Irresistible Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche Recipe For Seafood Fans

Nestled in the heart of the Hamptons, the Barefoot Contessa crab quiche recipe brings coastal elegance to your dining table.

Ina Garten’s culinary magic turns simple ingredients into an extraordinary brunch centerpiece.

Delicate crab meat mingles with rich, creamy custard, creating a luxurious texture that melts on your tongue.

The golden, flaky crust provides the perfect base for this sophisticated dish.

Fresh herbs and a hint of seasoning elevate each bite with remarkable depth.

You’ll love how effortlessly this quiche impresses guests and satisfies even the most discerning palate.

This recipe promises a delightful culinary journey that celebrates sea-inspired flavors with classic French technique.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 455 kcal

Servings: 6

Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Ingredient List

• Pie Crust: Delivers the delightful foundation for the quiche, choosing a buttery, flaky version enhances the overall texture.
• Gruyère Cheese: Adds a nutty, rich undertone that creates a protective barrier and brings depth to the quiche's flavor profile.

• Crab Meat: Provides luxurious seafood essence, selecting fresh or high-quality canned varieties ensures supreme taste.
• Scallions: Introduces a gentle onion-like sharpness and vibrant green color, chopping finely distributes flavor evenly.

• Eggs: Creates the silky, creamy structure of the quiche, using fresh room-temperature eggs ensures smooth blending.
• Heavy Cream: Generates a luscious, velvety texture that elevates the quiche's richness and mouthfeel.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes that cut through the richness and refresh the palate.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy complexity and subtle heat to complement the seafood.
• Seafood Seasoning: Delivers classic maritime flavor, blend like Old Bay for authentic taste.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other ingredients.
• Mace: Provides warm, delicate spiciness with hints of nutmeg, a traditional seafood companion.

Equipment Needed for Perfect Crab Quiche

• Pie Dish: 9-inch round ceramic or glass dish for baking the quiche.
• Pie Crust: Pre-made or homemade pastry shell for the base.
• Mixing Bowl: Medium-sized bowl for combining egg mixture.
• Whisk: For blending eggs and cream smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: To accurately measure ingredients.
• Grater: For zesting lemon and grating cheese.
• Sharp Knife: To chop scallions and slice quiche after baking.
• Spatula: For spreading ingredients evenly in the pie crust.
• Cooling Rack: To let quiche rest and cool after baking.

How to Make a Savory Crab Quiche Like the Contessa

• Cheese Foundation

Generously scatter cheese across the pie crust base, creating a delicious protective layer that will enhance the quiche’s flavor profile.

• Seafood and Herb Layer

Delicately arrange fresh crab meat over the cheese, then sprinkle vibrant scallions to add a subtle oniony brightness and visual appeal.

• Creamy Egg Blend

Whisk together a luxurious mixture of eggs, heavy cream, bright lemon zest, tangy mustard, and aromatic seafood seasoning with a hint of mace for complex depth.

• Baking Transformation

Place the quiche in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F, allowing the ingredients to meld and transform into a golden, puffy masterpiece.

• Resting and Serving

Remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool for 40 minutes, then allow an additional 15 minutes of resting time to help the filling set perfectly before slicing and serving.

Flavor Ideas and Variations for Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Quiche

• Elevate the Classic Dish
• Replace crab with fresh shrimp, lobster, or smoked salmon for a delightful twist on the original recipe.
• Experiment with gruyère, fontina, or sharp cheddar instead of standard cheese to add deeper flavor complexity.
• Sprinkle fresh dill, chives, or tarragon into the egg mixture for bright, aromatic undertones that complement the seafood.
• Prepare the quiche up to 24 hours in advance and reheat gently at 325 degrees F for a stress-free entertaining option.

Plating and Serving Crab Quiche Beautifully

• Brunch Brilliance: Serve this elegant crab quiche as the star of a weekend brunch spread, paired with a fresh mixed green salad and crisp white wine.
• Seafood Showcase: Highlight the delicate crab flavor by garnishing with extra chopped scallions, a sprinkle of lemon zest, and a small dollop of crème fraîche on each slice.
• Coastal Companion: Complement the rich quiche with a light cucumber salad or chilled gazpacho for a refreshing coastal-inspired meal that celebrates oceanic flavors.
• Party Perfection: Cut into smaller bite-sized pieces for an impressive appetizer at cocktail parties, allowing guests to enjoy this luxurious seafood dish as a sophisticated finger food.

How to Store Quiche So It Stays Delicious

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover quiche in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled quiche tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months – perfect for make-ahead meal planning.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual slices in the oven at 325 degrees F for 10-15 minutes to maintain the crispy crust and prevent soggy texture.
• Serve Strategically: Let chilled quiche sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance its flavor and achieve the best texture.

Dreamy Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s crab quiche blends delicate seafood with rich, creamy custard in a flaky pastry shell. Coastal flavors shine through with each elegant bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pound (454 grams) fresh white crabmeat, drained
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 4 oz (113 grams) gruyere cheese, shredded
• 1 (9-inch) pie shell, par-baked and pricked with a fork
• 2 scallions, minced
• ½ tsp grated lemon zest
• ½ tsp dry mustard
• ½ tsp seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 pinch ground mace

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F with the rack positioned centrally for uniform heat distribution.
2. Cheese Foundation: Create a protective base by generously spreading shredded cheese across the entire pie crust, preventing moisture absorption and enhancing flavor complexity.
3. Protein Layer: Meticulously distribute fresh crab meat in an even, consistent layer over the cheese foundation, ensuring balanced seafood coverage.
4. Aromatic Enhancement: Sprinkle finely chopped scallions across the crab meat to infuse delicate onion undertones throughout the quiche.
5. Custard Fusion: Combine eggs, heavy cream, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, seafood seasoning, kosher salt, ground mace, and mace powder in a mixing bowl, whisking until the mixture achieves a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
6. Assembly and Baking: Pour the custard mixture gently over the crab and scallion layers, ensuring complete coverage without disrupting the underlying ingredients. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the center sets and the surface transforms into a golden-brown hue with a subtle jiggle when softly shaken.
7. Cooling and Resting: Remove the quiche from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature for 40 minutes, enabling the filling to stabilize. Subsequently, let it rest an additional 15 minutes before slicing to guarantee pristine cuts and optimal textural integrity.

Notes

• Cheese Base Protection: Spread cheese evenly to create a moisture barrier preventing soggy crust bottoms.
• Crab Meat Distribution: Arrange crab meat uniformly for consistent flavor and texture in every slice.
• Egg Mixture Technique: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to ensure smooth, well-blended filling without lumps.
• Cooling and Resting: Allow quiche to cool completely before slicing to achieve perfect, clean cuts and optimal texture stability.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 455
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg