Steaming Blue Crab: A Beginner's Guide To Cooking Perfection

Steaming blue crabs is a social event and a great way to enjoy the bounty of the Chesapeake. It is an experience of primal delicious flavours that everyone should sample at least once. The best crabs are fresh, male, and feisty. You'll need a large pot, a rack, and a lot of Old Bay seasoning. The crabs should be steamed for 15-30 minutes, depending on their size, until they turn bright red. Serve with melted butter for dipping and plenty of ice-cold beer.

Prepare your ingredients and equipment

To steam blue crabs, you will need a few key ingredients and some special equipment.

First, the crabs. It is recommended to buy more crabs than you think you need, and to use male crabs only. You will need a dozen crabs for four servings, or six people. The crabs should be medium or larger, and preferably #1 or #2 male crabs, which are filled with meat.

Next, you will need a generous amount of seasoning. The most popular choice is Old Bay, a classic seafood seasoning. You will need half a cup of seasoning for a dozen crabs, but it's always good to have extra. Some people also recommend kosher salt, celery seed, dry mustard, paprika, and black pepper.

For the steaming liquid, you will need a bottle of beer and some vinegar. A light beer is recommended, and you can use distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Now for the equipment. You will need a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. If you don't have a crab pot, you can use a large stockpot or pasta boiler. You will also need something to keep the crabs above the boiling liquid, such as a steamer basket, a colander, or some clean, empty metal cans. A few wooden mallets are also useful for cracking the crab shells, and some people like to use picks or thin pokers to get at the hard-to-reach meat.

Finally, for serving, you will need some old newspaper to cover the table, and perhaps some melted butter for dipping.

Layer the crabs and seasoning

To layer the crabs and seasoning, start by arranging the crabs in a single layer in the steamer pot or on a rack in the pot. You can use a screen or a colander placed in the pot to keep the crabs above the boiling liquid. If you don't have a steamer pot, you can use a large stockpot or pasta boiler.

Once you have the first layer of crabs, sprinkle a generous amount of seasoning over them. You can use store-bought seafood seasoning like Old Bay, or make your own blend with kosher salt, celery seed or celery salt, dry mustard, paprika, and black pepper. Repeat this process, layering the crabs and seasoning, until all the crabs are in the pot.

For a more intense flavour, you can also sprinkle the crabs with more seasoning before serving.

Steam the crabs

To steam blue crabs, you will need a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. If you don't have a crab pot, you can use a large stockpot or pasta boiler. You will also need some empty metal cans or a colander to create a rack at the bottom of the pot, ensuring the crabs are not submerged in the boiling liquid.

Step 1: Prepare the Pot

Place the cans or colander at the bottom of the pot, creating a rack that will keep the crabs elevated, about 2 inches above the bottom. Add a mixture of beer, vinegar, and water to the pot. You can also add seafood seasoning or salt to the liquid for extra flavour. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat.

Step 2: Prepare the Crabs

Before cooking, carefully place each crab upside down and stick a knife through the shell, just behind the mouth. This will help prepare the crabs for cooking and ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Steam the Crabs

Place a screen or steamer basket over the simmering liquid in the pot. Layer the crabs on the screen or in the basket, making sure they are in a single layer. Sprinkle each layer of crabs with a generous amount of seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay. Repeat this process until all your crabs are in the pot. Cover the pot tightly and steam the crabs over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

Step 5: Serve

Once the crabs are cooked, carefully remove the steamer basket or screen from the pot and pour the crabs onto a serving platter or table covered with newspaper. Serve the crabs with wooden mallets and picks, along with melted butter for dipping. Enjoy your freshly steamed blue crabs!

Check the crabs are cooked

Checking if your crabs are cooked is easy. The first thing to look out for is the colour. A crab that is cooked will have a shell that is white and pink or reddish in colour. An uncooked crab will have a greenish-brown shell.

You can also check the internal temperature of the crab with a meat thermometer. If the internal temperature is below 145°F / 63°C, then the crab is not fully cooked.

A cooked crab will also have firm and moist inner meat that tastes fresh and lightly sweet. An overcooked crab will have pink shells and mushy, fishy flesh, while an undercooked crab will have dark shells and gelatinous meat.

Serve the crabs

Once your crabs are steamed to perfection, it's time to serve them up! Here are some tips and suggestions to make your crab feast a memorable one:

Set the Scene

Spread newspaper over your table—it's a classic way to serve crabs, and it makes for easy clean-up. If you want to get extra fancy, you can also cover the table with a layer of brown paper. Set out a boatload of paper towels, as things are about to get messy. Provide each guest with a wooden mallet and crab pick, and maybe even a plastic bib to protect their clothes from flying bits of shell and crab juice.

Sides and Sauces

Steamed crabs are often served as a standalone meal, but you can also offer some simple sides and sauces to enhance the experience. Here are some ideas:

• Melted butter for dipping
• Corn on the cob
• Crispy french fries
• Hush puppies
• Lemon wedges

The Social Aspect

Steaming crabs is a social event, a celebration that brings family and friends together. It's an experience of primal delicious flavors that everyone should sample at least once. So, gather your loved ones, pour a cold beer, and enjoy the bounty of the Chesapeake!

Leftovers

If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, don't let them go to waste. Pick the crab meat and use it to make delicious crab cakes, crab bisque, or even omelets. Your hard work will be rewarded with a tasty treat!

Frequently asked questions