Looking to take your regular steak dinner from good to absolutely amazing? If you’ve ever been to a fancy steakhouse, you’ve probably noticed “Oscar-style” on the menu – that classic combination of crab, asparagus, and hollandaise that makes everything it touches taste better. After ordering it a few times (and paying those steep restaurant prices), I decided to figure out how to make this crab oscar topping at home.
Now I’m sharing my straightforward recipe that lets you bring that steakhouse experience right to your dinner table, without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Crab Oscar Topping
- Quick preparation – Ready in just 15-25 minutes, this elegant topping turns an ordinary steak into a restaurant-quality meal without keeping you in the kitchen all evening.
- Rich and creamy texture – The combination of mayonnaise, butter, and sour cream creates a luxurious sauce that perfectly complements both the sweet crab meat and your favorite cut of steak.
- Simple ingredients – Most of these ingredients are kitchen staples, and the recipe uses straightforward measurements that make cooking stress-free.
- Restaurant-style upgrade – This topping instantly elevates your home-cooked steak to steakhouse status, making it perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress dinner guests.
What Kind of Crab Meat Should I Use?
For a luxurious steak topping like this, lump crab meat is your best bet, though you’ve got a few good options to choose from. Jumbo lump crab meat, while pricier, gives you those big, impressive chunks that make the dish look and taste extra special. Regular lump crab meat is also great and a bit more budget-friendly, while still maintaining nice, meaty pieces. If you’re shopping at the seafood counter, fresh crab meat is fantastic, but don’t feel bad about using refrigerated pasteurized crab meat – it’s what most restaurants use and works perfectly in this recipe. Just steer clear of imitation crab meat, as it won’t give you the sweet, delicate flavor that makes Oscar-style toppings so good.
Options for Substitutions
Let’s talk about ways to switch things up with this topping recipe, keeping in mind some ingredients are key to maintaining that classic Oscar style:
- Crab meat: While real crab meat gives the best results, you can use imitation crab meat if you’re on a budget. For a different twist, try using lobster meat or even chopped shrimp, though this will change the traditional Oscar style.
- Mayonnaise and sour cream: Greek yogurt can replace either the mayo or sour cream (or both) for a lighter version. Just know the taste will be slightly tangier.
- Powdered mustard: Out of powdered mustard? Use 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard instead – it’ll give you that same mustardy kick.
- Spicy sauce: Any hot sauce works here – Tabasco, Sriracha, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper can do the job.
- Fresh lemon juice: If you don’t have fresh lemon, use 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice, or try lime juice for a different citrus note.
- Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil works fine here, or you can just use extra butter instead.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when preparing Crab Oscar topping is overcooking the crab meat – since it’s already cooked, you only need to heat it through gently to maintain its sweet, delicate flavor and prevent it from becoming tough and rubbery. Another common error is not draining the crab meat well enough, which can make your topping watery and cause it to slide right off your steak. To make this topping even better, sauté the onions, celery, and garlic until they’re soft but not browned – this develops a sweet flavor base without overpowering the crab. When mixing the ingredients, fold them together gently rather than stirring vigorously, as this helps maintain the chunks of crab meat and creates a better texture in the final dish.
What to Serve With Crab Oscar Topping?
Since Crab Oscar is traditionally served over steak, you’ll want some classic steakhouse sides to round out your meal. Roasted asparagus is a natural choice – it’s actually a traditional part of the Oscar preparation and tastes great with the creamy crab mixture. A simple baked potato loaded with butter and chives makes the perfect base to soak up any extra sauce from the topping. If you’re feeling fancy, you might want to add some sautéed mushrooms on the side, which pair wonderfully with both the steak and the crab mixture. Just remember to keep the sides simple since the Crab Oscar topping is already rich and flavorful.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: After preparing your crab Oscar topping, place it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to 2 days, though it’s best enjoyed within 24 hours when the flavors are at their peak. The mayo and sour cream base helps keep everything nicely bound together.
Make Ahead: You can prep this topping a few hours before serving – just keep it chilled until you’re ready to use it. If you’re planning a dinner party, this is super handy since you can focus on cooking your steaks when guests arrive. Just give it a quick stir before topping your steaks.
Serve: When you’re ready to use your chilled crab topping, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This helps the flavors come alive and makes it easier to spread on your hot steak. I don’t recommend freezing this topping since the mayo and sour cream might separate and the texture of the crab could become mushy.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Total Time | 15-25 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 700-800
- Protein: 60-70 g
- Fat: 50-60 g
- Carbohydrates: 10-15 g
Ingredients
- 1 pound crab meat
- 1 small onion, chopped finely
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- Juice from 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon powdered mustard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon spicy sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Crab Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 pound of crabmeat with 1 small finely chopped onion.
Optionally, add 1/4 cup of finely chopped celery for extra crunch.
Mix these ingredients together gently to start building your flavorful crab topping.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
To the bowl with the crabmeat mixture, add the juice of 1 large lemon, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon of dry mustard, and 2 tablespoons of sour cream.
These ingredients will enhance the flavor and add creaminess to the mixture.
Step 3: Sauté the Garlic
In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Once the butter has melted, add 2 minced cloves of garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
Be careful to avoid burning the garlic as this will give a bitter taste.
Step 4: Combine Sautéed Garlic and Season
Pour the sautéed garlic mixture into the bowl with the crabmeat and other ingredients.
Season the mixture with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of hot sauce.
These seasonings will add depth and a bit of heat to the topping.
Step 5: Fold Ingredients and Serve
Gently fold all the ingredients together until they are well combined, ensuring not to break up the crab too much.
This delicate balance will keep the texture intact.
Serve the crab topping over cooked steak or your preferred choice of protein for a luxurious and tasty addition to your meal.