Curry Crab with Dumplings and Coconut Milk

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

A rich Trinidadian-style crab curry simmered in fragrant spices and creamy coconut milk, served with soft boiled dumplings. This Caribbean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs fresh whole blue crabs, curry powder, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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, cleaned and quartered fresh whole blue crabs
• 3 tbsp curry powder
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large, chopped onion
• 5, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, grated ginger
• 1, seeded and chopped scotch bonnet pepper
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• about 3/4 cup water (for dumplings)

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped onion, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1 chopped scotch bonnet pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and onions soften.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 tbsp curry powder and cook for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
3. Step 3: Add 2 lbs quartered fresh blue crabs, tossing to coat with the curry mixture, then pour in 1 cup coconut milk and 2 cups water. Season with 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until crabs are cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare dumplings by mixing 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and about 3/4 cup water to form a soft dough. Roll into 1-inch balls.
6. Step 6: Drop dumplings into simmering curry sauce and cook uncovered for 15 minutes until dumplings are fluffy and cooked inside.
7. Step 7: Serve hot with the crab curry and dumplings together.