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READY IN 1 hr

Steamed Blue Crabs

Read Reviews (7)

"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." — Steve A

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Types of Salt

Original recipe makes 6 servings Change Servings

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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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.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 40 mins
COOK 20 mins
READY IN 1 hr

Footnotes

Editor's Note
The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of salt used in the boiling liquid. The actual amount of salt consumed will vary.

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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 saltier 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!

—Jan

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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!

—Wyattdogster

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8 Ratings

Jul 07, 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, and a little less salt. This made for a perfect Eastern Shore 4th of July with some silver queen corn, watermelon, beans and tomatoes!

—AZ

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Apr 26, 2010

**DISCLAIMER**You must like old bay to like this recipe. I do love the use of beer, it tastes so rich and infuses so much flavor into the crabs. I have also steamed crabs with beer, garlic, and a sprinkling of old bay which was a huge crowd pleaser.

—KissTheChefette

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Sep 23, 2011

Right on time.!! Skipped the salt due to the crabs being from the gulf and the dead of summer. I added a little Zatarians shrimp and crab boil to the pot with the Old bay, also added a couple of smashed cloves of garlic and a little lemon juice. Every one really enjoyed them, Must have as there was none left.

—woodman

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Sep 08, 2009

Awesome recipe-I used it to steam Tilapia instead and it came out wonderful. I cut the recipe down to 1/3 of all of the ingredients listed because I only had a 1/2lb. of fish. I steamed for 8 minutes and the fish was moist, but flaky. This is a good alternative cooking method for fish that would otherwise disintegrate on a grill.

—AJ

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Aug 19, 2011

Easy and delish! Went to a fresh seafood market while at Myrtle Beach and impressed my husband!

—endofthetraillodge

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Nutrition

Calories
183 kcal
9%

Carbohydrates
8.3 g
3%

Cholesterol
98 mg
33%

Fat
2.5 g
4%

Fiber
3 g
12%

Protein
21.5 g
43%

Sodium
12850 mg
514%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Steamed Blue Crabs

Serving Size: 1/6 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 183
Calories from Fat: 23

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2.5g 4 %
Saturated Fat 0.3g 1 %
Cholesterol 98mg 33 %
Sodium 12850mg 514 %
** Potassium 454mg 13 %
Total Carbohydrates 8.3g 3 %
Dietary Fiber 3g 12 %
Protein 21.5g 43 %
Sugars 0.3g
** Vitamin A < 1 %
** Vitamin C 5 %
** Calcium 14 %
** Iron 10 %
** Thiamin 11 %
** Niacin 65 %
** Vitamin B6 15 %
** Magnesium 14 %
** Folate 32 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.