Gluten Free She Crab Soup

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This Gluten Free She Crab Soup is a rich and creamy sherry-infused soup with chunks of jumbo lump crabmeat throughout. It's a local's favorite here in Virginia Beach.

bowl of she crab soup on white linen with navy blue linen napkin beside it and glass bottle of sherry behind it.

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Have you ever had she crab soup? It's something that I've had my whole life, or at least since I was a teenager. I don't think I've ever been to a seafood restaurant here in my hometown of Virginia Beach without it being on the menu.

In my early 20's, I got this recipe from someone I worked with and I've been making it since. It is one of the easiest soups you could ever make, it uses only a handful of ingredients, and it's by far one of the BEST she crab soups I've ever had! So if you're a seafood lover like we are, this Gluten Free She Crab Soup is a must make.

what is she crab soup?

If you're from the south, you definitely known what she crab soup is so I won't bore you with the details. But if you're new to the she crab soup fandom, she crab soup originated in Charleston, South Carolina, where coincidentally we also used to live, back when my dad was in the Navy. It is a cream-based crab soup that's full of crabmeat, spices, and usually topped off with some dry sherry.

She crab soup gets its name because it is often made with female crabs and their roe. I personally find no difference between those made with female or male crabs, or those made with or without roe. So I opt to leave those out, which can be difficult to find (unless you're picking your own crab). The easiest thing to do is to just buy a pound of crabmeat and call it a day.

what you'll need to make gluten free she crab soup

ingredients for she crab soup measured out and labeled.

Jumbo lump crabmeat--the original recipe never called for jumbo lump or even lump crabmeat. It called for backfin crabmeat, which is just another name for blue crabmeat that's been picked, but hasn't remained in large lumps. I personally prefer large (jumbo) lumps of crabmeat in my she crab soup, but if you can't find jumbo lump or don't want to justify the expense (it is rather expensive), backfin is also great in this soup.
Half and half--if you're from another country than the US and can't find half and half, it's basically heavy (double) cream and whole fat milk in equal parts.
Old Bay seasoning--I recently made she crab soup with another brand of "crab seasoning" (pandemic supply woes) and none of us cared for it, so I will only use Old Bay.
Dry sherry--I suppose you could make she crab soup without sherry, but it gives such a great flavor to the soup I'd strongly suggest you don't leave it out. Of course for kiddos, you can certainly leave it out and instead serve it alongside for the adults to add to the soup.

how to make she crab soup

Melt butter in large saucepan.
Add cornstarch and Old Bay and whisk until a smooth roux forms, 1-2 minutes.
Add half and half, a little at a time, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Carefully add crabmeat, switching to a spoon so you don't break up any lumps.
When the mixture begins to boil, turn the heat down to low and stir frequently until soup has thickened.
Add sherry and more Old Bay to taste.
Serve!

she crab soup frequently asked questions

Do I have to use jumbo lump crabmeat in she crab soup?

No, it's not absolutely essential to use jumbo lump crabmeat in she crab soup. Backfin crabmeat will work great. I would not suggest claw crabmeat.

Can I use something other than cornstarch to thicken she crab soup?

The original recipe called for flour and you could certainly use a gluten free xanthan gum free flour blend. But cornstarch is readily available and easier. You could also try potato starch or arrowroot starch.

I can't find half and half. What can I use instead?

Half and half is simply equal parts heavy cream and whole milk. If you can't find half and half, measure half the amount of half and half you need with heavy cream and then add whole milk to it.

more gluten free seafood and soup recipes to try

close up of spoonful of she crab soup with large chunk of crab.

Gluten Free She Crab Soup is creamy and rich, just the elegant starter for a special meal. Or serve it as the main event with a side salad.