Curried Crab and Dumplings Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-31 · Updated 2026-05-31

A hearty Trinidadian stew combining tender crab meat with spiced curry sauce and soft dumplings for a comforting Caribbean meal. This Caribbean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs whole fresh crab, cleaned and chopped, vegetable oil, yellow curry powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs whole fresh crab, cleaned and chopped
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp yellow curry powder
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup cold water (for dumplings)

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 scotch bonnet pepper seeded and chopped; sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp yellow curry powder and 2 sprigs fresh thyme, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 2 lbs cleaned and chopped crab pieces, stirring to coat with the curry mixture. Pour in 1 cup coconut milk and 2 cups water, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until crab is tender and flavors meld.
4. Step 4: While the stew simmers, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Gradually add 3/4 cup cold water, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Step 5: Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll into 1-inch balls. Drop dumplings into the simmering stew and cook for 15 minutes until dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.
6. Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs, season stew with salt to taste, and serve hot, enjoying the rich curried crab with tender dumplings.