This Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin recipe is incredible. Rich and a bit decadent…and all about the crab.
Pick yourself up some good quality lump crab meat (Gulf crab is amazing and so are Maryland blue crabs) at your local fish market and get ready to impress.
HOW TO MAKE JUMBO LUMP CRAB AU GRATIN
Making this dish is easy and fun! Watch us show you how to make one of the fanciest (but easiest) appetizers of all time!
We love Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin!
OTHER AMAZING CRAB DISHES
- Crab Beignets
- Southern Crab Cakes
- Sautéed Soft-Shell Crabs
- Crab Rangoon
- Crab and Spinach Dumplings
- Lump Crab and Tomato Salad
The ingredients in this amazing au gratin really help to elevate the star of the dish, which of course is the crab.
Every time we serve this dish to guests, it gets nothing but rave reviews. It’s really, really good.
HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT TYPE OF CRAB MEAT FOR CRAB AU GRATIN
EXPERT TIP: Lump crab meat is a bit pricey, so I usually go with a mix of lump crab and regular crab meat.
But, always go with quality.
Be sure to pick the crab over to remove any excess cartilage. I usually do this twice, just to make sure.
This sauce is rich and creamy, and the perfect compliment to the fresh crab.
Just place the crab in the bottom of the pan, and then pour that amazing sauce right on top.
Oh, yes…here we go.
Top it off with a combination of your favorite types of creamy, melting cheese.
USE A GOOD MELTING CHEESE, SUCH AS FONTINA, FOR CRAB AU GRATIN
Our favorite is a blend of Gruyere and Fontina. But, Monterey Jack, or Emmentaler, or even mozzarella will work. To learn all about the amazing History of Cheese, read this awesome article from the National Historic Cheesemaking Center.
And we love to serve these in individual cast iron skillets. But you can also use 1 large skillet when serving a group. It’s is beautiful in presentation, too!
Make this dish and be prepared for lots of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahh’s’. It’s not for the faint of heart, and one serving is a wonderful appetizer, probably for 2 – 4 people.
But, boy oh boy, is it good.. Crab lovers rejoice!
What’s not to love with jumbo lump crab meat, Gruyere cheese and a little Cayenne for good measure?
Sinfully good!
Another one of our most favorite crab dishes is our incredible Southern Crab Cakes. It’s one of our most popular dishes on the site!
Now, it’s time to make this amazing Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin recipe! And don’t forget to take a picture, post it to Instagram and tag @howtofeedaloon and #howtofeedaloon
Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 celery rib finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon green onions sliced, save some for garnish
- 1 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large egg yolks slightly beaten
- 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup Gruyere cheese grated
- ½ cup Fontina cheese grated
- 1 lb lump crab meat picked over for shells and cartilage
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, celery, green onions (white parts), and garlic, and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- While the vegetables cook, vigorously whisk the egg yolks and evaporated milk together in a small bowl until well blended; set aside.
- Add the flour to the skillet, and blend well into the vegetables to create a white roux; be sure to not let the flour brown. About 2 minutes.
- Using a whisk, add the milk mixture, stirring constantly to blend into the roux mixture.
- Stir in the lemon juice, hot sauce, salt, cayenne, and black pepper, and continue to stir for another 4 - 5 minutes. (if sauce seems too thick, add a little water or milk to thin...should be the consistency of thick creamed soup).
- Remove from the heat, and fold in half the cheese; blend until it is totally melted and fully incorporated.
- Gently divide the crab meat among four mini oven-proof casseroles, or iron serving dishes; trying not to break up the crab lumps. Or, pour into 1 large cast iron skillet, or 8"x8" baking dish.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the crab, and then sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese on top.
- Bake until bubbly, about 15 minutes, then reset the oven for broil, and broil until the cheese begins to brown, about 5 minutes (keep an eye on this...don't let it burn!!).
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with the green onions (green parts), and serve at once!
Notes
Nutrition
rab
Michelle says
I made this last night and it was phenomenal. I made the recipe exactly as it was. It was by far the best recipe for crab gratin I have ever made. It was perfectly balanced. It was not really heavy like I have found some recipes for this to be. Just the right amount of cheese!. Absolutely delicious.
