Live Maryland Blue Crabs

Steaming

Prepare a large two-part steamer pot by placing the boiler pot on the stove or grill and adding to it enough water, vinegar, and flat beer in equal parts to cover the bottom by half an inch. Bring the liquid to a full boil.

Add CrabPlace.com hand-selected live crabs. Layer the crabs in the steamer pot and add seasoning to taste. Cover the steamer and place it on the boiler pot, letting the crabs steam until they're bright red (approx. 20 minutes).

Re-heating

If re-heating already steamed crabs, reduce steam time to 5 minutes and test a crab by cracking a claw. If the meat is hot, the crabs are done. If the meat is not hot, allow the crabs to steam for another 5 minutes and test again.

You can also reheat steamed crabs in the microwave. Place a damp paper towel over them to keep them moist and cook on high for 1 to 2 minutes.

Or warm them in the oven for approximately 10 minutes at 375°F.

Serving Tips

Cover your table with heavy brown paper or newspaper and set out crab mallets, crab knives, plastic beer cups, paper towels, vinegar and melted butter for dipping, and extra seasoning. Dump the hot crabs in the middle. Be sure to grab one before they are gone!

There is no appreciable loss of quality from reheating, but keep in mind that the crabs have already been cooked, and that steaming longer than 10 minutes will cause the meat to dry out.

Although we season our steamed crabs before they are shipped, adding seasoning will make your steamed crab experience more memorable. We recommend Old Bay Seasoning, available in most grocery stores.

Blue Crab Nutrition Facts

About CrabPlace.com Crabs

In 1989, the Maryland Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) was designated the State Crustacean. Its name honors Mary Jane Rathbun, the scientist who described the species in 1896. The blue crab's scientific name translates as "beautiful swimmer that is savory."

Blue crab meat is sometimes compared to lobster meat, the flavor best appreciated by cracking and eating steamed hardshells. Crabs are prepared in restaurants and in home kitchens — steamed or sautéed, as Maryland crab cakes and Crab Imperial, or in crab soup and crab dip.

CrabPlace.com has been perfecting the art of shipping Maryland hard crabs for over 25 years to its base of tens of thousands of customers across the U.S. You won't find a finer gourmet experience.

Cook Live Crabs Immediately and Refrigerate Steamed Crabs Properly

Store them in the refrigerator at 35–40°F. For best quality, consume within 1–2 days.

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