GOAT Stone Crab Melt Recipe | The GOAT Chef

The GOAT Stone Crab Melt

Florida luxury. Unapologetically GOAT.

Sweet Florida stone crab piled high over toasted brioche, ripe tomato, and silky truffle goat cheese whiz—torched and broiled until bubbling and golden.

This is not a traditional seafood melt buried under cheese. The stone crab remains the star, while the truffle goat cheese whiz adds richness without hiding the delicate flavor of the crab.

Finish it with fresh chives, lemon zest, Maldon sea salt, and fresh cracked black pepper. Rich. Luxurious. Legendary.

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

Stone Crab Melt

• 1 pound Florida stone crab claw meat, shells removed
• 4 thick slices fresh-baked brioche
• 4 ounces GOAT Truffle Goat Cheese Whiz
• 1 ripe tomato, sliced paper-thin
• Fresh chives, thinly sliced
• Fresh lemon zest
• Maldon sea salt, for finishing
• Fresh cracked black pepper

GOAT Truffle Goat Cheese Whiz

• 1 ounce unsalted butter
• 1 fresh garlic clove, finely grated
• Pinch of fresh rosemary, finely minced
• 2 ounces heavy cream
• 4 ounces freshly grated truffle goat cheese
• Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, to taste
• Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Equipment

• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• Sheet pan
• Parchment paper or foil
• Sharp chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Broiler or culinary torch
• Microplane or citrus zester

Instructions

Make the Truffle Goat Cheese Whiz

1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Add the fresh garlic and minced rosemary. Cook for approximately 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Do not brown the garlic.
3. Add the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer.
4. Reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the grated truffle goat cheese.
5. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth, silky, and fully emulsified.
6. Season lightly with Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt and fresh cracked black pepper.
7. Keep warm over very low heat. Do not allow the sauce to boil or become overly thick.

Build the Stone Crab Melt

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Place the brioche slices on a sheet pan and toast them lightly until golden but still tender inside.
3. Layer the paper-thin tomato slices over each piece of toasted brioche.
4. Pile the Florida stone crab claw meat generously over the tomato. Keep the crab in large, visible pieces.
5. Spoon the warm truffle goat cheese whiz over the stone crab. Do not completely bury the crab.
6. Torch the surface lightly to develop roasted flavor.
7. Place the melts under the broiler until the cheese sauce is bubbling and lightly golden.
8. Remove from the oven and finish immediately with fresh chives, lemon zest, Maldon sea salt, and fresh cracked black pepper.
9. Serve hot.

Chef Tips

• Use only real Florida stone crab claw meat.
• Do not shred or overmix the crab. Large, sweet pieces are the point.
• Inspect the crab carefully for shell fragments before building the melt.
• The truffle goat cheese whiz should be silky and spoonable, never thick or pasty.
• Slice the tomato paper-thin so it adds acidity without making the brioche soggy.
• Torching adds roasted flavor before the broiler finishes the melt.
• If the cheese hides the stone crab, you missed the point.

Make-Ahead and Storage

The truffle goat cheese whiz may be prepared up to two days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Reheat the sauce gently over low heat, whisking in a small splash of heavy cream if needed to restore its silky consistency.

The stone crab should remain refrigerated until immediately before assembly.

Assemble and broil the melts immediately before serving. Fully assembled melts should not be stored because the brioche will become soggy.

Related Recipes

• GOAT Stone Crab Mustard Sauce
• Florida Lobster Roll
• Florida Lobster Grilled Cheese
• GOAT Smoked Fish Dip
• GOAT Roasted Garlic Butter
• GOAT Pickled Bermuda Onions

Nutrition disclaimer: Nutritional information is provided only as an estimate and may vary based on the stone crab, brioche, cheese, ingredient brands, portion sizes, preparation methods, and substitutions. THE GOAT CHEF™ does not guarantee the accuracy of nutritional calculations.