LEONARD DILL says
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO MY FIRST CRAB AU GRATIN FOR A BUNCH OF FRIENDS,
HOWEVER, I’M VERY OLD AND LIKE TO SPREAD OUT THE WORK======
CAN I GO THROUGH 1-8 ON A SATURDAY AND DO REMAINDER ON PARTY DAY, SUNDAY?
Linda Berglund says
It seems like you could do #1-8 and then bring it to almost room temperature before finishing…ya know?
Patti Betz says
You guys are killing me! (Not to mention my diet.) We’re heading to the gulf in August. I’m going to bring this recipe and pick up some crab at Joe Patti’s in Pensacola. It will be perfect for a night of entertaining our local friends.
krislongwell says
Go for it, Patti! No worries about your diet when you’re in the gulf! Too much yumminess to enjoy! Let us know how it turns out!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Crab Dynasty says
Definatelly a comfort food. I love this on melba toast, and also excellent on thinly-sliced french bread (toasted). You gotta have fresh lump crab meat for this one. Don’t forget the Old Bay!
krislongwell says
Sounds good to us, and we love everything about Crab Dynasty!! Kris & Wesley
Linda Berglund says
Two questions regarding this recipe…I am reading the recipe as 1/4 cup each of the two cheeses, however, in the remarks you say 8 oz. or 1 cup. Plus, are you serving it in the picture on melba toasts? (It looks so tasty!). Third question – says flour is TBL cupThank you, lidnab
krislongwell says
Hi Linda! We’ve played around with this recipe, and we think 1 cup may be a little overwhelming. So, we cut the 2 cheese totals to 1/4 cup each. Which is what you’ll see in the updated recipe. If you prefer it extra cheesy, then you can go up to 1/2 cup each, and it will still be good…just super cheesy! But, hey! What’s wrong with that. That’s interesting about the flour quantity…it should definitely be 2 tablespoons. There had been an unfortunate type that showed ‘cup’…but that was fixed. Where are you seeing that? And we served them with baguette slices that we simply buttered and toasted. So good! Let us know if you have any other questions, or if you decide to make it and how it turns out!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Linda Berglund says
It is on my weekend make this list! (May not be THIS weekend, or may be make this weekend and see if I share this, list. but thanks for the baguette.)
krislongwell says
Sounds great! Let us know once you make it how it turns out and what you think!! We really hope you love it as much as we do! 🙂
Linda Berglund says
Two questions regarding this recipe…I am reading the recipe as 1/4 cup each of the two cheeses, however, in the remarks you say 8 oz. or 1 cup. Plus, are you serving it in the picture on melba toasts? (It looks so tasty!). Thank you, lidnab
Tracee says
Clarification on the flour. It says 2 tbs cup. It has to be tbs…right?
krislongwell says
Hi Tracee! Yes, 2 tablespoons!! Recipe has been updated. Thank you!! xoxo
Tracee says
I knew better…I make gumbo all the time and know the ratios. I’m making tomorrow for family who (for some incredibly insane reason) love imitation crab!!?? Ugh!! What that anyway??? I’m using some lightly smoked Gouda that I smoked this afternoon. I haven’t decided on the second cheese yet.
krislongwell says
You will knock it out of the park. Let us know how it all turns out. xo
Ally-O says
Me again! I’m reading through the comments…. what are the correct measurements for the cheeses? The recipe reads: 1/4 cup each of Gruyere and Fontina. But then you said it should be 1 cup, 8 ounces of the cheese? Help!
Thanks!!!!
Ally-O
Basking Ridge, NJ
krislongwell says
Hey!! We recently updated this recipe (we’re constantly re-visiting ole recipes, and often tweak from their original recipe). It really depends on how cheesy you like the dish. I would say anywhere from 1/4 cup to a 1/2 cup each of the Gruyere and Fontina. A total of a cup in the entire dish I think is the right amount, but you could pull back (which is what the recipe had shown). I’ve updated the recipe to be 1/2 cup of Gruyere and Fontina. Sorry for all the confusion in this one!! But, it’s really, really good!! Thanks for the heads up, too!! xo
Ally-O says
Thanks guys!!!!
