Savory Crab Stuffed Mushrooms: A Delicious Appetizer Made Easy

How to Make Savory Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

1. Preheat the Oven

• Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly greasing a baking dish with olive oil or butter. This will ensure the mushrooms don’t stick during baking.

2. Prepare the Mushrooms

• Gently remove the stems from the mushrooms. You can use a spoon or your fingers to carefully twist and pull out the stems.
• Save the mushroom stems! You can chop them up and add them to your crab stuffing for extra flavor or save them for a future dish like soups or sauces.
• Place the mushroom caps in your greased baking dish, cavity-side up.

3. Make the Crab Filling

• In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, and parsley. Stir until smooth and creamy.
• Gently fold in the cooked crab meat and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you like a bit of crunch, you can also mix in the breadcrumbs to help bind the stuffing and give it texture.

4. Stuff the Mushrooms

• Using a small spoon or your fingers, fill each mushroom cap with the crab mixture, packing it in tightly. Be generous with the filling, but make sure it doesn’t overflow.

5. Bake

• Place the stuffed mushrooms in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden and slightly browned on top.

6. Garnish and Serve

• Once the mushrooms are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a minute. Garnish with a little extra chopped parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added flavor and visual appeal.

Tips for the Best Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

• Choose the right mushrooms: Large white mushrooms or cremini mushrooms work best for stuffing, as they have enough space to hold the filling.
• Use fresh crab meat for the best flavor: While canned crab meat is convenient, using fresh crab will elevate the taste of your stuffed mushrooms.
• Add a kick: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the crab mixture.
• Make ahead: You can prepare the stuffed mushrooms ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake them. Just add an extra few minutes to the baking time if they are cold from the fridge.