If you're an admirer of comforting, hearty meals with a coastal flair, this Southern Crab Hash recipe is just the dish for you. It's a unique blend of succulent crab meat, crispy bacon, and hearty potatoes that are bound to leave you and your guests asking for more. Perfect for brunches, lunches, or even a special dinner, this dish is a celebration of southern flavors and seafood delicacies.
The key ingredient in this recipe is Lump Crabmeat. It is usually sold canned, and can be found in the seafood aisle of most supermarkets. It's cooked and ready to eat, making it a convenient choice for this recipe. Another ingredient that might not be in your pantry is Worcestershire sauce. This fermented condiment brings a unique, tangy flavor to the dish that sets it apart. Lastly, fresh chives are used for garnishing. They add a delicate onion-like flavor and a pop of color.
Ingredients for Southern Crab Hash
Boiling potatoes: These will provide the starch and substantial body for the hash.
Bacon slices: These are used for their smoky flavor and crispy texture, which contrasts beautifully with the soft potatoes and tender crab.
Onion: Adds a sweet, caramelized flavor to the dish.
Cooking oil: Used to fry the potatoes and onions.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the ingredients.
Cream cheese: Adds creaminess to the recipe.
Milk: It helps to thin out the cream cheese to create a rich, creamy sauce.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds a tangy, umami flavor to the dish.
Cayenne: Gives a touch of heat. Adjust to taste.
Lump Crabmeat: This is the star ingredient. It brings a delicate, sweet flavor and tender texture.
Fresh ground black pepper: Adds heat and depth of flavor.
Fresh chives: Gives a mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
One reader, Florentia Agnew says:
This southern crab hash recipe is a game-changer! The combination of tender crab meat, crispy bacon, and perfectly seasoned potatoes is simply divine. The flavors are rich and comforting, making it the perfect dish for a cozy weekend brunch. It's a must-try for any seafood lover!
Key Techniques for Mastering Southern Crab Hash
How to boil potatoes: Boil the potatoes in a medium saucepan of salted water until almost tender, then drain.
How to cook bacon: Cook the bacon in a large nonstick or cast-iron frying pan until crisp, then remove and crumble it.
How to brown potatoes: Cook the potatoes in a pan without stirring until they are well browned, then add the onion and bacon and continue cooking until warm through.
How to make cream sauce: Heat the cream cheese, milk, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, and salt in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring until hot.
How to warm crabmeat: Add the crab and black pepper to the cream sauce and cook, stirring, until warm through.
How to serve: Top the crab hash with chives and serve.
How To Make Southern Crab Hash
Packed with flavor and crisp, this crab hash is made delectable with potato, crisp bacon, and tender crabmeat, all mixed in with a tasty cream cheese melt.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2lbboiling potatoes
- 6bacon slices
- 1onion
- cooking oil
- ½tspsalt
- 3ozcream cheese
- ¼cupmilk
- 1½tspWorcestershire sauce
- 1pinchcayenne
- ¾lblump crabmeat
- 1tspfresh ground black pepper
- 3tbspfresh chives,or scallion tops, chopped
Instructions
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Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan of salted water. Bring to a boil.
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Lower the heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes until almost tender. Drain.
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In a large nonstick or cast-iron frying pan, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and crumble it.
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Pour off and reserve all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan. Add the onion to the pan and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, for about 8 minutes until browned.
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Remove the onion. Wipe out the pan.
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In the same pan, heat the reserved bacon fat and enough oil to measure 3 tablespoons over moderately high heat. Add the potatoes. Let them cook, without stirring, for 6 minutes.
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Add ¼ teaspoon of salt, stir, and cook the potatoes for about 6 minutes longer until well browned. Add the onion and bacon and continue cooking for about 1 minute longer until they are warm through.
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In a medium saucepan, heat the cream cheese, milk, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt over moderately low heat, stirring, for about 5 minutes until hot.
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Add the crab and black pepper and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes longer until warm through. Stir the crab mixture and 2 tablespoons of chives into the potatoes until just combined.
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Serve topped with the remaining 1 tablespoon of chives, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 576.97kcal
- Fat: 31.78g
- Saturated Fat: 10.86g
- Trans Fat: 0.09g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 13.36g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.12g
- Carbohydrates: 45.69g
- Fiber: 5.77g
- Sugar: 5.25g
- Protein: 27.51g
- Cholesterol: 136.12mg
- Sodium: 1009.47mg
- Calcium: 159.74mg
- Potassium: 1390.38mg
- Iron: 2.75mg
- Vitamin A: 96.25µg
- Vitamin C: 51.41mg
Expert Technique Tip for Elevating Your Southern Crab Hash
When preparing the potatoes, ensure they are cut into even pieces before boiling. This will ensure they cook evenly and at the same rate. Additionally, when cooking the bacon, start with a cold pan. This allows the fat to slowly render out, resulting in crispier bacon. Lastly, when adding the crabmeat to the cream cheese mixture, be gentle to avoid breaking up the lumps of crab. This will ensure you have nice, chunky pieces of crab in your hash.
