Maryland Deviled Crab Recipe Perfect for Seafood Lovers

Maryland Deviled Crab is a beloved classic from the Chesapeake Bay area, celebrated for its rich flavors and satisfying texture. This dish combines fresh crab meat with a savory blend of spices, vegetables, and seasonings, all baked inside a crispy crab shell or served as a delicious crab cake.

Whether you’re a seafood enthusiast or a curious home cook, this recipe offers a delightful taste of Maryland’s coastal culinary heritage. The blend of Old Bay seasoning, mustard, and a hint of heat creates a harmonious balance that will keep you coming back for more.

Perfect as an appetizer or a main course, deviled crab brings a touch of elegance and comfort to any meal.

In this post, you’ll find everything you need to make authentic Maryland Deviled Crab at home, from the essential ingredients to step-by-step instructions and helpful tips. Get ready to impress your guests with this flavorful and iconic seafood dish!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Maryland Deviled Crab is a flavorful, protein-packed dish that captures the essence of Chesapeake Bay cooking. It’s not only delicious but also showcases the sweet, delicate taste of lump crab meat enhanced by a blend of spices and breadcrumbs.

This recipe is:

• Easy to prepare with accessible ingredients.
• Versatile—serve it as an appetizer, main dish, or party finger food.
• Authentic—true to Maryland tradition with Old Bay seasoning and a touch of heat.
• Impressively elegant for dinner parties or family gatherings.
• Customizable with options for spice level and presentation.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, the step-by-step instructions make this recipe approachable and fun. Plus, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes and salads for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh lump crab meat, picked over for shells
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably fresh or panko)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or more to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional, for heat)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 large egg, beaten
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Optional: Crab shells for presentation or extra breadcrumbs for topping

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking sheet or shallow casserole dish
• Oven preheated to 375°F (190°C)
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Crab shells or ramekins (optional, for serving)
• Cooling rack (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetable base: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
2. Mix the deviled crab filling: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a mixing bowl. Add the lump crab meat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, hot sauce (if using), chopped parsley, and beaten egg.
3. Season and combine: Gently fold all ingredients together using a spatula or wooden spoon, being careful not to break up the crab meat too much. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
4. Shape the crab mixture: If using crab shells, carefully fill each shell with the crab mixture, pressing gently to pack. Otherwise, form the mixture into individual crab cakes or mounds on a baking sheet.
5. Optional topping: Sprinkle a little extra breadcrumb over the top of each crab cake or shell to add a crispy crust.
6. Bake: Place the filled shells or crab cakes on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through.
7. Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with lemon wedges and your favorite side dishes.

Tips & Variations

“For the best Maryland Deviled Crab, always use fresh lump crab meat and don’t overmix to maintain a tender texture.”

Tips:

• Use fresh crab meat when possible; canned crab can be used but will affect texture and flavor.
• Adjust the amount of Old Bay seasoning to suit your taste—it’s a key Maryland flavor.
• For extra crunch, try adding crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs to the mixture.
• Don’t skip the lemon wedges—they brighten the flavors wonderfully.

Variations:

• Spicy Deviled Crab: Add cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
• Crab Cakes: Form the mixture into patties and pan-fry in butter for a crispy exterior.
• Stuffed Mushrooms: Use the filling to stuff large mushroom caps and bake.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like crushed nuts or gluten-free panko.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Maryland Deviled Crab is wonderfully versatile and pairs well with many side dishes. Consider serving it with:

• A crisp Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas for a refreshing contrast.
• Classic Southern-style sides like coleslaw, hush puppies, or corn on the cob.
• Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide for an exotic rice accompaniment.
• Light vegetable soups such as a Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food to start the meal.

Conclusion

Maryland Deviled Crab is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of coastal tradition and the natural sweetness of crab from the Chesapeake Bay. This dish offers a perfect blend of flavor, texture, and aroma that’s sure to delight both seafood lovers and newcomers alike.

With simple preparation and familiar ingredients, you can bring a taste of Maryland’s rich culinary heritage to your own kitchen.

Whether you serve it as an impressive appetizer or a satisfying main course, Maryland Deviled Crab is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget to explore other delicious recipes on our site to complement your meal and expand your cooking repertoire!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Maryland Deviled Crab”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A classic Maryland seafood dish featuring seasoned crab meat stuffed into crispy crab shells. Perfect as an appetizer or main course with a rich, savory flavor.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT25M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “6 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 lb lump crab meat, picked clean”, “1 cup breadcrumbs”, “1/4 cup mayonnaise”, “2 tablespoons Dijon mustard”, “1/4 cup finely chopped onion”, “2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper”, “1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce”, “1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning”, “2 tablespoons melted butter”, “1 tablespoon lemon juice”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “Salt and pepper to taste”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 375\u00b0F (190\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, combine crab meat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, mustard, onion, bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix gently to combine without breaking up the crab meat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Brush crab shells or small ramekins with melted butter.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spoon crab mixture into shells or ramekins, packing lightly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Drizzle melted butter over the top of the stuffed crab.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and heated through.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve warm with lemon wedges.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “280 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “22 g”, “fatContent”: “18 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “10 g”}}