Crab and avocado are a match made in foodie heaven! This Crab Omelet is fresh, filling, and fancy yet fuss-free. This recipe is fast and easy, so it’s perfect for everything from a weekday power breakfast to an impressive brunch offering.
Last February I spent a long weekend in San Antonio with my BFF and her family. On my last full day, we brunched at Southerleigh in the historic Hotel Emma. Sidebar – Hotel Emma is a photographer’s playground. The architecture and interior design are stunning, and it’s filled with well considered small rooms, nooks, and crannies. It’s seriously dreamy, and I’m scheming up ideas to go back and shoot there.
Anyway, food. For brunch I had a crab and avocado omelet, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Since I won’t be getting back to SA soon enough, I had to make my own homecook friendly version.
I absolutely love crab, and now that we’re official Marylanders and in the throes of crabbing season, I’m enjoying it every chance I get. Unfortunately, Cam is allergic to shellfish so I have to be be careful with the recipes I choose. Luckily this crab omelet is the perfect serving for one, so I can have my crab and eat it too.
Video: Watch How to Make this Recipe
How to Make an American Style Crab Omelet
This is a classic three egg omelet prepared American style. AKA, the lazy way (folded once, not thrice).
Start by whisking three eggs with some fresh minced parsley and chives, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Seasoning the eggs with herbs at this stage will impart fresh, bright flavor throughout the omelet. Use farm fresh eggs if you have access to them. If your eggs are super, duper fresh, add a teaspoon or so of water to help break up the whites.
Set a 10″ non-stick skillet over medium heat and allow the pan to heat up for about a minute. Add a dollop of butter, and allow the butter to melt, then foam. Once the foam subsides, add the whisked eggs.
Swirl the pan to spread the eggs into an even layer over the bottom of the pan and then don’t touch it. Just let ’em cook for three to four minutes until the edges are firm and the center is still a little jiggly. If you see big air pockets forming in the center of the eggs, gently deflate them with the tines of a fork or the edge of a spatula.
Once the eggs have set, layer the ingredients into the omelet. I start with parmesan, then add the crab meat, green onions, and avocado, and finish with a second sprinkle of cheese. Make sure you have your ingredients prepped and ready to go, and work quickly but carefully.
A note about crab meat – go for the real stuff, and make sure it’s fresh and sustainably sourced. Yes, it’s expensive. But a little goes a long way in this recipe (you only need about two ounces) and there are so few ingredients that you want them to be the best quality you can afford. You literally get what you pay for when it comes to fresh seafood. My co-op offers locally sourced, pre-cooked lump crab meat, and it’s what I used here for ease.
If fresh lump crab meat is out of your budget, canned or frozen is the next best option. Check out this guide on canned seafood from Sarah at Champagne Tastes to help you select the best brand of canned crab meat. And if you’re adventurous and have a source, steam and pick your own – it doesn’t get fresher than that!
Gently flip the eggs over to form a semi-circle, and then remove from heat. Slide the omelet onto a plate and let it rest for a minute or two so the cheese can get melty.
I’m not gonna lie – this crab omelet is gigantic, and you can easily get away with two servings. I cut it in half for easier plating, and serve it with a tossed green salad for brunch. Ditch the salad and enjoy it on it’s own for breakfast. Right before serving, dust it with additional fresh herbs and a dollop of sour cream for a little tang and acidity. It’s the perfect garnish.
Did you make this Crab Omelet with Avocado and Herbs? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.
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Recipe
Crab Omelet with Avocado and Herbs
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin RecipeRecommended Equipment
- 10" Skillet
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp minced parsley, plus extra for garnish
- 1 tsp minced chives, plus extra for garnish
- ½ tsp sea or kosher salt
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ oz shredded parmesan, about 2 tbsp
- 2 oz lump crab meat, about ½ cup
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
- ½ avocado, sliced
- 1 tbsp sour cream
Instructions
- Crack the eggs into a small bowl. Add the chives, parsley, salt, and pepper to the eggs, then whisk with a fork until frothy.
- Heat a 10″ non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, and swirl until it melts then foams. Once the foam subsides, pour the whisked eggs into the pan. Swirl the pan to cover the bottom with an even layer of eggs.
- Saute the eggs over medium heat until the edges are firm and the center is just barely cooked through, 3-4 minutes. Deflate any large bubbles with the tines of a fork.
- Sprinkle half the parmesan cheese over one half of the omelet. Top the cheese with the lump crab meat, then sprinkle with green onions. Layer the avocado over the green onions, then top with the remaining parmesan cheese.
- Using a spatula, fold the empty half of the eggs over to form a half circle. Remove from heat, and transfer to a plate. Sprinkle with additional fresh herbs to taste, and garnish with a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
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Sarah
This omelet looks INCREDIBLE! Crab and avocado go so well together- YUM. The last time I had crab, I actually did put the leftover inside an omelet, and it’s just about the best thing ever. LOVE!
Danielle
It’s really an unexpectedly amazing combo!!
Royal
Excellent! Excellent! I used part of a left over king crab leg. The flavors really complement each other. I think the off flavor of canned crab would spoil this remarkable omelet.
Danielle
I’m so glad you loved it! I agree on using super fresh crab, but I’m also in Maryland so I’m totally spoiled 😀
Liza L.
easy and delish. I added diced red and orange mini sweet peppers. loved it!
Whitney
I made this for breakfast today and followed the recipe exactly….. 🤤 SO good! It’s my first time having a crab omelete and I have to agree, these flavors go so well together.
Marci
Excellent recipe. Made it with some leftover king crab, and it was to die for! In fact, my husband grabbed the plate out of my hand before I could even put the sour cream on top..had to chase him to the table with it, lol. I loved the herbs in the egg mixture..nice touch.
Nancy
Delicious one.
Bonnie
Absolutely delicious! Quick and easy. Prepared exactly as above. Thank you so much!
Teresa
It’s just one of me so I used 2 eggs instead of 3. And i didn’t have parmesan so i added some slices of a soft brie. It was AMAZING!! And i ate the whole thing!
Gloria
I did not have parsley or chives, nor do I like chives, so I used cilantro instead. I prefer pecorino romano cheese, so that is what I added.
It was so refreshing and the avocado made it creamy.
Next time I will use more onions, both white and green and more avocado.
I live in the middle of the woods and ate alfresco, felt as though I was on vacation. Would definitely make again. Thank you for sharing.
Peli2
Excellent! Made the omelet without the avocado (didn’t have any) but the omelet is great without! Recommend this – used fresh caught Oregon dungeness crab and fresh herbs from the garden. Served with toasted english muffins with a smear of sun-dried strawberry jam. Thanks for the recipe!
Peggy
I placed all the ingredients evenly on the entire circle of settled egg & herbs, rather than on half only. Added some tomato for color. Cut the omlette circle in half and served to my husband and me “open-face.” Really impressive
Roberto
Thank you. It took me days to find a decent crab omelette on the web. This is excellent in took a pass on the spring onions (too strong) and used crème fraise instead of sour cream.