Time-Saving Tricks for Preparing Southern Crab Hash Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop and prepare ingredients the night before to save time on the day of cooking.
One-pot wonders: Look for recipes that allow you to cook everything in a single pot or pan to minimize cleanup.
Batch cooking: Make larger portions and freeze the extra for quick and easy meals on busy days.
Use kitchen tools: Utilize kitchen gadgets like food processors and mandolines to speed up the prep process.
Plan your meals: Create a weekly meal plan to streamline grocery shopping and meal preparation.
Substitute Ingredients For Southern Crab Hash Recipe
boiling potatoes - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes can add a slightly sweeter and more complex flavor to the dish, while still providing a similar texture and heartiness.
bacon - Substitute with pancetta: Pancetta offers a similar salty and savory flavor to bacon, but with a slightly different texture and richness that can complement the crabmeat well.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor compared to onions, adding a subtle complexity to the dish without overpowering the other ingredients.
cooking oil - Substitute with butter: Butter can add a rich and creamy flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall richness and depth of the flavors.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a more nuanced and complex saltiness compared to regular table salt, enhancing the overall seasoning of the dish.
cream cheese - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can offer a tangy and creamy element to the dish, while also providing a lighter and healthier alternative to cream cheese.
milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk can add a subtle sweetness and a hint of tropical flavor to the dish, complementing the crabmeat and adding a unique twist to the recipe.
Worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can provide a similar depth of flavor and umami richness to the dish, enhancing the savory elements of the crab hash.
cayenne - Substitute with paprika: Paprika can offer a milder heat and a slightly smoky flavor, adding depth and complexity to the dish without overwhelming the other flavors.
lump crabmeat - Substitute with canned tuna: Canned tuna can provide a similar texture and protein content, offering a more budget-friendly alternative while still contributing a seafood element to the dish.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can provide a similar heat and pungency to black pepper, but with a slightly different flavor profile that can add a unique twist to the dish.
chives - Substitute with green onions: Green onions can offer a similar mild onion flavor and a pop of color, adding a fresh and aromatic element to the dish.
Presentation Tips for a Delightful Crab Hash Experience
Elevate the plating: When presenting the Southern Crab Hash, focus on creating an elegant and visually appealing presentation. Use edible flowers or microgreens to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
Incorporate texture: Introduce a textural element to the dish by adding a crispy element, such as potato crisps, to provide a delightful contrast to the creamy crab hash.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to allow the vibrant colors and textures of the dish to stand out. This will draw attention to the intricate details of the Southern Crab Hash.
Highlight the main ingredient: Showcase the lump crabmeat as the star of the dish by carefully arranging it on top of the hash, allowing its natural beauty to shine through.
Incorporate artistic drizzling: Use a reduced balsamic glaze or a vibrant herb oil to create artistic drizzles on the plate, adding both flavor and visual appeal to the presentation.
Emphasize precision: Pay attention to the placement of each component on the plate, ensuring that every element is meticulously arranged to create a visually stunning and harmonious presentation.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Crafting the Perfect Crab Hash
- Medium saucepan: A medium-sized pot used for boiling, simmering, and heating ingredients.
- Large nonstick or cast-iron frying pan: A large skillet with a nonstick or cast-iron surface for frying, sautéing, and cooking ingredients without sticking.
- Spatula: A kitchen tool with a broad, flat, flexible blade used for lifting, spreading, or flipping ingredients.
- Whisk: A utensil with a handle and wire loops used for beating, blending, and incorporating ingredients together.
- Cooking oil: A liquid fat used for frying, sautéing, and adding flavor to dishes.
- Medium saucepan: A pot used for heating, melting, and cooking ingredients over moderate heat.
- Nonstick or cast-iron frying pan: A skillet with a nonstick or cast-iron surface for cooking, frying, and sautéing without sticking.
- Medium saucepan: A pot used for heating, melting, and cooking ingredients over moderate heat.
- Mixing spoon: A long-handled spoon used for stirring, mixing, and combining ingredients in a bowl or pot.
- Medium saucepan: A pot used for heating, melting, and cooking ingredients over moderate heat.
Storing and Freezing Southern Crab Hash for Later Enjoyment
- Let the southern crab hash cool completely before storing or freezing.
