Craving a taste of the Chesapeake Bay? Look no further than steamed blue crabs Maryland-style. This iconic dish is a staple of Maryland's culinary heritage and a favorite among seafood lovers worldwide. With its succulent meat, delicate flavor, and vibrant colors, steamed blue crabs offer a unique and unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a seasoned crab enthusiast or a novice looking to try something new, this guide will take you through the steps of preparing and cooking blue crabs Maryland-style, ensuring you savor every bite of this delightful delicacy.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
STEAMED BLUE CRABS
Atlantic Ocean Blue Crabs, steamed over a boil of Old Bay® seasoning and beer. Show your friends you have that certain craboir faire with this one.
Provided by Steve A
Categories Main Dish Recipes Seafood Main Dish Recipes Crab
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine 1/2 cup seafood seasoning, salt, beer, and vinegar in a large stockpot over high heat. Bring to a strong simmer.
- Right before cooking, carefully place each crab upside down and stick a knife through the shell, just behind mouth.
- Fit a screen over the beer mixture and layer the crabs on the screen. Be sure that the crabs are above the simmering liquid. Cover.
- Steam crabs until they turn bright orange and all of the blue/green color is gone, 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup seafood seasoning before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 183.3 calories, Carbohydrate 8.3 g, Cholesterol 98.3 mg, Fat 2.5 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 21.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 3548.2 mg, Sugar 0.3 g
BLUE CRABS STEAMED MARYLAND STYLE
Make and share this Blue Crabs Steamed Maryland Style recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Chef Dude
Categories Crab
Time 2h30m
Yield 80-100 Crabs, 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Also need 1 Large Pot with a raised rack at least 2-4 inches.
- Over high heat in a large crab pot with a raised rack bring equal ammounts of Cider Vinegar and water or beer to a boil.
- (The total ammount should be just below the raised rack about 2-3 cups of each Vinegar and water or Beer.) Mix equal ammounts of"Old Bay" seasoning and"Kosher" Salt (About 2 cups of each to start) Add 4-6 LIVE JUMBO male crabs for each layer and add the combined "seasoning" on top of the crabs.
- Continue with Crabs and a layer of seasoning until at least 12- 14 crabs are in the pot, cover and steam 25- 30 minutes.
- with the lid on!
- (Chop off anyones hand that tries to lift the lid too soon!) When done use tongs to lift out steamed crabs to a table covered with newspapers or brown paper.
- Repeat until all Crabs are Steamed, changing the vinegar and water and adding new "seasoning" to each new batch.
- Serve at once with extra "seasoning" and "crab mallets" to break open claws.
- Or store in brown paper bags in the fridge until needed 4-5 days (NO LONGER!!!).
STEAMED MARYLAND BLUE CRABS FOR 14
Steps:
- Cover tables, preferably outdoors, with brown packaging paper and tape. For each pot of crabs, add water, beer, and approximately 1/4 packet of crab boil seasoning to pot. Bring to boil. With gloves on, remove crabs from bushel, you may have to pull them apart (carefully!) and put/shake a few at a time into pot. It is best to grab them from behind to avoid the claws, as their legs only move forward. Add enough crabs to fill bottom of pot. Sprinkle more crab boil seasoning over first layer of crabs. Continue, alternating crabs and seasoning until pot is nearly full, leaving about an inch at the top. Cover tightly. Steam over high heat for 14 to 16 minutes, or until shells are bright orange. Halfway through cooking time, shake pot to redistribute seasoning. When done, remove pot from heat. Drain over sink the accumulated liquid from pot. Spread crabs onto large tray; place in center of table where guests help themselves. Serve with small dishes of melted butter and, for those who like added seasoning, place small bowls of extra crab boil seasoning on table.
- Eating guidelines: It is easier to learn how to eat crabs from an expert, but if none is available, here are step-by-step instructions. First, pull off claws and legs. Break legs and check for meat. Sucking is okay. Some like to save the claws for last because they are rather dessert-like, although the "lump" meat from the body is prized most. Next, turn the crab on its back. You will see an elongated part of the shell that looks like a "T." Some call it the key, even though it doesn't look very much like one. The female key is plumper; the male's is more elongated. Pull the key back, breaking it off, which makes the rest of the shell easy to remove. Now the body of the crab is shell-less. You will now see the long rib-like strips on either side of the cavity. These are the crab's gills. Edible, but not very good. Pull them off, and you will more easily be able to break the crab in half. When you do this, you will most likely now see a good amount of white, fleshy "lump" crab meat. Continue opening the small sections to expose more meat. You will not need mallets or hammers for this. When you are ready for the claws, break them in half at the joint. Take a wooden mallet and whack the large half hard. Don't be shy.
- Other helpful hints: Don't wear your Sunday best. If it tastes good, you can eat it. Plates and cutlery are unnecessary; the brown paper is a communal plate. Bibs are for babies. When finished, steamed hand towels are very welcome. The easiest way to dispose of the mess is to roll up the brown paper with all the shells, etc. on it -- taking care to "rescue" knives, bowls, etc. first -- and discard in outdoor trash can. The garbage may attract animals, so be sure to keep the lid on tight. Note: Leftover crabs are excellent cold, served with a mayonnaise based dipping sauce. Cooked crabs will keep in refrigerator for a few days.
STEAMED MARYLAND BLUE CRABS
Provided by Food Network
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- In a large hotel steaming pan, add water and bring to a boil. Add crabs in one layer. Cover crabs with the seasoning, about 1/4-inch thick. Let steam for 20 minutes.
STEAMED MARYLAND BLUE CRABS FOR 14
Steps:
- Cover tables, preferably outdoors, with brown packaging paper and tape. For each pot of crabs, add water, beer, and approximately 1/4 packet of crab boil seasoning to pot. Bring to boil. With gloves on, remove crabs from bushel, you may have to pull them apart (carefully!) and put/shake a few at a time into pot. It is best to grab them from behind to avoid the claws, as their legs only move forward. Add enough crabs to fill bottom of pot. Sprinkle more crab boil seasoning over first layer of crabs. Continue, alternating crabs and seasoning until pot is nearly full, leaving about an inch at the top. Cover tightly. Steam over high heat for 14 to 16 minutes, or until shells are bright orange. Halfway through cooking time, shake pot to redistribute seasoning. When done, remove pot from heat. Drain over sink the accumulated liquid from pot. Spread crabs onto large tray; place in center of table where guests help themselves. Serve with small dishes of melted butter and, for those who like added seasoning, place small bowls of extra crab boil seasoning on table.
- Eating guidelines: It is easier to learn how to eat crabs from an expert, but if none is available, here are step-by-step instructions. First, pull off claws and legs. Break legs and check for meat. Sucking is okay. Some like to save the claws for last because they are rather dessert-like, although the "lump" meat from the body is prized most. Next, turn the crab on its back. You will see an elongated part of the shell that looks like a "T." Some call it the key, even though it doesn't look very much like one. The female key is plumper; the male's is more elongated. Pull the key back, breaking it off, which makes the rest of the shell easy to remove. Now the body of the crab is shell-less. You will now see the long rib-like strips on either side of the cavity. These are the crab's gills. Edible, but not very good. Pull them off, and you will more easily be able to break the crab in half. When you do this, you will most likely now see a good amount of white, fleshy "lump" crab meat. Continue opening the small sections to expose more meat. You will not need mallets or hammers for this. When you are ready for the claws, break them in half at the joint. Take a wooden mallet and whack the large half hard. Don't be shy.
STEAMED MARYLAND BLUE CRABS FOR 14
Steps:
- Eating guidelines: It is easier to learn how to eat crabs from an expert, but if none is available, here are step-by-step instructions. First, pull off claws and legs. Break legs and check for meat. Sucking is okay. Some like to save the claws for last because they are rather dessert-like, although the "lump" meat from the body is prized most. Next, turn the crab on its back. You will see an elongated part of the shell that looks like a "T." Some call it the key, even though it doesn't look very much like one. The female key is plumper; the male's is more elongated. Pull the key back, breaking it off, which makes the rest of the shell easy to remove. Now the body of the crab is shell-less. You will now see the long rib-like strips on either side of the cavity. These are the crab's gills. Edible, but not very good. Pull them off, and you will more easily be able to break the crab in half. When you do this, you will most likely now see a good amount of white, fleshy "lump" crab meat. Continue opening the small sections to expose more meat. You will not need mallets or hammers for this. When you are ready for the claws, break them in half at the joint. Take a wooden mallet and whack the large half hard. Don't be shy. Other helpful hints: Don't wear your Sunday best. If it tastes good, you can eat it. Plates and cutlery are unnecessary; the brown paper is a communal plate. Bibs are for babies. When finished, steamed hand towels are very welcome. The easiest way to dispose of the mess is to roll up the brown paper with all the shells, etc. on it -- taking care to "rescue" knives, bowls, etc. first -- and discard in outdoor trash can. The garbage may attract animals, so be sure to keep the lid on tight. Note: Leftover crabs are excellent cold, served with a mayonnaise based dipping sauce. Cooked crabs will keep in refrigerator for a few days.
- Cover tables, preferably outdoors, with brown packaging paper and tape. For each pot of crabs, add water, beer, and approximately 1/4 packet of crab boil seasoning to pot. Bring to boil. With gloves on, remove crabs from bushel, you may have to pull them apart (carefully!) and put/shake a few at a time into pot. It is best to grab them from behind to avoid the claws, as their legs only move forward. Add enough crabs to fill bottom of pot. Sprinkle more crab boil seasoning over first layer of crabs. Continue, alternating crabs and seasoning until pot is nearly full, leaving about an inch at the top. Cover tightly. Steam over high heat for 14 to 16 minutes, or until shells are bright orange. Halfway through cooking time, shake pot to redistribute seasoning. When done, remove pot from heat. Drain over sink the accumulated liquid from pot. Spread crabs onto large tray; place in center of table where guests help themselves. Serve with small dishes of melted butter and, for those who like added seasoning, place small bowls of extra crab boil seasoning on table.
MARYLAND STEAMED CRABS RECIPE - (4.7/5)
Provided by Lsweetnell
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- For Steaming The Crabs: You will need a large pot with a raised rack to keep the crabs out of the water mixture. I have been known to use wadded-up foil. Add the water and/or Beer and vinegar to the pot and bring to a boil. The depth of the water mixture could vary due to pot size. You may not be able to cook all the crabs at once. While boiling watch the level of water in your pot making sure not to boil dry. If you run low remember its equal parts beer and/or water to vinegar. Carefully layer the crabs in the pot grab from behind. Between each layer of crabs season with the spice mixture you have made. Steam blue crabs for 20 minutes until done If crabs are extremely large maybe longer, but no longer than 30 minutes. Allow to rest until the crabs have cooled some and are safe to crack and enjoy. Ensure you have someone around that knows how to clean a crab and can show you how to do that.
STEAMED BLUE CRABS
Make and share this Steamed Blue Crabs recipe from Food.com.
Provided by mikeymadi
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 40m
Yield 12 crabs, 2-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Get a dozen or so live and kickin Blue Crabs a large heavy seafood steaming pot (at least 4" larger than the crabs piled inside) turn on stove or outdoor burner to high (preferably an outdoor gas burner made for steaming or frying turkeys) add water and vinegar about 2" high in the bottom of pot,put pot onto burner ,heat until steam comes out of the top,add crabs and seasoning to cover crabs,replace lid on pot,bring back to steaming time about 20-25 minutes after steaming again (you can also put sweet corn in the husk right on top of crabs during last 15 minutes of steaming also throw some seasoning on the corn as well it will be the best sweet corn that you have ever tasted if you like crabs!) after time is up remove crabs from pot onto some newspaper etc. let them cool about ten minutes or so then serve with extra seasoning,crab claw mallets and your favorite beverage(beer seems to be the most popular but I prefer water.Dig In and Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 109.6, Fat 1.4, SaturatedFat 0.3, Cholesterol 98.3, Sodium 369.2, Carbohydrate 0.1, Protein 22.8
Tips for Steaming Blue Crabs Maryland-Style:
- Fresh is best: Use the freshest blue crabs you can find. Live crabs are ideal, but if you can't find live crabs, frozen crabs will work in a pinch.
- Choose the right size: Medium-sized crabs are the best for steaming. They're big enough to have plenty of meat, but not so big that they're tough.
- Prepare the crabs: Before you steam the crabs, you need to clean them. Rinse them under cold water and remove the top shell. Then, remove the gills and the mouthparts. You can also remove the claws if you want to make it easier to eat the crabs.
- Season the crabs: Before you steam the crabs, season them with your favorite seasonings. Old Bay seasoning is a classic choice, but you can also use other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
- Steam the crabs: Place the crabs in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Cover the pot and steam the crabs for 10-15 minutes, or until they are cooked through. You can tell the crabs are cooked when they turn bright red.
Conclusion:
Steaming blue crabs Maryland-style is a delicious and easy way to enjoy this classic seafood dish. By following these tips, you can ensure that your steamed blue crabs are perfectly cooked and full of flavor. So next time you're looking for a seafood feast, give steamed blue crabs Maryland-style a try!
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