Creamy Crab Grilled Cheese

If you’ve ever sat at a beachside café, salty breeze in your hair, and bit into a warm, cheesy crab sandwich… you know that’s a moment worth recreating. I was at a friend’s beach house recently, and they took us to a little waterfront bar that served the most amazing crab grilled cheese. One bite and I knew I had to come home and recreate it for The Recipe Bowl. This Creamy Crab Grilled Cheese has all the best parts of a crab cake — sweet lump crab meat, Old Bay seasoning, a little celery crunch — plus melty cheese and buttery toasted bread.

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And instead of cracker crumbs, we’re folding in cream cheese for a rich, spreadable filling that’s ridic-ulously good and holds together perfectly when grilled.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make – No frying crab cakes, just mix, spread, and grill.
• Restaurant-style flavor – Sweet crab, seasoned just right, and plenty of gooey cheese.
• Customizable – Use one of my signature cheese pairings to make it your own.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Crab Filling

• 1 lb lump crab meat (picked over for shells)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning (or to taste)
• 1/4 cup finely diced celery
• 2 green onions, finely sliced
• Optional: 1 tsp lemon zest for brightness

For the Sandwiches

• 8 slices sturdy bakery bread (like sourdough or brioche)
• 4 Tbsp butter, softened
• 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 slices creamy Havarti cheese
• Optional garnish: fresh parsley or chives for serving

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Cheese Pairing Options

1. Classic Coastal Melt (Mild & Crowd-Pleasing)

• Sharp Cheddar + Havarti

2. Decadent Shoreline Special (Rich & Fancy)

• Gruyère + Brie

3. Spicy Dockside Kick (Bold & Zesty)

• Pepper Jack + Smoked Gouda

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Step-by-Step Instructions For The Best Creamy Crab Grilled Cheese

1. Make the Crab Filling
   In a large mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.
   Add the egg, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay, celery, green onions, and lemon zest if using. Stir until combined.
   Gently fold in the crab meat, being careful not to break up the lumps too much.
2. Assemble the Sandwiches
   Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Place four slices, buttered side down, on a cutting board.
   Add a slice of cheddar cheese, then spread about 1/2 cup of the crab filling evenly over the cheese.
   Top with a slice of Havarti, then place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up.
3. Grill
   Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
   Grill sandwiches for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
   If needed, cover the skillet for a minute to help the cheese melt without over-browning the bread.
4. Serve
   Slice in half, sprinkle with parsley or chives if desired, and serve hot.

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Cheese Tips for the Perfect Melt

• Yes, Havarti comes in slices! You can grab pre-sliced packs or ask the deli to slice it to your preferred thickness.
• Layer for gooeyness – Two thin slices melt better than one thick slice, so stack them up.
• Block cheese = best melt – Slicing it yourself from a block gives you fresher flavor and smoother melting.
• Mix and match – Combining two cheeses gives you flavor plus meltability (cheddar for sharpness, Havarti for creaminess).

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Nettie’s Serving Ideas for Creamy Crab Grilled Cheese

• Pair with a cup of tomato bisque for dipping.
• Add a simple lemon-dill salad on the side to balance the richness.
• Turn them into sliders for a party — same filling, smaller bread.

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Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Make Ahead – Prepare the crab filling up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate.
• Leftovers – Wrap cooled sandwiches in foil and reheat in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes.
• Freezing – You can freeze just the crab filling (not assembled sandwiches) for up to 2 months.

Try these reader favorites:

Easy Crab Muffin Appetizers

Seafood Salad Recipe

Easy Bean Salad

Pumpkin Pie Tarts

Easy Grilled Corn Salad Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use fresh crab meat?

Fresh crab has the best flavor, but canned or imitation crab can be used for convenience. Just drain well before mixing.

What’s the best cheese for crab grilled cheese?

Havarti is creamy and mild, but Gouda, provolone, or sharp cheddar also work beautifully. Choose your favorite melt!

Do I need an egg in the crab filling?

No, the egg isn’t necessary since the filling only needs to be heated. The cheese and creaminess hold it together just fine.