Devilled crab is a flavorful, Southern classic dish featuring tender crab meat mixed with spices, breadcrumbs, and vegetables, baked to golden perfection. This dish is perfect for seafood lovers and can be served as an appetizer, a snack, or even a main course. Its savory, slightly spicy flavor with a crunchy top makes it an irresistible treat, often compared to crab cakes but with a bolder, zestier twist.
You’ll Love This Devilled Crab
If you’re a seafood lover, devilled crab is a must-try recipe. The tender crab meat mixed with savory spices, vegetables, and crispy breadcrumbs brings a rich texture and deep flavor that’s hard to resist. Perfect for gatherings or a weeknight treat, this dish is both elegant and comforting. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe that can easily be customized to your taste. Whether you’re new to seafood dishes or a seasoned cook, you’ll appreciate the ease and deliciousness of devilled crab.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb fresh or canned crab meat, picked for shells
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional for extra heat)
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (divided)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the crab mixture: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the crab meat, finely chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, hot sauce (if using), eggs, 1 cup of breadcrumbs, and fresh parsley. Mix everything until evenly combined.
- Season and taste: Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the spice levels by adding more cayenne or hot sauce if you prefer extra heat in your devilled crab.
- Assemble the dish: Grease individual ramekins or a baking dish. Spoon the crab mixture into the ramekins or dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the crab mixture.
- Add butter for crispness: Drizzle the melted butter over the breadcrumbs to give the topping a crispy, golden finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the ramekins or dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the crab mixture is heated through. For an extra crispy top, you can switch the oven to broil for the last 2 minutes of baking.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the devilled crab cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with a sprinkle of parsley if desired.
Serving Suggestions
Devilled crab is incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways. You can pair it with a crisp green salad for a lighter meal, or serve it alongside roasted vegetables or rice for a heartier dinner. For a fun twist, serve it as a dip with crackers or toasted bread. Another variation is to use the mixture to fill crab shells or ramekins for an elegant presentation. The dish pairs wonderfully with a zesty lemon wedge on the side to balance out the richness of the crab.
How to Store Devilled Crab
To store devilled crab, allow it to cool completely after baking. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. If you’d like to freeze the crab mixture, do so before baking for best results. Freeze in an airtight container or tightly wrap the dish in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, top with breadcrumbs, and bake as directed.
Additional Tips: Devilled Crab
- Crab Meat: Fresh crab meat is ideal, but you can also use good-quality canned crab if that’s more convenient.
- Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the spice level to your preference. You can add more cayenne or hot sauce if you enjoy extra heat.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs work well if you want an even crunchier topping. You can also try flavored breadcrumbs for an added kick.
- Vegetables: If you don’t have green bell pepper, you can substitute red or yellow bell peppers for a slightly different flavor.
- Serving Size: This recipe is perfect for individual ramekins, which makes it easy to serve for parties or portion control.
Devilled Crab Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb crab meat
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 cup celery chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp hot sauce optional
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs divided
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix crab meat, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, hot sauce, eggs, 1 cup breadcrumbs, and parsley in a bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon mixture into ramekins and top with breadcrumbs.
- Drizzle melted butter over the breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
EXCELLENT-no other words needed!