The concept for this recipe came from a family friend who used to make an appetizer with store-bought crab cakes that she crumbled and stuffed into mushroom caps.
Key Ingredients:
We find that it’s just as easy (and more economical) to mix up a simple homemade crabmeat stuffing instead. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cooked, pasteurized crabmeat (see below for shopping tips)
- Mild shredded cheese (Muenster or Monterey Jack)
- Panko crumbs
- Egg
- Lemon juice
- Fresh thyme
- Onion
- Garlic
Serving Suggestions:
Our crab-stuffed portobello mushrooms can be served either as a first course or as a light dinner with a salad on the side. A light, food-friendly white wine like dry Riesling or Viognier is a nice pairing with this dish.
As written, this recipe serves two as a main course or four as an appetizer.
Shopping for Crab:
When buying the crab for this recipe, we recommend using the canned, pasteurized version found in the refrigerator case of your supermarket. Most stores carry three or four varieties, any of which will work for the crab stuffing for these mushrooms. Here’s a rundown of the different types going from most to least expensive.
- Jumbo lump: Jumbo lump crabmeat comes from the rear section of the crab that’s attached to the legs it uses for swimming. The pieces are large, delicately flavored and carry the highest price tag of the four varieties mentioned here. For a recipe like this one, where you mix the crab with other ingredients, jumbo lump is not worth the extra cost.
- Lump: Lump crabmeat comes from the central part of the crab that’s attached to the claws. It has the same delicate flavor as jumbo lump, but the pieces are smaller. It’s a good choice for both this recipe and our Linguine with Crab.
- Backfin: Backfin is crabmeat from the body of the crab. The flavor is a bit stronger than lump, and the pieces are generally small. Backfin is a good choice for these crab-stuffed portobellos, as well as crab cakes and crab dips.
- Claw: Crabmeat from the claws is darker in color, slightly oily, and has a stronger flavor than the previously mentioned varieties. Use claw meat for recipes like soups, stews, and bisques, where a bold crab flavor is desirable.
More crab recipes:
Crab-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 4 portobello mushroom caps
- 8 oz pasteurized crab meat, lump or backfin
- 1/2 cup panko crumbs
- 2 tablespoons sweet onion, minced
- 1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- Juice of 1/2 lemon, about 1-1/2 tablespoons
- 2/3 cup mild shredded cheese, divided (see recommendations below)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and coat a shallow baking pan with nonstick spray.
- Remove the stems from the portobello caps, dice them and add to a mixing bowl.
- Using a spoon, scrape the gills from the mushrooms, then brush the caps clean and arrange them on the prepared baking pan.
- Season each mushroom cap with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Add the crab, panko, onions, garlic, thyme and lemon juice to the chopped mushroom stems.
- Reserve 2 tablespoons of the shredded cheese and add the remainder to the crab mixture.
- Combine gently and season to taste with salt and pepper before stirring in the beaten egg.
- Divide the stuffing between the mushrooms and compress gently to form a slight mound.
- Bake until the crab mixture is set and light golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top each mushroom with a portion of the remaining cheese and bake for an additional 2 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with lemon wedges and a dash of hot sauce if desired.
Linda Brown says
Can I make this recipe a day ahead and without baking refrigerate overnight to cook the next day. ?
Lynne Webb says
Hi Linda,
In the past, I’ve cleaned the mushrooms and prepared the crab mixture, refrigerated them separately overnight, then stuffed them right before baking. However, I think you could stuff them ahead of time just as easily and they would be just fine. The only added advice I have for either method is that you might need a couple of extra minutes in the oven because the ingredients are more thoroughly chilled.
linda callahan says
I have a similar recipe from my mom it was around 1960. Mom used a beaten egg white and a small amount of cream cheese, everything else in your recipe is the same. Absolutely delicious. I have a ❓. Mom also made an appetizer she called ” clam puffs”! Sooo good. She made a mousse-like consistency with beaten egg whites and chopped clams, I think scallions and fresh parm. On a crostini toasted until barely browned. Have you ever seen a recipe like that? If so I would like to hear from you soon. Thank you, looking forward to more dishes.
Lynne Webb says
Hi Linda,
Thanks for sharing your version of the crab-stuffed portobellos. The beaten egg whites are a nice touch. They’d lighten up the filling a little more. And of course, you can never go wrong with cream cheese.
I did a little research and found a recipe for a clam appetizer that sounds like what you’re looking for. Since I don’t know the source and can’t provide a link or proper credit to the author, I won’t publish it here. I can share it with you directly though, so please check the email address you used to leave a comment.