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Creamy Crab Grilled Cheese

Nettie
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 version has all the best parts of a crab cake — sweet lump crab meat, Old Bay seasoning, and a little celery crunch — layered with melty cheese on buttery toasted bread. Instead of cracker crumbs, the filling uses cream cheese for a rich, spreadable texture that holds together perfectly when grilled.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American, coastal
Servings 4 sandwiches
Calories 959 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Crab Filling

  • 1 lb lump crab meat picked over for shells
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning or to taste
  • 1/4 cup celery finely diced
  • 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 provolone cheese
  • 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional garnish: fresh parsley or chives for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.
  • Add the 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.
  • Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Place four slices, buttered side down, on a cutting board.
  • Add a slice of provolone cheese, then spread about 1/2 cup of the crab filling evenly over the cheese.
  • Top with a slice of sharp cheddar, then place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up.
  • 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.
  • Slice in half, sprinkle with parsley or chives if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

When it comes to the nutrition information provided for recipes, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s just an estimate. The actual nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Be mindful that any nutritional information provided is intended as a general guideline rather than exact values.

Chef’s Choice Cheese Combo

  • Provolone + Sharp Cheddar → Provolone melts smooth and creamy, while sharp cheddar adds tangy flavor to balance the richness of the crab.

Cheese Pairing Options (Other Variations)

Classic Coastal Melt
  • Sharp Cheddar + Havarti
Decadent Shoreline Special
  • Gruyère + Brie
Spicy Dockside Kick
  • Pepper Jack + Smoked Gouda

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwichCalories: 959kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 48gFat: 54gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 2404mgPotassium: 527mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1323IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 508mgIron: 6mg
Keyword crab and cheese sandwich, crab grilled cheese, crab melt, creamy crab grilled cheese, seafood grilled cheese
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