What Cheese Goes Best with Crab? The Ultimate Guide

Crab is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in many recipes. However, pairing crab with the right cheese takes the flavor to the next level. I tested over 14 types of cheeses with crab to find the absolute best pairings. In this ultimate guide, I’ll share my cheese and crab pairing recommendations along with tips to create crave-worthy crab recipes.

Why Crab and Cheese Are an Amazing Combination

Crab has a naturally sweet and briny flavor. When paired with the right cheese, the contrast of flavors is incredible. Here’s why crab and cheese pair so perfectly:

• Cheese adds a salty, savory contrast to sweet crab meat This balanced flavor profile is very interesting.

• The creamy smooth texture of soft melted cheeses pairs divinely with the flaky texture of crab.

• Cheese provides richness that complements the relatively lean crab meat. The indulgence factor increases

• Crab and cheese work well in so many dishes from appetizers to main courses. The versatility is endless.

The 14 Best Cheeses to Pair with Crab Meat

Through extensive testing, I narrowed down the cheeses that complement crab meat best. Here are my top 14 recommendations with tasting notes:

1. Blue Cheese

• Strong, funky, salty, tangy, peppery

• Bold blue cheese stands up to crab’s sweetness. The pungent flavor and crumbly texture provide fantastic contrast.

2. Aged Cheddar

• Sharp, tangy, nutty

• Aged cheddars have a sharpness that pairs well with briny crab. The nuttiness complements the sweetness.

3. Gruyère

• Nutty, sweet, rich

• Gruyère’s fruity, caramel notes match crab’s sweetness perfectly. Melts beautifully in creamy crab dishes.

4. Parmesan

• Salty, nutty, umami

• Parmesan’s savory saltiness draws out crab’s brininess. As a hard grating cheese, it adds nice texture.

5. Monterey Jack

• Mild, buttery, slightly tangy

• Monterey Jack has enough flavor to complement crab without overpowering it. Its creaminess pairs nicely.

6. Havarti

• Mild, buttery, tangy

• Havarti has a simple flavor that lets crab shine as the star. It melts beautifully and adds creaminess.

7. Gouda

• Sweet, nutty, creamy, slightly salty

• Gouda’s subtle sweetness matches crab’s natural sweetness. Its semi-soft texture also melts nicely.

8. Brie

• Soft, rich, earthy

• Brie’s signature gooey richness paired with crab is divine. It softens crab’s brininess.

9. Camembert

• Creamy, rich, sweet, earthy

• With a softer rind than brie, camembert is even creamier. It melts indulgently over crab.

10. Taleggio

• Meaty, tangy, fruity, nutty

• Tallegio’s bold flavor stands up to crab. Its meaty savoriness contrasts sweet crab.

11. Fontina

• Nutty, mild, creamy

• Fontina melts into a luxuriously creamy sauce for crab. It has balanced flavor.

12. Pecorino Romano

• Salty, sharp, robust

• Pecorino Romano’s salty tang cuts through crab’s richness. Adds texture contrast as a grating cheese.

13. Feta

• Salty, tangy, crumbly

• Feta’s brininess enhances crab’s seafood essence. Crumbles pair nicely with crab’s texture.

14. Goat Cheese

• Tangy, earthy, creamy

• Goat cheese’s distinctive tang brilliantly pairs with sweet crab. Adds luxurious creaminess.

Tips for Creating the Perfect Crab and Cheese Pairings

Follow these tips to take your crab and cheese combinations to the next level:

• Match cheese intensity to preparation. Use mild cheeses with delicate crab dishes. Bold cheeses with robust cooked crab.

• Creamy soft cheeses like brie complement crab’s texture wonderfully.

• Grating cheeses like Parmesan add salty sharpness and texture contrast.

• Don’t be afraid to add cheese to hot crab dishes. Many cheeses melt beautifully.

• Consider cheeses with fruity notes like Gruyère to match crab’s sweetness.

• Tangy cheeses like feta help cut through crab’s richness.

• For ultimate indulgence, combine multiple cheeses like Gruyère and Parmesan.

5 Popular Recipes Using Crab and Cheese

Here are some of the most popular and delicious ways to use crab and cheese together:

1. Baked Crab and Cheese Dip

This hot appetizer dip combines lump crab with melted cheeses like cheddar, jack, and Gruyère. Served with crackers or vegetables.

2. Crab Mac and Cheese

Crab elevates classic mac and cheese to luxury status. Sharp cheddars or Gruyère pair nicely.

3. Crab Quesadillas

Sweet crab and melted Monterey Jack cheese between tortillas makes a tasty, quick filling.

4. Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Mushroom caps baked with a luscious crab and cheese stuffing are party perfect.

5. Crab and Cheese Soufflé

Light and airy crab soufflés are impressive. Fold in brie, Gruyère or cheddar.

For crab mac and cheese, a blend of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses is a great combination. Cheddar provides a classic, sharp flavor, Gruyère adds a nutty and slightly sweet note, and Parmesan brings a salty, umami depth.