Our Crab Captain's Vinaigrette has become one of the most popular ways to enjoy crab from SeaBear Smokehouse's Crab Market. While butter is the traditional accoutrement of any crab species, we like to switch things up and enjoy our crab with a bright and tangy flavor that brings out the natural richness of the crab meat. Discover how SeaBear was introduced to this perfect pairing, with a message from the original author.

One of the very first years after my family and I moved to the Pacific Northwest, we were invited to a neighbor’s home for a casual dinner. The owner was a crab captain, who would go out every season to catch crab in the icy waters of Alaska. So, we were treated to a very special meal of Alaskan Red King Crab legs – our first-ever experience with this magnificent treasure of the sea. The experience was incredible, and something my family will never forget.

The extra special treat came when this Crab Captain served not just the expected melted butter, but also his very own special vinaigrette – perfect for dipping the rich, indulgent, slightly sweet crab meat into. He looked over to us and said, “This is how we eat crab on the boat.”

The story behind the recipe was enough to get me hooked, but I was completely sold the second I got to try it - and I know you will be too. This vinaigrette was fantastic. A light, bright flavor that makes the natural flavors of crab stand out beautifully. I loved that it didn’t overwhelm the crab either, a feeling I often get with butter - not to mention the calories. With just olive oil, rice wine vinegar, chopped garlic, and poppy seeds, I was roped into the Pacific Northwest and everything it had to offer.

I was honored that he was kind enough to share his recipe with me. Part of the rich heritage of SeaBear is our history not just as a business but as individuals. The connection between food and tradition is important in how we connect with others. Because of this, I wanted to share this special recipe with you. It’s part of the history of SeaBear, sure, but it’s also a part of my history with the Pacific Northwest. This is a recipe I know captures our philosophy of truly making food an experience.

You can purchase our Crab Captain's Vinaigrette right from our online store - and believe me, we make a delicious vinaigrette. But, I wanted to share this special recipe with all of you the same way it was shared with me. It’s easy to make and easier to enjoy with our Alaskan Golden King Crab Legs, Dungeness Crab Clusters, or Snow Crab Cocktail Claws. Explore testing it in new recipes or try it as a substitute in the various recipes featured in our Recipes & Tips section.

Mike Mondello

MAKE YOUR OWN VINAIGRETTE RECIPE

TRY THE VINAIGRETTE WITH THESE POPULAR RECIPES

Smoked Salmon Lettuce Wraps

Consider switching out the dressing in this delectable SeaBear recipe with the Crab Captain Vinaigrette. 

Northwest Smoked Salmon Caesar Salad

Forget Chicken Caesar - The Pacific Northwest does up this classic with salmon straight from Anacortes, Washington. 

Smoked Salmon Veggie Bowl

This recipe calls for a “Vinaigrette-style salad dressing”, so why not try the Crab Captain Vinaigrette?

We would love to see what kind of recipes you make or change up with the Crab Captain's Vinaigrette and your SeaBear Smokehouse favorites. Share your creations on social media and make sure to tag us, @seabearsmokehouse.