Broiled Crab Open-Facers are a creamy, savory snack or appetizer featuring the rich flavors of crab meat and cream cheese with a tangy touch of mustard and onion. Perfectly spread on Triscuits and broiled to a golden finish, this vintage-style recipe showcases a delightful combination of seafood and comfort-food textures. Originally popular in American coastal households, it became a staple for entertaining due to its quick prep and decadent taste.
Ingredients
- 7 ½ oz crab meat (drained)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp onion (finely chopped )
- ¼ tsp mustard
- ⅛ tsp salt
- Triscuits (or similar crackers)
Instructions
Step 1: Mix Crab and Mayo
- Stir crab meat and mayonnaise together. Set aside.
Step 2: Make Cheese Mixture
- In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add egg yolk, finely chopped onion, prepared mustard, and a dash of salt. Mix until creamy.
Step 3: Assemble on Crackers
- Spread the crab and mayo filling onto Triscuits.
- Top each with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture.
Step 4: Broil
- Place on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 5–6 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.
Tips
- Add a pinch of Old Bay seasoning for classic coastal flavor.
- Stir in minced celery for extra crunch.
- Replace Triscuits with baguette slices or English muffin halves.
- Add a few drops of hot sauce or cayenne for heat.
- Use fresh lump crabmeat for a gourmet version.
- Sprinkle paprika or chives on top after broiling.
- Substitute Dijon mustard for a sharper flavor.
- Add a tablespoon of lemon juice for brightness.
- Mix in shredded cheddar for a cheesier topping.
- Make ahead: prepare filling 1 day in advance and refrigerate.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
BROILED CRAB OPEN-FACERS
- 1 7 1/2 oz. can crab meat drained
1/4 cup mayo
1- 3 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 egg yolk
1 teas. finely chopped onion
1/4 teas. prepared mustard
dash of salt
Stir crab meat and mayo. Set aside. Beat cream cheese, egg yolk, onion
mustard and salt until creamy.
Spread filling on Triscuits. Top with cream cheese mixture. On baking sheet
broil 5-6 minutes.From Transcription to Instructions
Hi from Salvaged Recipes, the original directions are a tight little note: mix crab and mayo, beat cream cheese with egg yolk, onion and mustard until creamy, then spread crab on Triscuits, top with the cheese mixture and broil 5–6 minutes. The instructions unpack that into clear steps so you mix the crab separately, beat the cream cheese in another bowl before assembling, and use a doneness cue, broil until lightly browned, to know when to pull them. We didn’t change the amounts, just made the order easier to follow.
Nutrition
Calories: 155kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 7gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 310mgPotassium: 75mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 0.7mg
