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Home » Recipe Index » Seafood

Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin

Published: Jun 10, 2018 · Modified: Dec 8, 2021 by Kris Longwell · This post may contain affiliate links

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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.

this is a baked jumbo crab au gratin in mini cast iron skillets

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.

Lump Crab Au Gratin recipe

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.

Lump Crab au gratin recipe

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.

Lump Crab au gratin recipe

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!

Lump Crab au gratin recipe

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!

Lump Crab au gratin recipe

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

this is a baked jumbo crab au gratin in mini cast iron skillets

Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin

This jumbo lump crab au gratin is decadent and incredibly delicious. Serve as a wonderful first coarse. The crab, of course, is the star here, but complimented beautifully with the Gruyere and seasonings.
4.84 from 30 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Seafood
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 243kcal
Author: Kris Longwell

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

Jumbo lump crab meat can be pricey.  For a more economical version, but still very delicious, we do a combination of jumbo lump and regular crab meat.
Be sure to use a good melting cheese such as fontina, gruyere, Monterrey jack, or even mozzarella. 
This au gratin is quite rich.  We serve it as an appetizer with lots of toasted baguette slices. 

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 879mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 645IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

 

rab

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Comments

  1. Leslie Maher says

    May 19, 2025 at 3:50 pm

    5 stars
    e loved this recipe and it was truly decadent with the Gruyere! You two nailed it as usual with your great recipes!
    I need your help however and ASAP

    Can I make this ahead of time ( like hours before) and just bake when ready? Will it compromise the integrity of the dish?
    I have guests and want to serve this but won’t have time to prepare it immediately before. Please HELP

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      May 21, 2025 at 11:48 am

      Hi Leslie! Yes! You can make up to 6 hours in advance. If chilled, you may need bake it a bit longer…just until golden and nice and bubbly. If browning too much, cover with foil! So glad you enjoyed the dish! Have fun and good luck with your gathering! Sounds awesome! Let us know how it all turns out! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  2. Chef Stev says

    February 14, 2024 at 9:57 pm

    5 stars
    Made this tonight for Valentine’s Day Dinner. Embellished a bit by doubling recipe, adding 12 oz of chopped langoustine tail, a pound of chopped shrimp, and a shake or two of Old Bay. It was amazing! Thanks for such a wonderfully rich, elegant recipe! Outstanding!!!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      February 18, 2024 at 3:02 pm

      Hey Chef Stev! Sorry for the delayed reply but we are so so happy you made the lump crab au gratin and made it your own! Your additions have us drooling!!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing and for the wonderful review! That honestly means so much to us! Please stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
    • Geri Reski says

      March 14, 2025 at 8:16 pm

      What did you serve with it?

      Reply
  3. Alan says

    December 18, 2023 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    I made it. Wonderful. Directions could be clearer though.

    Reply
  4. Kat Sampaga says

    December 02, 2023 at 8:54 pm

    Can you freeze Crab au Gratin and bake for a later day?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 04, 2023 at 12:01 pm

      Hi Kat! We know people have frozen this dish before, and, as far as we know, had success. You do run the risk when freezing cream or cheese that it will change somewhat in texture, and maybe even a bit in taste. You could certainly freeze the crab, and then thaw and assemble close to serving time. Hope this helps!! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  5. Sara says

    July 06, 2023 at 8:51 pm

    5 stars
    This was so incredibly tasty! We left out the hot sauce and just put a pinch of cayenne in since we can’t eat spicy food. Will make again!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      July 08, 2023 at 12:20 pm

      Hi Sara! Yay! We are so so happy you enjoyed the lump crab au gratin! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the GREAT review. That means the world to us! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  6. Dave says

    June 24, 2023 at 10:30 am

    5 stars
    This is my favorite recipe! I’ve made this twice before, & am making it again tonight. It freezes well, too. This is decadent, and pretty easy to make. Love love love it!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 24, 2023 at 12:52 pm

      Dave!!! That is so awesome! We LOVE that you are enjoying the crab au gratin dish! We agree…it’s pretty spectacular! Thank you, as always, for sharing and for the GREAT review! That honestly means so very much to us! Have a GREAT weekend! Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  7. Stephanie King says

    May 25, 2023 at 3:22 pm

    5 stars
    Hi guys! I made this last night and received rave reviews. It is a total hit and I highly recommend this recipe to anyone. We live in New Orleans and have had this dish in many different restaurants, but my wife declared this was one of the best crab au gratins she has ever had. I did omit most of the lemon juice because my wife isn’t a big fan, but thats one of the things that made this so awesome…the adaptability.
    Thanks for another amazing recipe. Love watching you two in the kitchen together. Keep the good food coming and keep on being fabulous!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 01, 2023 at 6:32 pm

      Hi Stephanie! We are sooooo thrilled you and your wife love the crab au gratin! And we appreciate so much you letting us know and for the wonderful review!! That always means the world to us! Please give our love to you beautiful wife! xoxo Kris & Wesley

      Reply
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