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dungeness crab cocktail

🦀 Dungeness Crab Cocktail Recipe Card

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb cooked Dungeness crab meat freshly picked, shell-free
  • 1 cup cocktail sauce store-bought or homemade — see note
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp prepared horseradish optional, for extra heat
  • 1 ripe avocado diced
  • ½ small red onion finely diced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro chopped
  • Lemon wedges for garnish
  • Lettuce leaves for serving (optional)

Method
 

Prepare Sauce:
  1. In a bowl, stir together cocktail sauce, lemon juice, and horseradish if using. Adjust to taste.
Assemble Crab Mix:
  1. In another bowl, gently toss Dungeness crab meat with diced avocado, red onion, and parsley. Be careful not to break up crab too much.
Layer Cocktail:
  1. In small cocktail glasses or bowls, place a few lettuce leaves at the base (optional). Add a spoonful of cocktail sauce, then a layer of crab mixture, repeating if desired.
Finish & Serve:
  1. Top with an extra drizzle of cocktail sauce and garnish with lemon wedges and extra parsley. Serve chilled.

Notes

If buying whole Dungeness crabs, cook and clean them ahead, then chill the meat.
Homemade cocktail sauce: mix 1 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp prepared horseradish, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of hot sauce.
Serve with buttery crackers or crostini for a classic touch.
For an elevated version, add a splash of champagne vinegar to the sauce for brightness.