Steamed Blue Crabs

7 Reviews

Prep: 40 min
Cook: 20 min
Ready In: 1 hr

“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.” - by Steve A

Ingredients

36 live blue crabs
1/2 cup seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)
1/2 cup salt
3 cups beer
3 cups distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)

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Metric US

Original recipe yields 6 servings

Directions

Right before cooking, carefully place each crab upside down and stick a knife through the shell, just behind mouth.
Combine 1/2 cup seafood seasoning, salt, beer, and vinegar in a large stockpot over high heat. Bring to a strong simmer.
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

Amount Per Serving (6 total)

Calories
183 cal
9%

Fat
2.5 g
4%

Carbs
8.3 g
3%

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

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Reviews (7)

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Jan

Jun. 1, 2009

"Go Steve! This is a true Maryland Blue Crab recipe! In fact, I just cooked up a 1/2 bushel of Chincoteague Bay crabs with the same ingredients, except the salt, since these crabs are raised in the sal..." See moretier Atlantic Ocean water then the Chesapeake blue crab. Do what he said, then put out some cider vinegar and Bay Seasoning for dipping and you have a real Maryland crab feast. Oh yeah, beer is traditional with it too!"

Wyattdogster

Oct. 14, 2010

"This is the best method for blue crabs and is how my family has always cooked them. I don't add the salt, doesn't seem important. Make sure to serve with individual bowls of melted butter for dipping!..." See more"

AZ

Jul. 7, 2009

"As a true Marylander I can say that this is the best way to eat crabs! Steaming crabs really makes for a superior crab meat (as opposed to boiling them). I like a little less vinegar in my beer mix, a..." See morend a little less salt. This made for a perfect Eastern Shore 4th of July with some silver queen corn, watermelon, beans and tomatoes!"

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