Description
This comforting Crab Soup recipe combines tender crab meat with a rich, creamy broth infused with aromatic vegetables and classic Old Bay seasoning. Perfect for seafood lovers craving a warm, hearty bowl of deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 cup of chopped onions
- 1 cup of chopped carrots
- 1 cup of chopped celery
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
Liquid and Seasonings
- 4 cups of seafood stock (or chicken stock)
- 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Cayenne pepper to taste
- 1 cup of heavy cream (or coconut milk)
Seafood
- 2 cups of crab meat
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Add Stock and Simmer: Pour in 4 cups of seafood stock or chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil. If using white wine, add it now and let it simmer for about 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
- Season the Soup: Add Old Bay seasoning, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Add Crab Meat: Gently fold in the crab meat and let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes so the crab can infuse the broth with its flavor.
- Add Cream: Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk. Heat through carefully without bringing it to a boil to avoid curdling.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed. You can add more Old Bay or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting crab soup.
Notes
- Use fresh crab meat for the best flavor, but canned or frozen crab meat can be substituted if needed.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk as suggested.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water during step 6.
- Adjust cayenne pepper carefully to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Adding a squeeze of lemon juice before serving brightens the flavors beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: crab soup, seafood soup, creamy crab soup, Old Bay seasoning recipe, comforting seafood, easy crab recipe
