Maryland Steamed Crabs
Miss Maryland, Brooke Catherine Poklemba, submitted this recipe for Steamed Crabs.
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Ingredients
| 2 | cups (or more) Water |
| 2 | Cans beer |
| Vinegar | |
| 1 | cup Old Bay Seasoning |
| 3/4 | cup rock salt (optional) |
| 2 | dozen Live Maryland Blue Crabs |
Use amount equal to amount of water & beer
The best Blue Crabs can be found in Chesapeake Bay or its river branches. For the freshest crabs catch with chicken necks on a trout line off of a piers or boat. Or, purchase them already caught at road side stands!
Preparation
- Crabs must be alive! Discard any dead crabs. Make sure they have been kept on ice and are no older than a few hours.
- Use largest pot you can find that has a raised rack (like a canning pot). Raised rack should be minimum 2” high (can use metal rack or homemade wooden planks).
- Add equal quantities water/beer mixture with the vinegar to just below the level of the rack.
- Using large tongs and wearing heavy pot holder gloves, layer LIVE crabs into pots; sprinkle each layer with OLD BAY and Rock Salt to taste. Keep the pot lid handy and work fast to keep crabs in pot.
- Cover & steam until crabs turn red (approx 30 min).
- Cover table with brown paper or old news papers and supply your guests with wooden crab hammers, knives and a roll of paper towels!
- Drop hot steamed crabs in middle of table for all to share and enjoy!
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