Rich, buttery seafood comfort
This easy Bubba’s crab stew is a Southern-style seafood classic that’s unbelievably rich, comforting, and simple to make. With sweet crab meat simmered gently in butter, cream, and milk, this stew delivers luxurious flavor with very little effort. It’s perfect for chilly evenings, special dinners, or anytime you want a restaurant-quality seafood dish at home. No complicated steps, no long ingredient list—just pure, indulgent comfort food that comes together fast and tastes even better with crusty bread on the side.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 lb lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp white pepper (or black pepper)
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 tbsp dry sherry (optional but traditional)
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or chives
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Medium saucepan or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Ladle
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Melt the butter: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter gently—do not let it brown.
- Add dairy: Slowly pour in heavy cream and milk, stirring constantly until warmed and fully combined 🥛
- Season: Stir in salt, white pepper, and cayenne. Keep heat low—mixture should steam, not boil.
- Add crab: Gently fold in crab meat, being careful not to break up the lumps.
- Simmer: Cook for 5–7 minutes, just until crab is heated through and stew is silky.
- Finish: Stir in sherry if using. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot 🦀✨
💡 Pro Tips
- Low heat is key: Boiling will break the cream—keep it gentle.
- Best crab: Lump or jumbo lump gives the most luxurious texture.
- Extra richness: Add a splash more cream right before serving.
- Storage: Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers keep refrigerated up to 2 days (reheat gently).