What To Make With Leftover Crawfish – 30 Simple Recipes

Crawfish leftovers may be used in a number of cuisines, including gumbo, jambalaya, and Cajun cuisine. It may also be used to prepare a crawfish boil for your next celebration.

It’s the end of a hard day, and you’ve arrived home late from work. You decide to unwind with a nice drink and some food. You begin your search for the ideal entree.

And you realize youve got leftover crawfish.

You may be thinking that crawfish is a little too hot to consume as leftovers.

However, if you take the time to properly boil it, you can utilize the leftover crawfish in a variety of ways.

We’ve compiled a selection of inventive leftover crawfish recipes.

Also see: 15 Tasty Crawfish Sauces I Can’t Get Enough Of

So what are you waiting for?

Take the risk and try one of these delicious leftover crawfish dishes. You will not be sorry!

30 Easy Leftover Crawfish Recipes

If you have leftover crawfish, you should start with the basic meal, gumbo. This soup may be made as spicy or mild as you wish. It’s an excellent way to flavor leftover fish.

1. Leftover Crawfish Gumbo

This was my first gumbo experience, and I was instantly hooked! It’s one of those recipes where the tastes are so rich and nuanced that it’s ideal for entertaining.

Also read: What Vegetables Go in Gumbo? The Top 18 Vegetables

This is also one of the most forgiving dinners since you may vary the quantity of protein and veggies you use. Keep in mind that if you don’t have all of the veggies, your gumbo will be too thin.

2. Leftover Crawfish Boil

This is a quick and simple way to use up leftover crawfish. I like it with rice and avocado, but you can use whatever kind of grain you choose. In fact, I like to add leftover rice to my boiling crawfish to make it more substantial, although bread or pasta, potatoes, or even macaroni may be used instead.

3. Leftover Crawfish Etouffee

This is a Louisiana-specific dish, but the idea is fantastic! I prefer this one since it’s fast and simple to make while yet retaining all of the flavors of an etouffee. You may speed up the process even further by utilizing store-bought stock instead of producing your own.

4. leftover crawfish boil with potatoes recipe

This is the simplest of the recipes, but it’s also one of the most delicious! If you don’t have any leftover crawfish, make an additional pot of this and freeze half of it for later in the week. It’s so adaptable that you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll eat it all.

5. Louisiana Crawfish Pasta

If you have leftover shrimp and crab (or crawfish) and want to eat them right now, there are a few simple ways. If you like Louisiana Crawfish Pasta, you may use any leftover combination. Crawfish spaghetti is one of the most delectable meals I’ve ever tasted. It’s light, tasty, and just the proper amount of spicy.

6. Crawfish Mac and Cheese

This is my favorite crawfish mac and cheese recipe! The creamy cheesy sauce, crisp croutons, and crawfish taste complement each other well. The secret to this meal is to add the hot crawfish to the cheese sauce towards the end, since they will rapidly cook off if added with the pasta.

7. Leftover Crawfish, Corn & Potato Soup

Because it is so simple and fast, this is one of the most flexible dishes you can have in your repertoire.

Also see: What Goes With Potato Soup? 30 Delicious Side Dishes

Simply boil your leftover crawfish, prepare your potatoes, and toss in your corn. That’s all! You could easily make this meal vegetarian by substituting green beans for the crawfish.

8. Crawfish Cakes

This may be added to tacos, burritos, or just mixed into scrambled eggs. It makes an excellent fast appetizer or side dish.

9. Crawfish Bisque

Another advantage of leftover crawfish is that it may be utilized in a variety of ways other than soups! This is another traditional dish, but it’s the type of classic recipe that can be adapted in an unlimited number of ways. This dish is one of my favorites since it combines two of my favorite things: bisque and crawfish! The mix of the creamy soup and the spicy crawfish is ideal.

10. Crawfish Boil Casserole

I cooked this dish for the first time the day after I went crawfishing on Lake Pontchartrain. My buddy and I were so fatigued from the day’s activities that we decided to eat something simple for dinner. I inquired if he had any crawfish left while he was cooking the shrimp and I was creating a simple salad.

