This authentic jaiba recipe combines fresh crab meat with onion, celery, and serrano peppers and then topped on crispy tostadas. It's the best way to enjoy fresh crab meat because it's ready in just a few minutes. Plus, there are lots of ways to fill it up with different ingredients to make it as mild or flavorful as you wish.
If you've never had jaiba and are a huge seafood lover, this dish is a must-have for you!
This simple-to-make but flavorful dish of jaiba is a common staple found in the seafood restaurants of my hometown Tampico, in the state of Tamaulipas.
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Tamaulipas is located in the northeast part of the country, just south of the Texan border. Although the oil industry is a major part of the economy in Tampico, commercial and recreational fishing is an important part of the lives of its inhabitants.
People born in Tampico are informally known as “Jaibas” (Crabs), and the crab is used as an emblem all around town!
Tampico’s ideal location on the Gulf of Mexico, along the Panuco River and surrounded by lagoons, makes it an important player in the country’s fishing production, as well as in the international fishing tournaments. Shrimp, crayfish, oysters, and blue crabs are the common catches in the state of Tamaulipas; although, freshwater fish and tilapia are also abundant throughout the state.
How Crab Is Prepared in Tampico, Mexico
Crabs are prepared by the locals in:
- Soups
- Salads
- Cocktails
- Ceviche
- Salpicón
- Steamed
- And, stuffed!
Stuffed crabs are sold frozen at the local airport for tourists leaving town so that they can take a little piece of the local gastronomy back home with them.
If you aren't able to buy some of these local stuffed crabs, no worries!
For today's post, I am sharing TWO crab recipes: a simple one that lets you enjoy the full flavors of the crab meat, and another that’s a little bit more complex with tomatoes, olives, and capers, but is still a mouthwatering experience.
As with most recipes, every home cook can add their personal touch; some will add extra herbs like bay leaf, oregano, or parsley, and others will spice it up by adding some dried pepper.
I hope you enjoy cooking any of these versions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crab Tostadas
Before I share my jaiba recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked about homemade salpicon.
Where can I buy fresh crabmeat?
If you don't live near a fresh seafood shop, you can usually find lots of it either frozen or fresh at your local grocery store. Check near the seafood section. It is usually in small plastic containers. You can also find it at Costco. It's even better f you are able to buy some from a local fisherman shop that has caught it fresh! I've also found it at the Asian supermarkets too.
Even though fresh crabmeat will always taste better, you can buy frozen and just let it thaw before using it.
Should I use raw or cooked crab?
I use cooked crab meat for these recipes. I recommend trying to add the crab meat at the end of the cooking time so that it doesn't make the crab tough and hard to chew. If you check the recipe it indicates 5 minutes, just enough time to warm the crab and allow the flavors to blend.
Can I use this recipe to make jaiba nachos?
Yes, this is the perfect recipe to use as a base for nachos! Fill up a plate with tortilla chips, place the jaiba on top, and drizzle it with your favorite queso and toppings. My Mexican nacho recipe is a fantastic place to start.
What can I use instead of serrano peppers?
If you can't find any serrano peppers, you can substitute them with either habanero or jalapeno peppers.
Salpicón De Jaiba Mexicana
These crab recipes are deliciously salty and work perfectly as an appetizer for your dinner party or as a snack.
Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make this dish. I split it up for each of the two recipes that I shared in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Simple Salpicon
- Onion
- Celery
- Crab Meat
- Serrano Pepper
- Cilantro
- Salt and Pepper
- Tostadas
Complex Salpicon
- Onion
- Garlic
- Celery
- Tomato
- Serrano Pepper
- Crab Meat
- Stuffed Olives
- Capers
- Tostadas
Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!
How To Make Jaiba- Two Ways: Step By Step Tutorials
I created two different recipes for you to try with crab. One is really simple and only has a few ingredients. The other one is just as easy to make, but the only difference is that it has quite a few more ingredients in it.
Here's how to make them:
For Simple Salpicon
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet and add onion and celery.
- Sauté until slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
- Add the crab meat and serrano pepper.
- Stir and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Turn the heat off; add the cilantro, stir, and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve and enjoy!
For Salpicon with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet.
- Add onion, garlic, and celery, and sauté until slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chopped tomato and serrano pepper, stir, and cook for another 8 – 10 minutes. Let the tomato reduce its juices.
- Add crab meat, stuffed olives, and capers.
- Mix well and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Turn the heat off; add the cilantro, and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve and enjoy!
And, there you have it- two delicious and easy-to-make jaiba salpicon recipes!
What To Serve With These Jaiba Recipes
These recipes for freshly made salipcon de jaiba taste amazing when paired with something crunchy like tostadas or homemade tortilla chips. Sometimes, I'll chop up some vegetables like bell peppers and celery and use them to scoop up the crab mixture if I am not in the mood for chips.
You can also serve them with your favorite Mexican side dishes! These are a few of my favorite recipes that will taste delicious with this crab recipe:
More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy
If you enjoyed this jaiba recipe, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:
- Crispy Cod Fish Tacos
- Mexican Chipotle Tuna Tostadas
- Tiritas de Pescado (Zihuatanejo Style)
- Tuna Empanadas
- Ceviche Verde
I hope you make this tasty Mexican salpicon de jaiba! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!
¡Buen provecho!
Mely,
📖 Recipe
Crab Salpicon
Ingredients
FOR SALPICON (SIMPLE)
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- ½ cup celery finely diced
- ¾ cup white onion finely diced
- 1 lb. crab meat
- 1 serrano pepper finely diced
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Warm corn tortillas tostadas, or tortilla chips for serving
SALPICON WITH TOMATOS, OLIVES, AND CAPERS
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- ½ cup celery finely diced
- ¾ cup white onion finely diced
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 serrano pepper finely diced
- 2 cups tomatoes diced finely
- 1 lb. crab meat
- ⅓ cup pimento stuffed olives sliced
- 2 teaspoons capers rinsed and pat dried
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Warm corn tortillas tostadas or tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
FOR SALPICON
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet; add onion and celery, and sauté until slightly golden, about 5 minutes. See picture above.
- Add the crab meat and serrano pepper. Stir and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Turn the heat off; add the cilantro, stir, and season with salt and pepper
- Serve over corn tostadas or with tortilla chips.
SALPICON WITH TOMATOS, OLIVES, AND CAPERS
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add onion, garlic, and celery, and sauté until slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chopped tomato and serrano pepper, stir, and cook for another 8 – 10 minutes. Let the tomato reduce its juices.
- Add crab meat, stuffed olives, and capers. Mix well and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Turn the heat off; add the cilantro, and season with salt and pepper
- Serve over corn tostadas or with tortilla chips.
Rebecca Subbiah
wow lovely recipe really like crab
Eloschu
Se me antoja mucho hacer esta receta..... donde consigues la jaiba?
Mely
En Costco, o en el supermercado Giant.
Eloísa Schutte
Muchas gracias Mely, lo buscaré!! Se me antoja también hacer esta receta con marlín...
Mely
Me encantan las tostadas de Marlin, pero no se consigue en est ciudad. El salpicon de Marlin es delicioso.
Saludos!
Rick
Should I use raw or cooked crab? I made it with cooked canned crab, and the long cooking time (after adding the crab) resulted in some burned bits on the bottom of the pan. And, constant stirring to prevent that broke the crab up.
mmartinez
Hello Rick,
I use cooked crab meat. Try adding the crab meat at the end of the cooking time, if you check the recipe it indicates 5 minutes, just enough time to warm the crab and allow the flavors to blend. Happy cooking!