Bubba’s Crab Stew: Creamy Comfort for Cozy Nights Recipe
Bubba’s Crab Stew is a creamy and comforting seafood dish perfect for cozy nights. It features a smooth blend of sautéed fennel, celery, and onion in a rich buttery base thickened with self-rising flour, then combined with crab base, multiple creams, cooking sherry, and fresh crab meat. The stew simmers gently to meld flavors and is best served with crusty bread for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup/Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 bulb Fennel (adds subtle anise flavor and freshness; leeks can substitute for milder taste)
- 2 stalks Celery (provides crunch and slight peppery flavor)
- 1 large Yellow Onion (enhances sweetness and depth)
Dairy & Fats
- 4 tablespoons Butter (adds richness and helps sautéing; can be swapped with olive oil)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (contributes rich texture; half-and-half can replace)
- 1 cup Half and Half (balances creaminess; can substitute with milk)
- 1 cup Whole Milk (provides liquidity; non-dairy milk can be used for vegan option)
Dry Ingredients
- 0.5 cups Self-Rising Flour (thickening agent; regular flour plus baking powder can be used)
Liquids & Seasonings
- 4 cups Crab Base (concentrated crab flavor; seafood bouillon can substitute)
- 0.5 cups Cooking Sherry (adds sweetness and depth; white wine can substitute)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Protein
- 1 pound Crab Meat (fresh preferred; canned or frozen also work)
Accompaniments
- 1 loaf Crusty Bread (for dipping)
- Fresh Herbs (optional, like dill or parsley for brightness)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop the fennel bulb, celery, and yellow onion using a food processor until smooth. Set aside this mixture for later use.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large heavy saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they become soft and translucent.
- Add Flour: Stir in 0.5 cups of self-rising flour, mixing continuously until the flour is fully absorbed by the butter and vegetables. Cook this mixture for about 8-10 minutes until it’s bubbly and lightly golden in color, which will help develop a rich flavor and thicken the stew.
- Add Liquids: Gradually pour in 4 cups of crab base, 1 cup of heavy cream, 0.5 cups of cooking sherry, 1 cup of half-and-half, and 1 cup of whole milk. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Simmer Stew: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the stew simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Incorporate Crab Meat: Remove the saucepan from heat and gently fold in 1 pound of fresh crab meat. Season the stew generously with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Serve: Ladle the rich, creamy crab stew into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately with a loaf of crusty bread to soak up the luscious broth.
Notes
- Substitute fennel with leeks if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Regular flour with baking powder can replace self-rising flour.
- White wine can be used instead of cooking sherry.
- Fresh crab meat is ideal, but canned or frozen may be used in a pinch.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed after adding crab meat.
- Crusty bread is essential for an authentic experience, perfect for dipping.
- Adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley enhances brightness and aroma.
- For a lighter version, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Keywords: Crab stew, creamy crab soup, seafood stew, comfort food, cozy dinner, crab meat recipe, creamy seafood soup
