Deviled crab and crab cakes are two classic crab dishes that both showcase the sweet, delicious flavor of crab meat, but they are prepared differently and have distinct textures and flavors Understanding the key differences between deviled crab and crab cakes can help you decide which one to make for your next seafood dinner or party
Deviled Crab – A Spicy Southern Delicacy
Deviled crab is a spicy, creamy crab dish that originated in the Southern United States. The key components are:
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Crab meat – The sweet lump or backfin crab meat provides the signature crab flavor Blue crab is most traditionally used
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Breadcrumbs – Dry breadcrumbs are added to the filling to bind it together and add texture.
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Spices – Paprika, cayenne, mustard powder, and other spices give deviled crab its signature heat and zing.
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Creaminess – Mayonnaise, cream cheese, or sour cream are used to make the filling creamy.
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Stuffing – The spicy crab filling is stuffed back into the crab shell before baking.
Deviled crab is often served as an appetizer. The stuffed crab shells make for a fun, interactive presentation. Biting through the crispy, seasoned shell into the hot, creamy crab filling is part of the experience. The spicy, indulgent flavors make deviled crab a favorite in the South.
Crab Cakes – A Chesapeake Bay Classic
Crab cakes originated in the Chesapeake Bay area, where blue crab is abundant. The main components are:
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Lump crab meat – Jumbo lump or backfin crab meat adds sweetness.
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Binders – Eggs and mayonnaise act as binders to hold the crab cake together.
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Breadcrumbs – They add texture and absorb moisture.
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Old Bay seasoning – The iconic crab cake seasoning adds warmth but doesn’t overwhelm the crab.
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Shape – Crab cakes are formed into patties or cakes and then pan-fried.
Crab cakes have a crisp exterior and tender, flaky interior. The flavor showcases the crab itself rather than lots of seasoning. They are often served as sandwiches or as entrees with sides like coleslaw. Crab cakes are a popular appetizer all along the East Coast.
Key Differences
While both dishes highlight crab, there are some key differences:
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Texture – Crab cakes have a crisp exterior and flaky interior while deviled crab has a soft, creamy filling.
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Shape – Deviled crab is stuffed into shells while crab cakes are formed into patties/cakes.
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Flavor – Deviled crab is boldly spiced while crab cakes let the crab shine through.
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Binders – Crab cakes use egg and mayo while deviled crab uses breadcrumbs.
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Seasoning – Deviled crab contains more heat from spices like cayenne and paprika.
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Origins – Crab cakes are mid-Atlantic while deviled crab is Southern.
Serving Suggestions
Deviled crab and crab cakes each pair well with certain sides and sauces:
Deviled Crab
- Tartar sauce or remoulade
- Cornbread
- Coleslaw
- Hot sauce
Crab Cakes
- Lemon wedges
- Remoulade or tartar sauce
- Old Bay seasoned fries
- Coleslaw or salad
You can also substitute imitations crab meat in either recipe to cut costs while still enjoying a crab-flavored dish. Both freeze well for meal prepping. Consider mixing up a batch of each for variety!
Which is Better?
Whether deviled crab or crab cakes come out on top is a matter of personal preference! Here are some factors to consider:
Go Deviled Crab If You Like:
- A spicy, indulgent appetizer
- The interactive shell presentation
- Strong crab seasonings like paprika
- Creamy textures and sauces
Go Crab Cakes If You Prefer:
- Mild seasoning that lets the crab shine
- A crispy exterior with tender flaky meat
- Crab as a sandwich or entree
- Simple recipes and ingredients
Bring On the Crab!
Deviled crab and crab cakes are two of the most beloved crab recipes. Both showcase sweet crab meat in different ways. Deviled crab is boldly spiced and creamy while crab cakes are crispy and tender. The choice between the two depends on if you prefer spice vs. simplicity and shells vs. cakes. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong celebrating seafood with these classic crab dishes!
Why you will love this recipe:
- This recipe showcases the crab meat’s natural sweetness and delicate taste and doesn’t include unnecessary fillers.
- This recipe is incredibly versatile and can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or main dish.
- Each step is clearly explained, from ingredient preparation to baking and serving.
What is deviled crab:
Deviled crab is a delicious Southern seafood dish of crab meat combined with seasonings, spices, and other ingredients to create a flavorful filling. The filling is then stuffed into crab shells or ramekins and baked until golden brown and crispy.
Ybor City Style Deviled Crab: The Perfect Portable Crab Cake!
FAQ
What is the difference between crab cakes and deviled crab?
Deviled Crab is very similar to crab cakes except generally has a bit more breading, especially if they are shaped without the shell, more like croquettes or hush puppies. I like these in the shell so there is a bit less breading.
Why is it called deviled crab?
Lore has it that once upon a time, someone ate one and said it was “hot as the devil” and the name stuck. But through the years it’s kind of morphed into “deviled” crab.
What are the two types of crab cakes?
- Restaurant style crab cakes are just held together with egg and contain no breading or mayonnaise.
- Boardwalk style crab cakes contain more ingredients and are held together with just a small amount of breading. Both are prepared with old bay seasoning and fresh lemon.
What’s in deviled crab?
Deviled crab is a dish made from a mixture of crab meat, seasonings, and other ingredients, often bound together with breadcrumbs and sometimes formed into a patty or stuffed into a shell, then cooked. Common ingredients include crab meat, mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, onion, celery, green pepper, and various seasonings like Old Bay, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.
What is a deviled crab?
Similar to crab cakes and crab imperial, deviled crab showcases fresh crabmeat by enhancing it with seasonings and spices. Similar to crab cakes, deviled crab also uses binders like breadcrumbs and egg to keep the mix together. Like crab imperial, its baked in a ramekin or other baking vessel.
Can you eat deviled crab cakes with one hand?
It is typically served for lunch or as a snack, and it is meant to be eaten with one hand. Deviled crabs are somewhat similar to boardwalk-style Maryland crab cakes. Differences include the oblong shape, the seasonings used, and the preferred method of eating (by hand).
Is deviled crab bad?
Deviled crab is one of the Lowcountry’s greatest dishes. Deviled crab is one of the great traditions of the Lowcountry. Unfortunately, due to the many more-breadcrumb-than-crab, freezer-burned versions out there, most people turn their noses up when they think of it. I can’t really blame them—bad deviled crab is really bad.
Where do deviled crab croquettes come from?
Deviled crab croquettes originated in Tampa, Florida, where they were developed in the Spanish, Cuban and Italian immigrant community of Ybor City. It is typically served for lunch or as a snack, and it is meant to be eaten with one hand. Deviled crabs are somewhat similar to boardwalk-style Maryland crab cakes.
How do you make deviled crab?
So here’s a brief recap for how to make deviled crab before you get started. The full recipe is below: Step 1. Cook the rice: Combine water, 1 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. white pepper and a bay leaf in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, add rice, and simmer gently for about 10 minutes until rice is tender. Drain and cool to room temperature. Step 2.
Where did deviled crab come from?
As a seafood lover and aspiring home cook, I wanted to learn more about what exactly deviled crab is, where it came from, and how to make it properly. Here’s what I discovered in my research. While the exact origins are unclear, deviled crab seems to have first appeared in the late 1920s in Tampa Florida.