Skip to main content
Epicurious
Bon Appétit

Potted Crab with Meyer Lemon

By Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer

4.0

(6)

Image may contain Cutlery Spoon Food and Bread
Potted Crab with Meyer LemonJason Lowe

Use good butter, fresh crabmeat, and Meyer lemons and this simple spread will really sing. Can't find Meyer lemons? Substitute 2 tablespoons juice and 1-2 teaspoon zest from a regular lemon instead.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 1 3/4 cups

Ingredients

1-2 Meyer lemons (2 teaspoons finely grated zest, 3 tablespoons juice, plus thin slices for garnish)
2 tablespoons Sherry
1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter (preferably Kerrygold Pure Irish), room temperature
1 teaspoon harissa paste or 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces lump crabmeat, picked over for shells
Buttered toast points

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring juice and Sherry to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a mini-processor; let cool. Add butter, lemon zest, and harissa; purée until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Gently fold crabmeat into butter (keep crab pieces intact). Pack crab butter into a crock, smoothing top with a butter knife. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.

    Step 2

    Garnish with lemon slices, if desired. Let stand until room temperature, about 1 hour, and serve with buttered toast points.

TagsSpreadsMeyer LemonLemonCitrusFruitCrabShellfishSeafoodStarterSnackDinnerNut FreeQuickEasyMake AheadFood ProcessorBon Appétit

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Essential Easter Recipes for Brunch, Dinner, and Dessert
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
Apple-Walnut Charoset
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
31 Easter Desserts, Each One Better Than a Chocolate Egg
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in March
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
31 Spring Cocktails for Warmer Days Ahead
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Our Favorite French Onion Soup
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.