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–+ servings
Alice's Deviled Crabs
Alice’s Deviled Crab is a savory and comforting seafood dish popular along the Eastern seaboard, especially in coastal communities where crab is abundant. This version uses fresh boiled crab meat, seasoned with mustard, horseradish, and lemon or lime juice, then enriched with milk, eggs, and parsley. The mixture is formed into patties, coated with buttered crumbs, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for make-ahead dinners or special gatherings, this classic seafood recipe balances creamy richness with tangy spice and is both nostalgic and elegant.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill/Freeze Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 65 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 boiled crabs (about 4 cups crab meat)
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp parsley (minced )
  • 2 tsp lemon juice ( or lime juice)
  • 1 tsp prepared mustard
  • 1 tsp horseradish
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs (minced)
  • buttered bread crumbs (for coating)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Make the Base

  • Melt butter in the top of a double boiler.
  • Stir in flour until smooth and bubbly.

Step 2: Add Flavor

  • Add parsley, lemon or lime juice, mustard, horseradish, and salt.
  • Stir to combine.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

  • Gradually stir in milk.
  • Cook over boiling water, stirring constantly, until thickened.

Step 4: Add Eggs & Crab

  • Add minced hard-boiled eggs and crab meat.
  • Stir well to combine.

Step 5: Shape & Coat

  • Form the mixture into patties.
  • Roll each patty in buttered bread crumbs.

Step 6: Freeze or Bake

  • Place patties in the freezer to firm up.
  • When ready to use, thaw and bake in a 400°F oven for 10–15 minutes or until golden brown.

Tips

  • Use lump crabmeat for richer texture.
  • Substitute lime juice with lemon juice per the card’s optional note.
  • Add a pinch of cayenne for heat.
  • Stir in finely diced celery or onion for extra flavor.
  • Replace milk with cream for a richer patty mixture.
  • Chill the mixture before forming patties to make shaping easier.
  • Try baking without freezing for a softer, delicate texture.
  • Serve with tartar sauce or lemon aioli.
  • Add Old Bay seasoning for a classic Mid-Atlantic twist.
  • Form into mini appetizer-sized patties for party trays.

Nutrition

Calories: 65kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 133IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword comfort food, crab cakes, deviled crab, heirloom recipe, southern seafood, vintage recipe
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