Shrimp Crab Melts – Creamy, Cheesy, Golden-Baked Seafood Perfection

If you love warm, melty, cheesy comfort food with big seafood flavor, Shrimp Crab Melts are about to become one of your new favorites. These open-faced melts combine succulent shrimp, sweet lump crab meat, and a creamy, zesty filling piled high on toasted bread and finished with bubbling melted cheese. They’re rich, satisfying, and perfect for lunch, dinner, appetizers, or even a cozy weekend brunch.

Shrimp crab melts are the kind of dish that feels a little nostalgic — like something you’d order at a seaside café or an old-school diner near the coast. They have that warm, comforting feel with a touch of elegance thanks to the seafood. The combination of crab’s mild sweetness and shrimp’s tender bite is beautifully complemented by creamy mayonnaise, lemon, mild green onion, garlic, and just a hint of spice. Then everything is finished off with gooey, golden cheese on top.

They’re incredibly easy to make, requiring only a quick chop, mix, toast, and bake. The result is a toasted, bubbly, savory melt that’s impossible to stop eating. Serve them with a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, fries, or a cup of soup, and you have a perfect meal that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

Let’s make the best shrimp crab melts you’ve ever tasted — buttery, cheesy, seafood-loaded, and unforgettable.

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Ingredients:

Seafood Mixture:

• 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
• 1 cup lump crab meat
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ cup green onions, sliced
• ½ cup shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Melts:

• 4 slices of hearty bread (sourdough, French, or Texas toast)
• ½–1 cup shredded cheese for topping (cheddar, Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella)
• Fresh parsley and lemon wedges for serving

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Instructions:

1. Prep the Seafood
   Chop cooked shrimp into small bite-sized pieces. Gently check crab meat for shells.
2. Make the Filling
   In a bowl, mix shrimp, crab, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire, Dijon mustard, garlic, green onions, salt, pepper, and ½ cup shredded cheese. Combine gently so the crab stays chunky.
3. Toast the Bread
   Lightly toast the bread slices in a toaster or under the broiler for 2–3 minutes. This helps prevent sogginess.
4. Top with Seafood Mixture
   Spoon the shrimp-crab mixture generously over each slice of toasted bread.
5. Add the Cheese
   Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of each melt.
6. Broil Until Golden
   Place melts on a baking sheet and broil 3–5 minutes, until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
7. Serve Immediately
   Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

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Tips & Tricks

• Use good quality crab meat: Lump crab gives the best texture.
• Toast before broiling: Prevents soggy bread.
• Add hot sauce for kick: A dash of Tabasco or Old Bay is excellent.
• Use Swiss for classic diner-style melts: It melts beautifully.
• Chill the mixture: Makes it easier to spoon onto the bread.

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Variations

• Old Bay Seafood Melts: Add ½–1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning.
• Spicy Shrimp Crab Melts: Mix in diced jalapeño or chili flakes.
• Cream Cheese Version: Add 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese.
• Garlic Bread Melts: Spread garlic butter on bread before toasting.
• Mini Party Melts: Use baguette slices for bite-size appetizers.

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Serving Suggestions

• With side salad or coleslaw
• Paired with tomato basil soup or seafood chowder
• Served with fries, sweet potato wedges, or roasted vegetables
• With lemon-herb rice or pasta salad
• As open-faced brunch melts with fresh fruit

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Storage Information

• Refrigerator (filling only): 2 days
• Do not freeze: Mayo + seafood doesn’t freeze well
• Reheat: Broil 1–2 minutes to re-melt cheese

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FAQ

Can I use canned crab?
Yes — choose lump or claw and drain well.

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Absolutely — thaw, drain, and pat dry before chopping.

Can I make the mixture ahead of time?
Yes — mix and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance.

What cheese melts best?
Swiss, provolone, mozzarella, and cheddar all work beautifully.

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History / Fun Facts

Seafood melts grew popular in coastal regions of the U.S. during the mid-20th century as seaside diners started offering simple, comforting seafood dishes. Shrimp crab melts soon became favorites because they combined two popular seafoods with familiar American comfort food: toasted bread and melted cheese. Today, you’ll find variations in beach cafés, seafood shacks, and restaurants from Maine to the Pacific Northwest.