Garnish with green onion if desired. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Crab is typically sold either pre-cooked or alive.  This recipe assumes that you are using pre-cooked King crab legs.
    Need more help prepping the crab? Learn more here: How to Steam + Crack Crab Legs
    Prepare Crab Ahead of Time: Crab can be steamed and removed from shells ahead of time.  Store in the fridge and use meat within 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 351kcal (18%) | Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) | Protein: 30g (60%) | Fat: 14g (22%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) | Cholesterol: 236mg (79%) | Sodium: 717mg (31%) | Potassium: 457mg (13%) | Fiber: 4g (17%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 430IU (9%) | Vitamin C: 13.7mg (17%) | Calcium: 188mg (19%) | Iron: 1.9mg (11%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

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    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.

    5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Comments

    1. Elaine @ Dishes Delish says

      September 05, 2017 at 4:33 pm

      5 stars
      I can't tell you how much I love this recipe. I love crab and can't wait to try it. Your eggs look absolutely perfect!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        September 06, 2017 at 10:34 am

        Aw thank you! And try the mesh sieve technique for your eggs- they look perfect every time!!!

        Reply
    2. peter @Feed Your Soul Too says

      September 06, 2017 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      Totally love the look of this dish. Adding the mustard to the yogurt makes for a tangy sauce that works with both the crab and the eggs. YUM!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        September 07, 2017 at 8:44 pm

        Thanks Peter! I love that mustard sauce- I use it all the time! YUM!

        Reply
    3. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says

      September 07, 2017 at 1:43 pm

      Yummy yummy! Not having crab often enough, now I am craving it badly, especially in a wonderful eggs benny like that! Have to tell Loreto, my husband, he is the "eggs benedict guy"!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        September 07, 2017 at 8:43 pm

        Thanks!!! I don't get to eat it as often as I like either- it's such a delicious treat though!

        Reply
    4. Meg | Meg is Well says

      September 08, 2017 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      Your poached eggs do look pretty darn perfect. I want to make these the next time I go crabbing!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        September 11, 2017 at 7:25 pm

        Yessss do it!

        Reply
    5. Amanda says

      September 09, 2017 at 11:56 am

      5 stars
      The first time I had Crab Eggs Benedict was at a brunch in college, and I fell in love. Those were no where near as gorgeous as yours are, though! What a stunningly impressive addition to a breakfast or brunch table. I love that you've made a healthier alternative to hollandaise, too! It must be perfect with the crab and poached eggs. I am so hungry for these right now!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        September 11, 2017 at 7:26 pm

        Thanks Amanda! It's a lot prettier with crab legs than it is with lump crabmeat from a can, that's for sure! Enjoy!!

        Reply
    bio

    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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