Cooking Blue Crabs: Steamer-Free Methods And Tricks

Blue crabs are a delicacy native to the Chesapeake Bay coastline in Maryland. Steaming crabs is a social event, a celebration of family and friends, where everyone gets a little messy and has a lot of fun. If you don't have a crab steamer, you can use a large stockpot or pasta boiler. You'll need to set up a rack or some empty cans at the bottom of the pot to keep the crabs above the boiling liquid. The crabs are then layered on the rack and seasoned generously with Old Bay or a similar spice mix. They are steamed for 20-30 minutes until they turn bright red.

Use a stockpot or pasta boiler

If you don't have a crab steamer, you can use the largest stockpot or pasta boiler you have. You'll need to create a rack to keep the crabs above the boiling liquid. To do this, place a few clean, empty metal cans upside down on the bottom of the pot, or invert a colander inside.

Once you've set up your pot, you'll want to combine beer, vinegar, and water in the pot and bring it to a boil. You can also add a generous amount of seasoning to the liquid, such as Old Bay, or a mixture of kosher salt, celery seed, dry mustard, paprika, and black pepper.

When the liquid is boiling, carefully place your crabs into the pot. It's best to put them in upside down and stick a knife through the shell just behind the mouth. Layer the crabs on the rack you've created, sprinkling each layer with seasoning. Cover the pot and steam the crabs for 20-30 minutes, or until they turn bright red.

Add vinegar, beer, and seasoning

When cooking blue crabs without a steamer, you can add vinegar, beer, and seasoning to enhance the flavour and texture of the crabs. Here's a detailed guide:

Prepare the Pot

Firstly, you'll need a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. If you don't have a steamer insert, you can create a makeshift rack by placing clean, empty metal cans upside down at the bottom of the pot or by inverting a colander. This setup will ensure that the crabs are above the boiling liquid and not swimming in it.

Add the Liquid

For the liquid, you'll combine beer, vinegar, and sometimes water. The ratio of beer to vinegar varies, with some suggesting equal parts, while others recommend a cup of vinegar to three cups of beer. You can also add a tablespoon of kosher salt to enhance the flavour. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat.

Layer the Crabs and Seasoning

Once the liquid is boiling, it's time to add the crabs. Place a layer of crabs on the rack in the pot and be careful as they might put up a fight! Sprinkle each layer generously with your chosen seasoning. You can use store-bought seasonings like Old Bay or make your own blend with ingredients like celery seed, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, celery salt, dry mustard, paprika, and black pepper. Repeat this process, layering the crabs and seasoning, until you've added all the crabs to the pot.

Steam the Crabs

Cover the pot and let the crabs steam until they are cooked through. The cooking time can vary depending on the size of your crabs and the number of crabs in the pot. For smaller crabs, it might take around 8 minutes, while larger crabs could take up to 12 minutes or more. The crabs are done when they turn a bright red colour.

Serve and Enjoy

Once the crabs are steamed to perfection, carefully remove them from the pot using tongs. Serve them over newspaper, providing wooden mallets and picks for your guests to crack open and enjoy the delicious crab meat. Don't forget to serve some extra seasoning, melted butter, corn on the cob, and, of course, ice-cold beer to complete the feast!

Layer crabs and sprinkle with seasoning

When cooking blue crabs, it's important to layer them and sprinkle each layer with seasoning. This ensures that each crab is well-seasoned and allows you to fit more crabs in the pot. Here's a step-by-step guide to this part of the process:

First, you'll need to prepare your crabs. Make sure you have a dozen live blue crabs, preferably male, as they are generally meatier. Give them a quick rinse and set them aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

For the seasoning, you'll want to use a generous amount of your chosen blend. Old Bay is a popular choice and is considered a classic for blue crabs. You can also make your own blend by mixing kosher salt, celery seed or celery salt, dry mustard, paprika, and black pepper. Have about half a cup of seasoning ready for sprinkling.

Now, let's set up the cooking vessel. You'll need a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. If you don't have a steamer rack, you can create a makeshift rack by placing clean, empty metal cans upside down on the bottom of the pot or inverting a colander. This will allow you to have a boiling liquid at the bottom while keeping the crabs above it.

Add your chosen boiling liquid to the pot. A combination of beer, vinegar, and water is a popular choice. You can also add some garlic or other seasonings to the liquid for extra flavour. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat.

Once your liquid is boiling, it's time to layer your crabs. Place a layer of crabs on the rack in your pot. Sprinkle this layer generously with seasoning. Repeat this process, adding another layer of crabs and more seasoning, until all your crabs are in the pot. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your pot.

Finally, cover the pot tightly and steam the crabs over medium-high heat. Check the crabs after about 15-20 minutes to see if they're done. They should turn a bright red colour when cooked through.

Now you know how to layer and season your crabs for a delicious, well-flavoured dish. Enjoy your homemade blue crabs!

Cover and steam for 20-30 minutes

Once you've got your crabs, beer, vinegar, water, and seasoning ready to go, it's time to start steaming! Place a single layer of crabs in your steaming pot and sprinkle them with a thick coating of seasoning. You can use a mixture of kosher salt, celery seed, dry mustard, paprika, and black pepper, or go for the classic Old Bay seasoning. Repeat this process, layering crabs and seasoning, until all your crabs are in the pot. Make sure the lid fits tightly, then it's time to start steaming!

Steaming crabs is a social event, so grab a beer and enjoy the process! Place the pot over boiling water and cover it with a tight-fitting lid. The crabs will need to steam for 20-30 minutes, depending on their size and how many you've packed into the pot. The crabs are done when they turn a bright red colour, so keep an eye on them and check their colour after about 15 minutes. When they're ready, carefully remove the steamer pot from the boiling water and pour out the crabs. Now you're ready to start picking and enjoying!

It's important to note that the crabs should be alive and kicking before you start the steaming process, so make sure to remove any dead crabs from the batch first. This ensures that you're getting the freshest crabs possible, which is key to a delicious final product.

Some people prefer to stick a knife through the shell of each crab, just behind the mouth, before steaming. This step is optional but can help ensure even cooking.

Serve with melted butter

Blue crabs are a delicacy native to the Chesapeake Bay coastline in Maryland. Steaming crabs is a social event, often accompanied by beer and a range of side dishes. Here is a guide on how to cook and serve blue crabs without a steamer, along with some tips on serving them with melted butter:

Cooking Blue Crabs without a Steamer:

If you don't have a crab steamer, you can use a large stockpot or pasta boiler. Place a few clean, empty metal cans upside down at the bottom or invert a colander to create a rack for the crabs to sit on. This setup will ensure that the crabs are above the boiling liquid and not swimming in it.

For the liquid, you can use a combination of beer, vinegar, and water. Bring this mixture to a boil in your pot. You can also add seasonings like Old Bay, garlic, or other spices to the liquid for extra flavour.

Once the liquid is boiling, carefully place your live blue crabs into the pot. It is recommended to use only male crabs, as they are easier to pick and are typically larger. Layer the crabs in the pot, sprinkling each layer generously with your chosen seasoning. Cover the pot and steam the crabs for 15-30 minutes, depending on their size and the number of crabs in the pot. The crabs will be cooked when they turn a bright red colour.

Serving with Melted Butter:

When serving blue crabs, it is customary to spread out newspaper on a sturdy table and provide a range of condiments and side dishes. Melted butter is a classic accompaniment to blue crabs and can be served in a variety of ways:

• Dipping Sauce: Provide small bowls of melted butter for guests to dip their crab meat into. This can be plain butter or enhanced with additional flavours such as garlic, lemon, or Old Bay seasoning.
• Topping: Drizzle melted butter over the cooked crabs before serving. This adds moisture and extra flavour to the dish.
• Side Dish Enhancement: If you're serving side dishes like corn on the cob or crispy french fries, melted butter can be a delicious addition. For example, serve the corn with a pat of melted butter, or provide a bowl of melted butter for dipping the fries.
• Customisation: Offering melted butter as a condiment allows your guests to customise their crabs. They can choose to dip their crab meat into the butter or drizzle it over their crabs as they pick them apart.

Remember to provide plenty of napkins or paper towels, as eating blue crabs can be a messy affair! Enjoy the sweet, tender meat of the crabs along with the social experience of picking and enjoying them with friends and family.

Frequently asked questions