steamed crabs

This is the complete guide on everything you need to know about cooking and eating Maryland Steamed Crabs from start to finish.

How To Prepare Maryland Steamed Crabs

Bushel Live Blue Crabs (3-4 Dozen Average Size Crabs)

oz J.O. Crab Seasoning

Light Beers (For Steamer Pot)

Sticks Melted Butter (Condiment)

Bottle Apple Cider Vinegar (Condiment)

Can Old Bay (Condiment)

Bucket Cold Beverages (Optional...not Really, Must Have)

Keep crabs cold on ice until time to steam

Fill Crab pot with beer just below the bottom of the insert. About 6 Beers.

Stack the crabs using tongs in a circular layers, season each layer as you stack until pot is almost full. Leave room for ears of corn and still be able to firmly shut lid.

Steam Crabs for just about 25 Minutes until crabs take on bright orange red color.

Pour  crabs on table or serve on a tray. Enjoy!!!

Learn how to make a Maryland crab feast with my mama&#39;s steamed blue crabs recipe! Fresh Chesapeake blue crabs covered with Old Bay and steamed in beer and vinegar make for a delicious summer meal of tender, juicy seafood.

Steamed Blue Crabs

Live Blue Crabs (ask

(12 oz) bottles light lager or ale beer (National Bohemian preferred)

apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)

water (optional)

Old Bay Seasoning (or J.O. Spice if you can find it)

Rinse the live crabs in a large bowl under cool running water to remove debris and dirt.

Use tongs to carefully place the crabs back into your cooler on ice as you bring your steaming liquid to a boil in the pot.

Clean the Crabs

In a large steam pot with a steamer rack or basket, pour in the beer, apple cider vinegar, and water (if there&#x27;s enough space without the liquids touching the bottom of the steamer rack). Bring it to a boil.

Once the liquid is boiling, use your tongs to start layering the crabs into the pot but don&#39;t pile them on top of each other. Lay them next to each other on the bottom, and once the bottom is covered, season them generously with 1/3 cup of Old Bay Seasoning. Don&#39;t be shy with the Old Bay, use more if you want! You really want those crabs covered in those spices.

Use your tongs to place another layer of crabs on top of the crab layer you just seasoned, and once you have a full layer season those crabs generously with Old Bay as well.

Repeat this process for 3-4 layers, we don&#x27;t want to overcrowd the pot or else the crabs won&#x27;t steam evenly. Work in batches (or with a second pot, just double the amount of liquid needed)

Cover the pot with its lid and steam the blue crabs for about 20-22 minutes, until the shells are bright orange. If you see some mustard or white albumin starting to push out of them before the allotted time, they&#39;re ready to be removed from the pot!

Repeat Steps 2-5 for the rest of the crabs, after removing the batch of steamed crabs from the pot, until all your crabs are steamed and bright orange.

Steam the Crabs

Remove the crabs from the pot and either dump them onto a brown paper or newspaper covered table, or into a paper-covered tray for serving.

Let the crab cool for a couple of minutes until they&#x27;re cool enough to handle but still hot. Eat with wooden mallets, crab crackers, clean fingers (that&#x27;ll get covered in seasoning), and plenty of napkins.

Serve the Steamed Blue Crabs

Thank you for sharing this recipe! I visited the United States Chesapeake Bay years ago with family and still remember the taste. Tried your version last weekend and it was nostalgic and delicious, especially with beer. Thank you. Tanaka Koji, Osaka.

Been living overseas for 10 years and this recipe put me right back to summers in Maryland. I even called my brother to tell him how good it was.

Grew up eating crabs every summer off the back porch with the whole family. This recipe brought tears to my eyes it tastes just like home. Thank you.

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