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Classic Cream of Crab Soup: Rich and Velvety Comfort

Close-up of a creamy bowl of crab soup topped with orange seasoning and herbs.
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Make this rich, creamy crab soup at home. This recipe delivers the decadent, restaurant-quality flavor of a classic seafood bisque using simple ingredients and Old Bay seasoning.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and celery. Cook until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Do not brown the vegetables.
  3. Whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
  4. Slowly whisk in the seafood or chicken broth until the mixture is smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  5. If using, stir in the dry sherry and let it cook for 1 minute.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, Old Bay seasoning, black pepper, and nutmeg. Heat gently until the soup is hot, but do not allow it to boil after adding the cream.
  7. Gently fold in the lump crab meat. Heat through for about 2 minutes, stirring minimally to keep the crab pieces intact.
  8. Taste the soup and add salt as needed.
  9. Serve immediately. Garnish each bowl with an extra sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning.

Notes

  • For a truly velvety texture, you can carefully blend about one cup of the soup base (before adding the crab meat) using an immersion blender until completely smooth, then stir it back into the pot.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, increase the flour to 5 tablespoons and cook the roux for an extra minute.
  • Use high-quality lump crab meat for the best seafood flavor in this comforting soup.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/crab-soup-classic-creamy-comfort-recipe/