Crab & Corn Stew 🦀🌽🔥 Creamy Sweet Corn Meets Tender Crab in a Rich, Cajun-Spiced Southern-Style Stew

ByKarl S

This stew is warm-weather comfort food — fresh corn cut from the cob, rich cream and stock, a touch of heat, and big chunks of sweet crab stirred in at the finish. Think chowder meets étouffée, but lighter, brighter, and loaded with summer flavor.

Perfect with toasted bread or rice, and a cold beer on the side.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the base

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 rib celery, finely chopped
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp cayenne (optional, for more heat)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Liquids & body

  • 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (from about 4 ears)
  • 2½ cups seafood or chicken stock
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or ¾ cup half-and-half for lighter)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (optional, for thickening)

Seafood

  • 8 oz lump crabmeat (fresh, frozen, or canned — well drained and picked over)
  • Optional: squeeze of lemon

To finish

  • 2 tbsp chopped green onion or chives
  • Fresh parsley or thyme (optional)
  • Hot sauce or chili oil for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Build the Base

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat butter and olive oil over medium. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté 5–7 minutes until soft. Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute more until fragrant.

Step 2: Add Corn and Liquids

Stir in corn kernels and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook 8–10 minutes to soften the corn and meld the flavors.

Step 3: Make It Creamy

Add cream and return to a low simmer. If using, stir in cornstarch slurry and cook another 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust salt, pepper, and spice to taste.

Step 4: Fold in the Crab

Gently stir in the crabmeat and warm through for 1–2 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

Step 5: Serve

Ladle into bowls. Garnish with green onion, herbs, and hot sauce or chili oil if desired. Serve with crusty bread or over rice.

Flavor Variations

  • Use shrimp or crawfish in place of or alongside crab
  • Add diced potatoes for a heartier version
  • Stir in a splash of white wine before the stock for extra depth
  • Blend half the stew for a chowder-style texture
  • Add a dash of Old Bay for extra coastal flair

Pro Tips

  • Use fresh crab for best flavor, but canned lump works well in a pinch
  • Don’t boil the stew once cream is added — just a gentle simmer
  • Taste your Cajun seasoning first — some blends are salty
  • Add more stock or cream if it thickens too much as it sits
  • Fresh corn is best, but frozen sweet corn keeps this a year-round option

Final Thoughts

Crab & Corn Stew is sweet, savory, and packed with layered flavor — like a summer low-country boil, transformed into creamy spoonable comfort. It’s simple to make, but never simple in taste.

Simmer slow. Fold in the crab. Serve it with a side of summer. 🦀🌽🔥

🍲 Hearty Seafood Soups & Stews

From creamy chowders to fiery global fish stews, this is your deep-dive into warm, comforting, ocean-inspired bowls.

🦐 Seafood Soup Recipes (Main Hub) – Chowders, bisques, and brothy seafood soups from all over the globe.
🦞 Seafood Stew Recipes (Main Hub) – Bold, rustic stews loaded with shrimp, fish, crab, and global spices.

🍜 Seafood Soup Favorites

🌽 Shrimp & Corn Chowder – Creamy, sweet, and perfect for late summer or cozy nights.
🐟 Classic Fish Stew – Tomato-based and herb-laced, with hearty chunks of white fish.
🦀 Creamy Crab Bisque – Rich and luxurious with delicate crab flavor.
🌊 New England Clam Chowder – Creamy, briny, and loaded with clams and potatoes.
🍅 Spicy Tomato Seafood Soup – A fiery broth with shrimp and fish, kissed by chiles.
🥥 Thai Coconut Seafood Soup – Silky, spicy, and aromatic with lemongrass and lime.
🐟 Salmon Chowder – Creamy and smoky with big flakes of fresh salmon.
🫘 Portuguese Fish & Bean Soup – Earthy and savory, perfect with crusty bread.
🌶️ Mexican Caldo de Mariscos – Spicy, tomato-rich seafood soup with big Baja flavor.
🌿 Mediterranean Fish Stew – Olive oil, fennel, and tomatoes — simple and soulful.

🌍 Global Seafood Stews

🇧🇷 Brazilian Moqueca (Shrimp & Coconut Stew) – Coconut milk, lime, and dendê oil — totally unforgettable.
🇮🇹 Italian Cioppino – Tomato-wine base with crab, mussels, and white fish.
🇹🇭 Spicy Thai Seafood Stew – Deep, complex heat and umami in every bite.
🇪🇸 Spanish-Style Fish Stew – Saffron-laced and rustic, with tender fish and potatoes.
🦀 Crab & Corn Stew – Southern-style with sweet crab and hearty corn.
🦞 Lobster Stew (Maine-Style) – Creamy, luxurious, and surprisingly simple.
🇰🇷 Korean Maeuntang (Spicy Fish Stew) – Fiery red broth with tofu and tender white fish.

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

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