Crab Fondue: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Recipe

Crab fondue is a decadent, creamy, and delicious dish that is perfect for entertaining or as a meal. It is surprisingly simple to make and can be ready in just 30 minutes. The key ingredients are crabmeat, cream cheese, and wine, but you can also add in some spices and other cheeses to elevate the flavour. This fondue is best served hot with bread cubes, breadsticks, or crackers for dipping.

Fondue base: cream cheese, mayo, sugar, garlic powder, Old Bay, lemon zest, mustard

To make the fondue base for an easy crab fondue, you'll need a combination of cream cheese, mayonnaise, sugar, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, lemon zest, and mustard. Here's a detailed breakdown of the process:

Start by gathering your ingredients. For the fondue base, you'll need 18 ounces of cream cheese, 1 teaspoon of mustard (either yellow or Dijon), 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar (or 1 tablespoon of cornstarch if you prefer no sugar), 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 2 teaspoons (or more to taste) of Old Bay seasoning. You'll also need a teaspoon of lemon zest, which adds a bright, citrusy note to the fondue.

Once you have all your ingredients measured out, it's time to start preparing the fondue base. Place your cream cheese, mayonnaise, powdered sugar, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, lemon zest, and mustard in a double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler, don't worry—you can easily create a makeshift one by filling a saucepan a third of the way with water and bringing it to a boil. Simply place a metal bowl over the saucepan, and you'll have your double boiler alternative.

Slowly heat the mixture in the double boiler (or your makeshift setup) until the cream cheese is completely melted. Make sure to stir the mixture occasionally to ensure even melting and incorporation of all the ingredients. Take your time with this step, as you don't want the mixture to burn or scorch.

Once your fondue base is smooth and well-combined, you can proceed to the next steps of the crab fondue recipe, which typically involve adding crab meat, seasonings, and serving suggestions like bread cubes for dipping.

Feel free to adjust the measurements of the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. For example, if you prefer a stronger garlic flavour, you can add more garlic powder, or if you want a more pronounced lemon flavour, you can increase the amount of lemon zest.

Stir in wine, lemon juice, crab, onion greens

Now it's time to stir in the wine, lemon juice, crab, and onion greens. This is an important step as it will add a tangy, zesty kick to your fondue and bring the dish to life.

First, add the wine and lemon juice to your melted cheese mixture. Stir slowly and adjust the quantities to your taste and desired consistency. You can add more wine to make the fondue thinner, or more lemon juice for a sharper flavour. Keep stirring until both ingredients are fully incorporated and you have a smooth, creamy mixture.

Next, it's time to add the crab. Slowly stir in the crab meat, taking care not to break up the lumps. You want to heat the crab through without overcooking it, so make sure you stir gently and only leave it on the heat for a short time. Finally, add the onion greens. This will add a fresh, savoury note to your fondue and a pop of colour. Again, stir gently to avoid bruising the delicate greens.

At this point, you should have a delicious, creamy crab fondue with a good balance of flavours. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding more lemon juice or mustard to taste, or a little cayenne pepper for an extra kick.

Transfer to a fondue pot

Once you've made your crab fondue, it's important to keep it warm and melted so that it's nice and dip-able. If you don't have a fondue pot, a chafing dish or slow cooker will do the trick.

If you're using an electric fondue pot, make sure it's on a low heat setting. You want the fondue to be bubbling gently, not boiling. If you're using a candle, alcohol burner, or Sterno, place your fondue pot on top and wait for it to warm up. You can also use an electric burner or a hot plate. Just make sure the fondue is heated evenly and not too hot.

When transferring your fondue to the fondue pot, use a ladle or a heat-safe spatula to avoid splashing. If your fondue has been sitting for a while and needs to be reheated, give it a good stir to make sure all the ingredients are distributed evenly and nothing is sticking to the bottom.

If your fondue starts to get too thick, you can stir in a small amount of dry white wine, milk, or cream to thin it out. Keep an eye on the consistency and add liquid as needed.

Serve with bread cubes, crackers, raw zucchini, red pepper or pea pods

Crab fondue is a decadent and indulgent dish, perfect for entertaining and wowing your guests. It is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of accompaniments, such as bread cubes, crackers, raw zucchini, red pepper, or pea pods. Here are some ideas and instructions for serving crab fondue with these suggested sides:

Bread Cubes

Bread cubes are a classic and popular choice for serving with crab fondue. It is recommended to use French bread or Italian bread that is a day old, as fresh bread may fall apart when dipped into the fondue. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes, providing fondue forks for your guests to spear the bread and swirl it into the fondue.

Crackers

Cocktail crackers or breadsticks can be served alongside the crab fondue for a crunchy and convenient dipping option.

Raw Zucchini

For a healthier option, raw zucchini sticks can be served with the crab fondue. This provides a refreshing and crisp contrast to the creamy fondue.

Red Pepper

Red bell pepper strips add a touch of sweetness and colour to the dish. They can be served raw or blanched, providing a crunchy and vibrant accompaniment to the fondue.

Pea Pods

Blanched pea pods are another unique and tasty option for dipping into crab fondue. They provide a crisp and fresh contrast to the rich and indulgent fondue.

When serving crab fondue, it is best to transfer the fondue to a heated chafing dish or fondue pot to keep it warm. This will ensure that the fondue remains at the ideal temperature and consistency for dipping.

Reheat leftovers in a saucepan

Reheating crab fondue is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. It is important to note that you should only reheat what you need, as fondue does not reheat well and is best served fresh.

Firstly, take your desired amount of leftover crab fondue and place it in a saucepan. Turn your stove burner to medium-low heat and let the saucepan sit until the fondue reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take around 5-10 minutes, depending on the amount of fondue you are reheating. Be sure to stir the fondue occasionally to prevent it from burning and ensure even heating.

If your fondue has thickened too much, you can add small amounts of dry white wine or milk to thin it out and achieve your desired consistency. Stir well after each addition of liquid.

Once the fondue has reached the desired temperature, you can serve it with your choice of dippers. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions