Steaming Maryland Crabs: A Beginner's Guide To Perfection

Maryland steamed crabs are a social event, often accompanied by beer or tea, and side dishes such as corn on the cob, crab soup, hot dogs, and hamburgers. The crabs are typically steamed with a mixture of water, beer, and vinegar, and seasoned with Old Bay or a similar spice mix. The cooking process involves layering the crabs in a pot with a raised rack, ensuring they don't touch the liquid, and steaming them for around 15 to 20 minutes. The crabs are considered done when their shells turn a deep red color and their undersides can be easily removed. Maryland steamed crabs are a delicious and social culinary experience, often enjoyed with friends and family.

How to prepare crabs for steaming

Preparing crabs for steaming is a crucial step in the Maryland steamed crab recipe. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare crabs for steaming:

Selecting the Crabs:

Choose live blue crabs, preferably male crabs, for steaming. Male crabs, also known as "jimmies," tend to be larger and provide bigger chunks of meat. Additionally, consider sustainability by opting for male crabs as female crabs contain roe, which is important for maintaining the crab population.

Cleaning the Crabs:

Rinse the crabs with cold water to clean them. Use a brush to scrub the body if the surface is dirty. This step ensures the crabs are free from any dirt or impurities before cooking.

Killing the Crabs:

Before steaming, it is recommended to kill the crabs humanely. You can do this by inserting a sharp object, such as a knife or chopstick, into the middle of the crab's back. This step is optional, but some people prefer to kill the crabs before cooking.

Preparing the Steamer:

Use a large pot with a raised rack or steamer basket. The rack should be high enough to keep the crabs above the level of the liquid. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can create a makeshift rack by wadding up aluminium foil into ropes and placing it in the pot.

Adding Liquid:

In the pot, combine equal parts water and cider vinegar, or use beer instead of water for added flavour. The traditional mixture of beer and vinegar enhances the taste. The liquid level should be just below the rack, about one inch deep.

Layering the Crabs:

Carefully place the crabs into the pot, making sure to grab them from behind to avoid their claws. Layer the crabs in the pot, and between each layer, sprinkle a generous amount of crab boil seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning. This ensures that the crabs are coated with the seasoning.

Covering and Steaming:

Cover the pot with a lid and place it over high heat. The total cooking time will depend on the number of crabs and their size, but it typically ranges from 15 to 20 minutes. The crabs are done when their shells turn a deep red colour and their undersides, known as "aprons," come off easily.

Once the crabs are steamed to perfection, they are ready to be served and enjoyed! Remember to provide crab mallets or hammers for cracking open the shells and enjoy the social experience of picking and savouring the delicious meat from the crabs.

The best spices and seasonings to use

Maryland steamed crabs are seasoned with a crab boil seasoning, typically Old Bay. Old Bay is a seasoning mixture loaded with chilli powder, paprika, celery salt, salt, and a long list of other secret spices and seasonings. It is essential to creating the proper Maryland crab-boil flavour.

For each pot of crabs, you will need two 12-ounce cans of beer, one 8-ounce packet of crab boil seasoning, and two sticks of melted butter (optional). Cover the bottom of the pot with about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of liquid—a combination of beer and vinegar, or just water. The liquid should not rise above the bottom of the steamer basket; you don't want the crabs to get wet.

Add the crabs in layers, sprinkling each layer with the crab boil seasoning. The amount of seasoning depends on taste; those who like spicy foods should make sure the crabs are thoroughly covered. Continue, alternating crabs and seasoning until the pot is nearly full, leaving about an inch at the top. Cover tightly and steam over high heat for 14 to 20 minutes, or until the shells are bright orange.

For an even more sustainable approach, ask your fishmonger for male crabs, as many female crabs contain roe that could otherwise help maintain the crab population.

How long to steam crabs for

When steaming Maryland crabs, the cooking time depends on the size of the crabs and the number of crabs being cooked. For larger crabs, steam for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the crab shells turn completely orange. For smaller crabs, steam for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the shells are bright orange. If you are cooking more than one layer of crabs, add two minutes of cooking time for each additional layer. Check the pot after about 15 minutes to avoid overcooking. The crabs are done when their aprons begin to pop away from their bodies.

How to tell when crabs are cooked

Marylanders sure know how to throw a crab party! But how do you know when the crabs are cooked? Well, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for. Firstly, the crabs should be a deep red colour all over with no trace of blue remaining. Secondly, the shells should be bright orange with no blue or green on the shell, crab claws and legs. You can also check the undersides of the crabs—they are done when their aprons begin to pop away from the body of the crab, or when the aprons on their undersides come up easily. If you see the aprons lifting off, that's a sign they are cooked.

The cooking time will vary depending on the number of crabs you are preparing and their size, but generally, they will take between 15 to 20 minutes to steam. However, it's important to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking—check the pot after about 15 minutes. If you are cooking a large batch of crabs, you may need to cook them in shifts to ensure even cooking.

Now that you know how to tell when crabs are cooked, you can impress your friends with your crab-cooking expertise at your next Maryland-style crab feast!

What to serve with steamed crabs

Maryland steamed crabs are a social event, and there are several side dishes that can be served alongside them. Here are some ideas:

Vegetables

Crabs go well with vegetables, especially broccoli, asparagus, carrots, brussels sprouts, and corn. You can serve them raw, grilled, boiled, steamed, or roasted.

Salads

A side salad is a simple yet effective pairing with crabs, adding a nutritious and refreshing element to the meal. A mandarin orange salad is a nice combination of crunchy, refreshing, and slightly sweet.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a versatile option that can be baked, mashed, or fried. They are a quick and easy side dish that complements crabs well.

French Fries

French fries are a convenient handheld option that can be seasoned to enhance the flavour of the crabs.

Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is a refreshing option that adds to the hands-on eating experience of steamed crabs. It can be grilled, steamed, boiled, or even microwaved.

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a unique side dish that goes well with finger foods like crabs. They can be prepared with various seasonings and sauces, making them a versatile option for events and parties.

Other Options

Other side dishes that can be served with steamed crabs include mashed potatoes, coleslaw, potato salad, bean salad, grilled dishes, watermelon, pasta salad, and garlic bread.

Frequently asked questions