He had two ears of corn on the cob and a couple crawfish tails. So I took them and mixed them with a can of drained white beans, a can of coconut milk, a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, and parmesan cheese. It was delectable! Not only that, but the crawfish boil dish I cooked the following day was even better!

11. Crawfish Boil Chowder

I actually have a post coming up on this dish (it will be published by Monday!) However, this is the basic version. It’s a terrific alternative for when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen preparing homemade chowder but don’t want to settle for store-bought either.

Also see: How to Serve Clam Chowder. 25 Delicious Side Dishes

And if you have more veggies than you need to create the soup and some leftover meat, you’re going to enjoy this one!

12. Cajun-Style Crawfish Stew

This dish is ideal for individuals who dislike the Cajun taste of crawfish boil casseroles. This version is spicy and somewhat sweet, and it is prepared using chicken broth rather than water. It has many of the same characteristics as a crawfish boil dish, but with much less spiciness.

13. Crawfish Soup

Crawfish soup is one of my favorite dinners, and I know I’m not alone. It’s a simple recipe, but it takes some time. Begin by gathering all of your items and frying the crawfish tails and shrimp.

Then, after the shrimp and crawfish are done, combine them in the saucepan with the liquid ingredients and boil for around 10 minutes. You may prepare some roux while it is cooking.

A roux is just a cooked flour and butter combination that may be used to thicken any form of stew or soup. A roux may be made by hand or with the use of a food processor. Either approach works perfectly, but if you don’t want to go to the trouble of preparing the roux, simply use 2 tablespoons of butter instead.

14. Fried Crawfish Tails

I’ve prepared fried shrimp, fried catfish, and even fried squirrel. Crawfish tails are an exception to this rule. They’re not nearly as delicate as most other fried meals, plus they’re delicious.

See Also: 22 Sauces for Catfish We Cant Resist

The breading technique is essential to this dish. Begin by thoroughly coating your crawfish tails in a combination of cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then, in a frying pan with vegetable oil, stir them.

4 deep, so take your time and keep a watch on it so that it doesn’t bubble over.You can use an oven-safe skillet instead of a deep fryer if you don’t have one, but I believe they’re simpler to manage in the frying pan. The oil should be approximately 1

15. Leftover Crawfish Boil with Grits

The nicest thing about crawfish boils is how much everyone usually ends up with. As a result, I usually have a few dishes left over. This is my personal fave. I like grits in this, but I’ve also used polenta, cornmeal, and even French bread. Simply top it with leftover potatoes, corn, and other vegetables and whatever sort of bread you like.

16. Air Fryer Crawfish Cakes

Crawfish cakes are one of those dishes that come together quickly and are ideal for unexpected visitors or when you need something quick. You may simply alter the taste of the cake by adding your favorite spice or a different kind of seafood, such as shrimp or scallops (See Also: 20 Best Sauces for Scallops)! If you don’t have an air fryer, just use your oven!

17. Crawfish Bread

Crawfish bread is one of my favorite uses for leftover crawfish. I like how the buttery crust contrasts with the lightness of the filling. It’s also fairly adaptable, so you can use any bread you have on hand. If you’re pressed for time, bake it as is and serve it warm.

Otherwise, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the bread for approximately 10 minutes before adding the filling.

18. Crawfish Pie

Crawfish pie is a traditional Louisiana meal that may be created with almost any ingredients you have on hand. This is the one for you if you need something fast yet nonetheless exceptional.

19. Crawfish Roll

I like to include a couple of these rolls in a packed lunch since they are quick to eat and take up little room in your lunchbox. Just don’t fill them too much or you won’t be able to savor all of the taste!

20. Crawfish Boil Frittata

If your crawfish boil was insufficient, this is a great way to use up the leftovers. It just takes around 15 minutes to prepare and can easily serve a large group. What’s the greatest part? This is the most convenient method to use up leftover vegetables or cheese.

