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Creamy Cheddar Crab Melt Sandwich

A quick and cozy seafood sandwich that's rich, tangy, and cheesy, perfect for busy weeknights.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Course: Main Course, Sandwich
Cuisine: American
Calories: 540
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crab Filling
  • 2 cups lump crab meat (fresh or good-quality canned, drained and checked for shells)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup mayo (or Greek yogurt for a tangy swap)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided Use half for the filling and half for topping.
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (plus lemon wedges to serve)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions (scallions)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or seafood seasoning)
  • to taste Salt and pepper
Sandwich Assembly
  • 8 slices sturdy sandwich bread or brioche (butter the outsides for toasting)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for grilling)
  • Optional thinly sliced tomato, baby arugula, or dill pickles for topping Optional toppings to enhance the sandwich.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Gently pick through the crab meat to remove any stray shells and pick out large lumps for nice texture. Place the crab in a medium bowl.
  2. Add softened cream cheese, mayo, Dijon, lemon juice, Worcestershire, Old Bay, green onions, half of the cheddar, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the crab. Fold together gently.
Assembly and Grilling
  1. Spread butter on one side of each bread slice.
  2. Flip the bread so the unbuttered sides face up. Divide the crab mixture evenly across four slices. Top with a sprinkle of the remaining cheddar. Add optional toppings if using, then cap with the other bread slice (buttered side out).
  3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches butter-side down, pressing gently with a spatula. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the cheese melts.
  4. Let the sandwiches rest, then slice in half and serve with lemon wedges and pickles on the side.
Oven Option
  1. Optionally, arrange sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil for 2–4 minutes per side, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Notes

Use lump crab meat for the best texture. Don't over-mix the crab filling to keep it chunky. This sandwich is forgiving and can be adjusted based on available ingredients and time.