Every summer millions of Maryland families, friends and loved ones share picnic-style Maryland crab feasts. It’s a big deal and pastime here. Blue crabs take time to pick and eat which is why this is a fun social activity best served with ice cold beer and music.
The bare necessities:
- Maryland Blue Crabs from the Chesapeake Bay steamed with JO Spice (our preference) or Old Bay
- Family, friends and loved ones
- Ice cold beer
- Newspaper to line your tables
- Melted butter (a little lemon in the butter is optional)
- Extra JO spice or Old Bay
- Crab mallets
- Plenty of paper towels (eating crabs is a messy business!)
- First aid kit (for the rookies)
The extras:
- Corn on the cob – pull back the corn sleeve and sprinkle JO or Old Bay and cover back up to cook.
- Spiced Shrimp (Spiced with Old Bay!)
- Maryland Crab Cakes
What you need to know:
- Maryland Blue Crab season is April 15th to October 15th
- Adult portions are typically 6-12 large crabs.
- Crab meat alone is not very filling so you may want to compliment your blue crab recipe with corn, spiced shrimp, beer, and other appetizers.
- Crabs are sloppy to eat. Don’t wear white or new clothing. Your hands and fingernails will get dirty but it’s so worth it.
- To get the most out of your crabs you need to know how to pick Maryland Blue Crabs like a pro:
