Easy Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight Recipe That Wows Guests

Jumbo lump crab cheese delight brings coastal elegance to your dining experience with surprising simplicity.

Seafood enthusiasts recognize this dish as a luxurious masterpiece that balances delicate textures and rich flavors.

Maritime ingredients combine in a symphony of delectable sensations that tantalize sophisticated palates.

Creamy cheese perfectly complements the sweet, tender morsels of premium crab meat.

Elegant yet uncomplicated, this recipe promises an impressive culinary journey that surprises and delights.

Imagine crafting a restaurant-quality appetizer that makes guests marvel at your kitchen skills.

The magic happens when quality ingredients meet thoughtful preparation, creating a memorable gastronomic moment.

You can want to savor every decadent bite of this incredible creation.

What Makes Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight So Special

• Jumbo lump crab meat provides large, delicate chunks that melt in your mouth, offering a premium seafood experience with minimal effort.
• This recipe transforms complex restaurant-style dishes into an easy 30-minute preparation, making sophisticated cooking accessible for home chefs of all skill levels.
• The combination of multiple cheeses, rich evaporated milk, and perfectly balanced spices creates a decadent sauce that elevates simple crab meat into an extraordinary culinary delight.
• Perfect for intimate dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or special weekend meals, this recipe impresses guests while being surprisingly simple to prepare and customize.

Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight Ingredient List

• Jumbo Lump Crab Meat: Delicate, premium seafood that forms the heart of the dish, best when fresh and carefully handled to maintain large, tender chunks.

• Onion, Celery, Green Onions, Garlic: Flavor-building base that adds depth and subtle sweetness to the sauce, white parts provide mild onion notes.

• Butter, Evaporated Milk, Egg Yolks, Milk, Cheeses: Creamy components that create a rich, smooth sauce and help bind the ingredients together, with cheeses providing a luxurious melted topping.

• Flour, Lemon Juice, Hot Sauce, Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper: Essential for creating a smooth roux, balancing flavors, and adding subtle heat and brightness to the overall dish.

Cooking Steps for Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F, getting ready for a delicious baking adventure.

Step 2: Sauté Veggie Blend

• Onion
• Celery
• White parts of green onions
• Garlic

Cook until vegetables turn soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare Creamy Mixture

• Egg yolks
• Evaporated milk

Blend until smooth and set aside.

Step 4: Create Silky Roux

Sprinkle flour into the skillet with sautéed vegetables. Stir gently to create a beautiful white roux. Make sure the flour doesn’t brown, which should take around 2 minutes.

Step 5: Build Luxurious Sauce

• Lemon juice
• Hot sauce
• Salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Black pepper

Stir for 4-5 minutes, then fold in half the cheeses until melted.

Step 6: Arrange Crab Masterpiece

• Four mini oven-proof casseroles
• Or an 8

Ensure crab lumps remain intact.

Step 7: Final Cheese Touch

Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the crab. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Bake for 15 minutes until bubbly. Switch to broil and cook for 5 more minutes until cheese turns golden brown.

Serve immediately and enjoy your delight!

Tips for Serving Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight Just Right

• Protect Crab Texture: Handle jumbo lump crab meat gently to maintain large, delicate chunks without breaking or shredding during preparation.
• Control Roux Precision: Watch flour carefully when creating white roux, stirring constantly to prevent browning and ensure smooth, creamy sauce consistency.
• Balance Cheese Melting: Add cheese gradually and stir slowly to achieve perfect, silky sauce without developing grainy or separated texture.
• Temperature Management: Use medium-high heat when sautéing vegetables and creating sauce to develop deep flavors without burning ingredients.
• Broiling Technique: Monitor cheese closely during final broiling stage to achieve golden-brown color without burning or overcooking delicate crab meat.

Storing and Reheating Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheating: Warm gently in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain the crab's delicate texture.
• Freezing: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers, freezing for no more than 1 month to preserve flavor and prevent texture breakdown of the delicate crab meat.

