MARYLAND STEAMED CRABS RECIPE - (4.7/5)

Maryland Steamed Crabs Recipe - (4.7/5) image

Provided by Lsweetnell

Number Of Ingredients 8

For The Steaming:
Serves 4 people, if your lucky, some eat two or three, some six.
Make sure you have crab hammers, or at least the back of a butter knife to break the claws open.
12 Male Blue Crabs as large as you can afford, or can catch
3 cups water(Or three beers or however many beers you are willing to give up, but it still needs to be 3 cups of some liquid)
3 cups cider vinegar
1 large container of Old Bay or your favorite Spice Mix
For Dip: Melted Butter, some people use Ketchup and mayo combined, some like vinegar

Steps:

For Steaming The Crabs: You will need a large pot with a raised rack to keep the crabs out of the water mixture. I have been known to use wadded-up foil. Add the water and/or Beer and vinegar to the pot and bring to a boil. The depth of the water mixture could vary due to pot size. You may not be able to cook all the crabs at once. While boiling watch the level of water in your pot making sure not to boil dry. If you run low remember its equal parts beer and/or water to vinegar. Carefully layer the crabs in the pot grab from behind. Between each layer of crabs season with the spice mixture you have made. Steam blue crabs for 20 minutes until done If crabs are extremely large maybe longer, but no longer than 30 minutes. Allow to rest until the crabs have cooled some and are safe to crack and enjoy. Ensure you have someone around that knows how to clean a crab and can show you how to do that.