Gourmet Deviled Crab Delicacies
Indulge in these Gourmet Deviled Crab Delicacies that are sure to impress your guests! With a perfect blend of blue crab meat and flavorful ingredients such as jalapeños, scallions, and a hint of cayenne pepper, these baked crab treats are an inventive way to showcase the rich taste of seafood. Whether served in cleaned crab shells or as delightful crab cakes, this recipe is perfect for gatherings, special occasions, or simply an elegant dinner at home. Each bite delivers a delicious combination of textures and flavors, enhanced by a crispy breadcrumb topping and zesty lemon wedges for garnish.
N/A
Servings
350
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted Butter
5 tablespoons (melted, plus additional to cut into pats)
Dry Sherry
2 tablespoons (none)
Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon (none)
Cayenne Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (plus more for garnish)
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon (none)
Large Egg
1 (beaten)
Blue Crab Meat
1 lb (ideally 2 parts jumbo lump and 1 part claw meat (about 2 cups))
Hard-Boiled Eggs
2 large (peeled and grated)
Scallions
3 (finely chopped (white part and 2 inches into green))
Jalapeño Peppers
2 small (seeded and finely chopped)
Panko Breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (plus 1/4 cup more for garnish)
Cleaned Crab Shells
10 (optional)
Fresh Parsley
for garnish (chopped (optional))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
In a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat, and whisk in dry sherry, fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and kosher salt until well combined. Add the large egg, whisking until fully incorporated.
3
In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the blue crab meat, grated hard-boiled eggs, chopped scallions, and finely chopped jalapeños. Carefully remove any shell pieces if needed.
4
Stir in the butter mixture until the crab mixture is evenly coated. The consistency should be slightly sticky yet easy to shape into cakes.
5
If you want to check the spiciness, microwave or fry a tiny sample and adjust cayenne pepper as desired.
6
For crab cakes, refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes. This will help the cakes hold their shape when frying or baking.
7
Using a 1/3 cup measuring cup, mold the crab mixture into 10 portions. Place each portion into cleaned crab shells or onto a greased baking sheet for crab cakes. Arrange shells on a baking tray if using.
8
Sprinkle the additional 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs evenly over each portion. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into thin pats and place one on top of each crab portion.
9
Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the tops are slightly browned and the mixture is set. For crab cakes, flip them once halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
10
Remove from the oven and garnish with a pinch of cayenne pepper and freshly chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for an extra zing!
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
15g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gourmet Deviled Crab?
Gourmet Deviled Crab is an elegant seafood dish made with blue crab meat, a blend of spices, jalapeños, and hard-boiled eggs, topped with panko breadcrumbs and baked until golden.
What type of crab meat should I use?
The recipe recommends using 1 lb of blue crab meat, ideally a combination of 2 parts jumbo lump and 1 part claw meat.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) for baking these crab delicacies.
How many portions does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 10 portions when using a 1/3 cup measuring cup to mold the mixture.
What are the main spices used in Deviled Crab?
The flavor is built using cayenne pepper, fresh ground black pepper, and kosher salt.
Why are hard-boiled eggs included in the recipe?
Grated hard-boiled eggs are added to the crab mixture to provide a unique texture and richness.
How do I make the crab mixture sticky enough to shape?
A mixture of melted butter, dry sherry, lemon juice, spices, and one large beaten egg acts as the binder.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, you can microwave or fry a tiny sample of the raw mixture to check the heat and add more cayenne pepper if desired.
Do I need to refrigerate the mixture before cooking?
If you are making crab cakes, refrigerating the mixture for 30 minutes is recommended to help them hold their shape during baking or frying.
What kind of breadcrumbs are best for the topping?
Panko breadcrumbs are used both in the mixture and as a topping for a crispy, light texture.
Can I bake these in real crab shells?
Yes, the recipe is designed to be baked in 10 cleaned crab shells, or on a greased baking sheet if making cakes.
How long do the Deviled Crabs need to bake?
Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the tops are slightly browned and the mixture is set.
Should I flip the crab cakes while baking?
Yes, if you are making crab cakes on a baking sheet, flip them once halfway through the 20-minute baking time.
What should I serve with the crab delicacies?
They are best served immediately with lemon wedges for an extra zing of flavor.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 20g of protein.
What is the calorie count for this recipe?
There are approximately 350 calories per serving.
Are there any fresh herbs in the recipe?
The recipe uses finely chopped scallions in the mix and suggests fresh parsley as an optional garnish.
How much fat is in this dish?
There is 25g of fat per serving, largely coming from the butter, crab, and eggs.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
The recipe calls for unsalted butter. If you use salted, you may want to reduce the additional kosher salt added to the mixture.
What is the purpose of dry sherry in the recipe?
Dry sherry adds a sophisticated depth of flavor and acidity that complements the sweetness of the crab meat.
How many jalapeños are required?
The recipe uses 2 small jalapeño peppers, which should be seeded and finely chopped.
Are there carbohydrates in this recipe?
Yes, there are 15g of carbohydrates per serving, primarily from the panko breadcrumbs.
Is the crab meat cooked before mixing?
Blue crab meat is typically sold pre-cooked; you should pick through it to remove any remaining shell pieces before mixing.
How much butter is used for the topping?
You use 2 tablespoons of butter, cut into thin pats, to place on top of the breadcrumbs before baking.
Can I make this as a party food?
Yes, it is tagged as an ideal party food and appetizer because it is easy to portion and serve.
What part of the scallion is used?
Use the white part and about 2 inches into the green part of the 3 scallions.
Is fresh lemon juice necessary?
The recipe specifies 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice for the best flavor profile.
What makes this recipe 'gourmet'?
The use of jumbo lump crab, dry sherry, and the presentation in crab shells elevates it to a gourmet level.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
Is this dish served hot or cold?
This dish should be served immediately after baking while it is hot and the topping is crispy.