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Authentic Maryland Style Cream of Crab Soup

A close-up of a white bowl filled with rich cream of crab soup, topped with generous lumps of crab meat and paprika.
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Make rich and creamy homemade cream of crab soup from scratch. This recipe uses lump crab meat and classic seasonings for a gourmet experience.

Ingredients

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  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups seafood or chicken stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 pound lump crab meat, picked over for shells
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Do not let it brown.
  3. Gradually whisk in the whole milk until smooth. Then, whisk in the seafood stock.
  4. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the soup thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.
  5. Stir in the Old Bay seasoning, black pepper, and mace or nutmeg.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream.
  7. Gently fold in the lump crab meat. If using, stir in the dry sherry now.
  8. Heat the soup gently over low heat until warmed through. Do not boil after adding the cream and crab meat.
  9. Taste and add salt as needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality lump crab meat. Gently pick through it to remove any shell fragments before adding it to the soup.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, you can use slightly more flour or let the milk mixture simmer longer.
  • This soup tastes best when served hot, garnished with a light sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/cream-of-crab-soup-recipe/