Perfect Pairings for Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight

• Savor Sparkling Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp, dry champagne or prosecco to complement the rich, creamy crab and cheese sauce, cutting through its decadence with refreshing bubbles.
• Match Zesty Side Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness, providing a tangy contrast that enhances the crab's delicate flavor.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Grab a warm, crusty sourdough or French baguette to soak up the luxurious cheese sauce, adding textural complexity and making every bite more satisfying.
• Recommend Chardonnay Companion: Select an unoaked or lightly oaked California Chardonnay that offers subtle buttery notes without overwhelming the delicate crab meat, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Twist Your Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight with These Ideas

• Seafood Medley Magic: Replace jumbo lump crab with a mix of shrimp, scallops, and crab meat for a rich, oceanic flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Splash: Add diced jalapeños, replace hot sauce with chipotle pepper, and use pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Incorporate fresh chopped basil, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes, then swap evaporated milk with Greek yogurt for a tangy Mediterranean approach.
• Low-Carb Comfort: Substitute flour with almond flour or cornstarch, and serve over roasted cauliflower instead of traditional baking method for a lighter version.

FAQs About Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight

• Can I use canned crab meat instead of fresh jumbo lump crab?

Fresh jumbo lump crab is best for texture, but canned crab can work in a pinch. Just drain it well and be extra gentle when mixing to keep the meat intact.

• How do I prevent the sauce from becoming lumpy?

Whisk constantly when adding milk to the roux and keep heat at medium. Stir slowly and steadily to create a smooth, creamy sauce without any flour clumps.

• What if I don't have evaporated milk?

You can substitute with heavy cream or half-and-half. Full milk works too, but might make the sauce slightly thinner. Whole milk gives the best alternative results.

• How can I tell when the dish is perfectly cooked?

Look for a bubbly cheese sauce and light golden-brown cheese top. The 15-minute bake followed by 5-minute broil should create a perfect golden crust. The sauce should be hot and cheese melted completely.

Jumbo Lump Crab Cheese Delight Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sinful craving meets culinary magic with this jumbo lump crab cheese delight recipe, blending coastal freshness and creamy indulgence. Rich Maryland-style flavors and luxurious ingredients promise a memorable dining experience that satisfies seafood enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound lump crab meat, picked over for shells and cartilage

Cheese and Dairy:

• ½ cup Gruyere cheese, grated
• ½ cup Fontina cheese, grated
• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick or 113 grams)
• 1 12 ounces (340 grams) can evaporated milk
• 2 large egg yolks, slightly beaten

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 celery rib, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced (reserve some for garnish)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking this delectable seafood dish.
2. Select a large skillet and melt butter over medium-high heat, creating a golden base for sautéing aromatics.
3. Introduce finely chopped onion, celery, white green onion sections, and minced garlic to the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their fragrant essence for approximately 5 minutes.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks and evaporated milk until thoroughly combined, creating a smooth binding liquid.
5. Sprinkle flour into the vegetable mixture, carefully incorporating it to form a delicate white roux without allowing any browning, which should take roughly 2 minutes.
6. Gradually stream the milk mixture into the skillet, whisking continuously to ensure a silky, lump-free sauce.
7. Enhance the sauce with lemon juice, hot sauce, salt, cayenne, and black pepper, stirring consistently for 4-5 minutes to develop complex flavors.
8. Fold half of the cheese blend into the sauce, allowing it to melt and create a rich, creamy texture.
9. Delicately distribute jumbo lump crab meat into individual oven-proof casseroles or a single 8″x8″ baking dish, preserving the meat’s pristine texture.
10. Generously cascade the prepared cheese sauce over the crab meat, ensuring complete coverage.
11. Sprinkle the remaining cheese across the top, creating an enticing golden crown.
12. Bake for 15 minutes until the dish becomes effervescent and inviting.
13. Finish with a quick broil for 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to transform into a beautiful, bronzed crust.

Notes

• Delicate jumbo lump crab requires gentle handling to preserve its exquisite texture and prevent breaking during preparation.
• Roux-making technique is crucial for creating a smooth, velvety cheese sauce without lumps or scorching.
• Layering cheese in two stages ensures maximum flavor development and creates a beautifully golden, crispy top layer.
• Hot sauce and cayenne provide subtle heat that complements the sweet crab meat without overpowering its delicate flavor.
• Choose fresh, high-quality lump crab meat for the most authentic and luxurious seafood experience.
• Individual serving dishes enhance presentation and allow for perfectly portioned, elegant appetizers or main courses.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 740 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg