Chicken Free Crab Cocktail Bites with Avocado & Herb Sauce
These elegant little bites are everything you want in a party appetizer — fresh, bright, and genuinely impressive without requiring hours in the kitchen. Lump crab meat is tossed with olive oil, lemon, chives, parsley, and a hint of ground ginger, then chilled so the flavors meld into something really special. The creamy avocado herb sauce — blended smooth with cilantro, garlic, and lemon — acts as a lush base that holds everything together on crisp cucumber rounds. Every single ingredient here is naturally free from poultry, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out; it just works as written. The whole assembly is light and refreshing, making it a perfect starter for warm-weather gatherings or any occasion where you want something that looks like it came from a catering spread. Serve them immediately after assembling so the cucumber stays crisp and the crab salad stays cold — that contrast in temperature and texture is what makes each bite so satisfying.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the crab salad
- 8 oz lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For the avocado herb sauce
- 1 large ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 2–3 tbsp cold water
For assembly
- 1 large english cucumber (about 12 inches), sliced into ¼-inch rounds
For serving
- fresh chives or micro herbs, for garnish (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a mixing bowl, combine the crab meat, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, lemon zest, chives, parsley, ground ginger, and 1/4 tsp salt. Fold gently until just combined, keeping the crab in large pieces. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to let the flavors come together.
- 2
While the crab chills, make the avocado herb sauce: add the avocado, cilantro, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, garlic, and 1/4 tsp salt to a small food processor or blender. Blend until smooth, adding cold water 1 tbsp at a time until the sauce is pourable but still thick enough to hold a small mound — about the consistency of a loose hummus.
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