21. Crawfish Fettuccine

This may seem a bit dated, but crawfish fettuccine is one of my top favorite dinners, so it was an easy choice to include on this list. Crawfish tails are used in my recipe since they are simpler to locate, but shrimp and lobster would also work.

I also like to add a little tomato paste to mine since it adds the right tiny acidity that crawfish is famous for!

22. Crawfish Omelette Egg Cups

I like the ease of egg cups, and these are a fantastic way to use up leftover crawfish. You just need a teaspoon of sauce to top them, and theyre really simple to cook and carry, making them an excellent choice for parties or get-togethers.

23. Leftover Crawfish Boil Salad

When it comes to leftover crawfish, I often use it in salads. I like the notion of keeping this meal light and fresh, so I use it as a salad topper rather than as a major element. To serve over the top, I normally start with cooked or poached eggs.

24. Crawfish Cornbread Muffins

Crawfish cornbread muffins are an excellent use for leftover crawfish. If you’re craving something sweet and moist, these muffins are the way to go. They’re tasty on their own, but they’re even better with a dollop of your favorite ice cream.

25. Seafood Potato Salad

I’ll tell you right now that this is one of my favorite quick lunches. It’s easy, fast, and tasty. The potato salad is delicious on its own, but the cajun spices make it an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats.

26. Crawfish Gravy

This is my favorite gravy. When cooked with leftover crawfish, the flavors really explode, and it works with any kind of meat. I like it with chicken, but turkey, pig, and even beef are all excellent choices.

27. Crawfish Jambalaya

Jambalaya is one of my favorite dishes. It’s a flavorful one-pot supper that can be prepared in under an hour! This dish is ideal for a quiet Saturday night, but it can be served any night of the week. It goes well with rice, spaghetti, or in a sandwich. In any case, it’s quick and filling.

28. Creole Crawfish Nachos

The crawfish nachos are more complicated than the jambalaya, but they are still a distinctive dish. It’s similar to a seafood pizza. The recipe would be best served on a chip and dip type board, but it may also be served as a side dish.

29. Original Crawfish or Shrimp Monica

Make this creamy original crawfish or shrimp Monica as a very delectable dinner party appetizer. Because the shrimp are large and already shelled, this meal comes together quickly. If you don’t have crawfish or shrimp on available, use a medium-sized fish such as cod, haddock, or halibut.

30. Authentic Louisiana Crawfish Pie

This is a no-brainer if you like crawfish. There are never enough Crawfish Pie recipes. The first thing that springs to mind when you think of crawfish pie is those massive steaming pies with their big crust and delectable cheesy filling. While it is one of my favorite ways to consume crawfish, I also like it in the form of a handmade pie.

FAQ

How long can you eat leftover crawfish?

Crawfish is very perishable and should be eaten as soon as possible after cooking. Leftovers may be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for up to two months.

How do you cook already cooked crawfish?

Crawfish may be boiled or steamed. Crawfish is a simple dish to make. Simply throw the crawfish in a saucepan with enough water to cover them and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook for around 10 minutes. After that, drain the crawfish and serve it right away.

To steam the crawfish, put them in a steamer basket, cover the top of the basket with a lid, and lay the basket over boiling water. It will take around 15 to 20 minutes to steam the crawfish. Once the crawfish has finished steaming, drain and serve immediately.

Can you freeze leftover crawfish?

If you’re producing a lot of crawfish, you can freeze them. Picking through and discarding the heads and shells is the best method to freeze crawfish. The crawfish should then be placed in freezer bags and frozen for up to 2 months.

Place frozen crawfish in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. After that, take the crawfish out of the bags and drain them in a colander.

Conclusion

So, what can you do with leftover crawfish?

If you have leftover crawfish, consider cooking a crawfish boil. It may be served as an appetizer or as a side dish at your next gathering. The nice thing about crawfish is that they can be prepared in a variety of ways. They may go on top of a salad, in a soup, or as a main entrée.