Both she crab soup and crab soup are classic coastal dishes, but they have distinct ingredients and preparation methods that set them apart. Understanding the key differences helps you appreciate the nuances of these delicious soups.
A Brief History
Crab soup originated in crab-rich regions like Maryland and Virginia. Recipes typically include veggies like tomatoes and spices.
She crab soup hails from South Carolina’s Gullah culture. It was created to celebrate local seafood using female crabs rich in roe This adds creaminess and a depth of flavor that distinguishes it from standard crab soup
Primary Ingredients – The “She” Factor
The main ingredient in both soups is crab meat, but the type of crab differs
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Crab soup uses male crab meat.
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She crab soup traditionally uses female blue crab meat containing roe (eggs). This is the “she” in she crab soup. The roe provides a unique richness.
While crab soup ingredients vary by region, common components include:
- Vegetables like onions, celery, bell peppers
- Spices like Old Bay seasoning
- Tomato or broth base
She crab soup contains:
- Female blue crab meat with roe
- Heavy cream or milk for a velvety texture
- Sherry or brandy for depth of flavor
- Aromatic ingredients like onion, garlic
So the addition of the crab roe and a creamy base are the main distinctions in she crab soup.
Preparation Methods – Layering Flavor
Crab soup preparation is relatively simple:
- Sauté aromatics like onion, celery in butter/oil
- Simmer in tomato or broth base
- Gently fold in crab meat to avoid shredding
Crafting she crab soup requires more nuance:
- Make a butter and flour roux to thicken
- Sauté onions, garlic, spices to build flavor
- Slowly stir in broth, cream, and crab roe
- Finish with a splash of sherry/brandy
The meticulous layering of flavors through the roux and cream is vital to she crab soup.
Flavor Profiles – Comforting vs Decadent
The ingredients and prep methods result in very different tasting experiences:
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Crab soup is mildly sweet and savory, with a lighter broth base. Texture varies by region.
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She crab soup has a velvety, creamy mouthfeel and rich flavor from the roe and cream. It feels more indulgent.
Serving Suggestions
Crab soup pairs well with crackers or bread. She crab soup deserves elegance:
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Crab soup: Serve in a bowl with parsley or hot sauce
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She crab soup: Ladle into ornate bowls, garnish with crab roe and sherry
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Pair she crab soup with crusty breads or buttery crackers
Cultural Significance
Both soups have cultural importance, especially on the East Coast:
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Crab soup features in beach shacks to upscale eateries thanks to versatility
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She crab soup is an icon of Southern fine dining and hospitality
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They’re holiday staples and common at seafood festivals
While crab soup and she crab soup contain similar ingredients, the addition of crab roe and a silky, creamy base distinguish she crab soup. It requires meticulous preparation to balance flavors. Savoring these soups provides insight into regional cuisines of coastal America. Whether enjoying the comforting crab soup or decadent she crab soup, you can appreciate the artistry that goes into crafting these delicious coastal classics.
What is the “She” in She Crab Soup?
One summer we took a family trip to Charleston, South Carolina. When traveling, I like to find out the one dish the city is famous for and try to eat it as many times as I can. After all, how can you know what the “Best She Crab Soup in Charleston” is unless you sample a pretty fair share of them?
She Crab Soup, also called She Crab Bisque, was the dish of the trip. I discovered that the soup is made with female crabs. Makes sense. In addition, the roe (fish eggs) of the female crab is added to the recipe.
How do you know the difference between a male and a female crab? I went to a food conference in NYC one spring and got a “crab anatomy” lesson from a crab vendor.
He flipped over two crabs and explained that the male crabs have the Washington Monument on their undersides.
The females have the wider Capitol Building on their bellies.
What are the Ingredients in She Crab Soup?
After returning from that trip to Charleston, I was determined to re-create the recipe for She Crab Soup. For inspiration, I leaned on The Joy of Cooking’s recipe for lobster bisque, from which this recipe is loosely adapted.
Most recipes call for fresh crab. In a perfect, very French world, you would also use the shells of the crabs to make a super rich stock. Obviously this is not always practical. And unless you live in an area where crabs are regularly harvested, you will probably have a more difficult time finding “female” crabs.
Since I wanted this She Crab soup recipe to be fast and easy, I’ve used canned, lump meat crab from the seafood counter of my grocery store and bottled clam juice in place of fish stock. If you can find fish stock, substitute that for the bottled clam juice and chicken stock.
You’ll also need shallots, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, butter, dry white wine, white rice, tomato paste, Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, heavy cream, and spices.
What gives this bisque that certain ineffable quality, is the addition of sherry. Don’t skip that unless you must! I also like to add a shot of sherry just before serving for an extra kick.
Cream of Crab Soup w/Crab Toast.Ingredients: 8 oz Jumbo lump crab meat1 tsp garlic powder1 tsp onio
FAQ
What is the difference between Crab Soup and she-crab soup?
What is the difference between crab soup and she-crab soup? The main difference between crab soup and she-crab soup is that as the name suggests, she-crab soup is traditionally made with crab roe (crab eggs found inside a female crab, hence the “she”). but it’s incredibly difficult to get your hand on these days.
Why was it called she-crab soup?
Crab roe is the egg mass found on “pregnant” female crabs, which is how the dish got its feminine name. Deas’ creation later became known as she-crab soup. The traditional recipe calls for crab meat, heavy cream, sherry, and crab roe.
What is the she in she-crab soup?
The soup is named for the “she-crab”, or female crab, originally a gravid (roe-carrying) crab, as the orange crab roe comprise a chief ingredient in traditional she-crab soup. As with turtle soup, other ingredients may be added to the soup or substituted for others, although crab meat is found in all versions.