Ally-O says
RE: Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin – what size mini cast iron skillets do you use? I only seem to be finding 3 1/2 ” mini cast iron skillets, that’s too small, right?
Thanks for your help!
Ally-O 🙂
krislongwell says
Hi Ally-O!! We have numerous single-serve cast iron skillets that we love to use. We used our circular 5 1/2′-inch skillets for this particular recipe/photo shoot. The great thing about this recipe, though, is that you can really use any size. You can find larger (but still mini) on Amazon by click here: But, if you go with the smaller, which actually be would better for individual servings, you’ll still bake at the same time and temp, just keep an eye on them so they don’t get too brown on top.
Really hope this helps, and let us know if you have any other questions or observations!!
Best,
Kris & Wesley
Joe Murray says
Divine and easy and you are right it’s all about the quality,thank you for ushering this recipe.
Have to keep an eye on your site for more goodies
krislongwell says
Thanks, Joe! Keep your eyes peeled, lots of good stuff here already and lots more new recipes on the way! Stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesley
Linda says
Question: recipe calls for 2 cups (8 oz) of Gruyere cheese … but isn’t 2 cups actually 16 oz??? What am I missing?
krislongwell says
Oh my gosh, Linda! Thank you so much! We have since hired a recipe proofer to check all recipes, and somehow this slipped through. It should be 1 cup (8 oz.). Thank you again and I hope this didn’t mess things up for you! Let us know how it turns out if you make it. It is really delicious! Rich, but so good. 🙂
Linda says
I plan on making this for dinner tonight, so I’m so glad you responded so quickly. I probably would have used the 2 cups, one in the mixture and one on top!! Nothing like a little crabmeat with your cheese!!! LOL
krislongwell says
I know!! I so completely agree! If you love cheese, like we do, then I’d keep some extra on hand to sprinkle extra on top. I’d go with a cup in the mixture, and then sprinkle (probably another 1/4 cup, to 1/2 cup), over the tops. Sorry for the confusion!! But if you like crab and cheese, you’re going to love this!! Let us know how it turns out and have a wonderful evening!!
John says
I wanted to make something special for our anniversary but we din’t have Gruyere or condensed milk so I was going to sear some scallops but Regina thought this sounded good (she loves crab) so she basically put it together and it did not disappoint! A mixture of cheddar and Monterrey jack and some half & half and we were there! Very tasty with a couple extra trays for tomorrow! Might be extra tasty with a splash of sherry but versatile no doubt! Thanks for sharing!
krislongwell says
That sounds wonderful, John! And Happy Anniversary! Kuddos to Regina for making those awesome tweaks! Best to you both, and thanks so much for letting us know. Please stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesley
Martha Hayden says
I stubbled upon your website when I googled “crab meat au gratin”. I made this tonight and it was yummy. I live out in the country so gruyere was no available. I substituted and Italian blend and Havarti. I love gruyere but I think the subtle flavors of the cheese worked well. I also substituted no salt Tony Chachere’s for the cayenne pepper. Everyone in Louisiana is addicted to Tonys.
krislongwell says
Hi Martha! That sounds fantastic! This dish is pretty versatile. Thank you so much for letting us know!! Best, Kris & Wesley!
Keri says
Do you have to bake it in mini dishes? How can I adjust the baking time if I wanted to use one square pan?
krislongwell says
Hi Keri,
You won’t need to increase the time much…increase the bake time by 15 minutes, and you’ll be good. Let us know how it turns out!! Thanks, Kris & Wesley
Lee Ann says
I made this for dinner tonight. We really enjoyed it. Its not hard to make and I will be making it again.
krislongwell says
That’s great to hear, Lee Ann! I’m so glad you like it and will be making again. Keep coming back for more!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
This crab gratin looks so incredibly delicious. All that melted Gruyere is seriously making my mouth water here!
krislongwell says
Hi Thalia! It is really good. I love Gruyere so much, too. It is decadent…but something special!