- To store in the refrigerator, transfer the cooled hash to an airtight container or cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the crab hash:
- Divide the cooled hash into individual portions or freeze it in a single large container, depending on your preference.
- If using a container, make sure it is freezer-safe and has a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn.
- Alternatively, you can wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the container or freezer bag with the date and contents for easy reference.
- Frozen southern crab hash will maintain its best quality for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat the frozen hash, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
- Once thawed, you can reheat the hash in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through and any excess liquid has evaporated. You may need to add a little oil or butter to the pan to prevent sticking and help crisp up the potatoes.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the thawed hash in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds to ensure even heating.
- Be sure to consume the reheated crab hash within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture.
How To Reheat Leftover Southern Crab Hash
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the leftover southern crab hash in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. This method helps to retain the moisture and prevent the potatoes from drying out.
For a quicker option, use your microwave. Place the crab hash in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. The damp paper towel will help to keep the dish moist.
If you prefer a crispy texture, reheat the southern crab hash in a skillet on the stovetop. Add a small amount of cooking oil or butter to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add the leftover hash and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and slightly crispy on the outside.
For a unique twist, transform your leftover crab hash into a breakfast dish by creating crab hash and eggs. Heat the hash in a skillet, create wells in the mixture, and crack an egg into each well. Cover the skillet and cook until the eggs are set to your desired doneness.
If you have an air fryer, you can use it to reheat your southern crab hash. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C), place the hash in the basket, and cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until heated through and slightly crispy on the outside.
Fascinating Trivia About Southern Crab Hash Recipe
The Southern Crab Hash recipe is a delicious and hearty dish that combines the flavors of lump crabmeat, bacon, and potatoes. It's a popular Southern breakfast or brunch option and is often enjoyed with a side of eggs or biscuits. Crabmeat is a good source of protein and is low in fat, making this dish a nutritious choice. Additionally, the combination of cream cheese, milk, and Worcestershire sauce adds a rich and savory flavor to the hash. This dish is a great way to enjoy the taste of the South and is perfect for anyone who loves seafood and comfort food.
Is Preparing Southern Crab Hash at Home Cost-Effective?
This southern crab hash recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The use of lump crabmeat may increase the overall cost, but the dish offers a delightful and indulgent experience. The combination of potatoes, bacon, and crabmeat creates a rich and satisfying meal. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $30-$35. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 8/10, considering the flavors, textures, and the overall dining experience it provides.
Is Southern Crab Hash Healthy or Unhealthy?
The southern crab hash recipe, while undeniably delicious, does have some elements that may not be considered entirely healthy:
- The use of bacon and its fat adds saturated fat and sodium to the dish
- Cream cheese and milk contribute additional saturated fat and calories
- Potatoes, while nutritious, are relatively high in carbohydrates
- The recipe lacks a significant amount of vegetables, which are essential for a balanced meal
However, the inclusion of lump crabmeat provides a good source of lean protein, and the use of chives adds a small amount of vitamins and minerals.
To make this recipe healthier without sacrificing taste, consider the following modifications:
- Replace the bacon with a leaner protein source, such as turkey bacon or smoked turkey breast
- Use low-fat cream cheese and milk to reduce the saturated fat content
- Incorporate more vegetables into the hash, such as:
- Diced bell peppers
- Chopped spinach or kale
- Grated zucchini or carrots
- Reduce the amount of potatoes and replace some with cauliflower or sweet potatoes for a lower-carb option
- Use a combination of olive oil and cooking spray instead of the reserved bacon fat to decrease the saturated fat content
- Experiment with additional herbs and spices, like paprika or thyme, to enhance the flavor without relying on salt
By making these adjustments, you can create a more balanced and nutritious version of the southern crab hash while still enjoying its comforting flavors.
Editor's Opinion: Thoughts on the Delightful Southern Crab Hash
The Southern Crab Hash recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The combination of tender potatoes, savory bacon, and sweet lump crabmeat creates a harmonious dish. The creamy and slightly tangy sauce with cream cheese and Worcestershire sauce adds richness and depth to the hash. The dish is beautifully finished with a sprinkle of fresh chives, adding a pop of color and a hint of freshness. Overall, this recipe offers a wonderful balance of Southern comfort and gourmet elegance, making it a delightful addition to any brunch or special occasion.
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Why trust this Southern Crab Hash Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, with the succulent lump crabmeat as the star ingredient. The use of bacon adds a rich and smoky undertone, while the creamy cream cheese and milk create a luscious base. The addition of Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of cayenne provides depth and a hint of heat, enhancing the overall taste. The incorporation of fresh chives adds a burst of freshness to the dish. Trust in the expertise behind this recipe to deliver a memorable and satisfying dining experience.
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