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Home » Recipes » Soups

Maryland Crab Soup

August 12, 2016 By Katya 8 Comments

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crab soup recipe

Farmers market mix of hearty vegetables, smell of Old Bay seasoning, and lumps of fresh crab meat. This bowl of Maryland crab soup practically cooks itself and is a must in the summertime!

Love summer soups? Try Fresh Corn and Zucchini Chowder or Corn and Crab Chowder. 

https://www.littlebroken.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Maryland-Crab-Soup-14.jpgThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Maryland Crab Soup

We are in the final stretch of lazy summer days before school, sports, and everything else that the fall season has to offer.

In the fall, we tend to do more easy, quick, and one-pot meals. Also more soups than usual.  

Maryland crab soup is a delicious summertime favorite around our house but also a perfect bowl of comfort food for the early days of fall.

ingredients for maryland crab soup recipe

Maryland crab soup recipe is a tomato-based soup that is loaded with farmers market-style veggies, like corn, green beans, carrots, potatoes, and peas. 

Why Crab Soup is So Good

What makes this soup so special though is the lump crab meat and Old Bay seasoning. Lump crab meat is like the gem of this soup. You definitely want the fresh stuff. 

I usually get fresh crab meat at my local grocery store or the seafood market. I do not recommend canned crab meat.

Or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can always steam fresh crabs and pick the meat yourself. Around my neck of the woods, that’s a common practice. And don’t throw away those crab shells, make crab stock out of them!

Secret Ingredient

Then the Old Bay Seasoning – a must in Maryland crab soup! It’s loaded with different spices, like mustard, paprika, crushed red pepper, ginger, just to name a few.

It’s got a really good kick to it and is delicious in any type of seafood, but especially a crab soup. If you can’t find Old Bay at your local store, look for J.O. Crab Seasoning. It’s an alternative to Old Bay.

old bay seasoning

How to Make Maryland Crab Soup Recipe

The soup comes together fairly easy. You’ll be adding ingredients gradually to the same pot and then simmering until tender. 

  • Step 1: Cook the carrots, celery, and onions in a heavy-duty dutch-oven or soup pot until soft. About 5-8 minutes.
  • Step 2: Add corn, green beans, lima beans, green peas, parsley, Worchestire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, ground mustard, bay leaves, canned tomatoes, and water. To taste, season with salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
  • Step 3: Stir in crab meat and potatoes. Simmer partially covered for 30-40 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Step 4: Discard bay leaves. Taste soup for salt and pepper before removing off heat. 

Maryland crab soup is delicious with oyster or saltine crackers. I also like mine extra spicy, so a sprinkle of Old Bay is a must for me.

how to make crab soup - step by step

Storing Crab Soup

  • In the Refrigerator – leftover soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat over a gentle heat until warmed through.

You can also freeze crab soup for up to 3 months. Make sure the soup is completely cooled before sticking it in the freezer though.

  • In the Freezer – ladle cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, such as these. Leave about an inch of space between the soup and the container’s lid when filling it. That will give the liquid enough room to expand.

When ready to eat, reheat the soup over medium heat until warmed through. You can thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator first or reheat the soup frozen. Either way works. Just make sure to use gentle heat when reheating the soup. 

side view crab soup

What to Serve with Maryland Crab Soup

Most of the time simple saltine or oyster crackers is all you need to serve this veggie-filled crab soup.

But if you’re looking to turn this bowl of soup into a well-rounded dinner, here are some options:

  • Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
  • Cheese Puffs – perfect for dipping too!
  • Summer Salad Flatbread
  • Baked Potato Fries 
  • Our House Salad Recipe

If you try Maryland Crab Soup, don’t forget to leave feedback and a rating.

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Maryland Crab Soup - hearty farmers market vegetables, lumps of crab meat, and spicy Old Bay seasoning | littlebroken.com @littlebroken

Maryland Crab Soup

  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Simmer
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

Farmers market mix of hearty vegetables, smell of Old Bay seasoning, and lumps of fresh crab meat. This bowl of Maryland crab soup practically cooks itself and is a must in the summer time!


Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped (1 1/2 cups)
  • 5 ribs celery, chopped (2 cups)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh corn (from about 2 ears)
  • 1/2 pound fresh green beans, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup frozen lima beans
  • 1/2 cup frozen green peas
  • 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, chopped (1 cup)
  • 4 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. Old Bay seasoning, plus extra for serving
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. ground mustard
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 (28 oz.) can whole tomatoes
  • 6 cups water
  • 2 medium (3/4 pound) russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 lb. fresh lump crab meat
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
  • Oyster crackers or saltine crackers, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a 6-quart heavy duty stock pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and onion; sauté for 5-8 minutes or until slightly soft.
  2. Add corn, green beans, lima beans, green peas, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, ground mustard, bay leaves, canned tomatoes, and water. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Raise the heat to high and bring to a gentle boil.
  3. Add crab meat and potatoes. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, partially covered, for 30-40 minutes or until the vegetable are completely tender. Use a large spoon to break down any large chunks of tomatoes.
  4. Discard bay leaves. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve with oyster crackers and sprinkle of Old Bay, if desired.

Notes

  • Crab Meat – I recommend good quality fresh crab meat for this recipe. Do not use canned or any type of imitation meat.
  • Old Bay Seasoning – is sold in the seafood department at most supermarkets. It can also be ordered online or made from scratch.
  • Leftovers – leftover soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Or frozen for up to 3 months.

Keywords: seafood, summer, crab soup

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @littlebrokenblog on Instagram and hashtag it #littlebrokenblog

This post may contain affiliate links.

Maryland Crab Soup - hearty farmers market vegetables, lumps of crab meat, and spicy Old Bay seasoning | littlebroken.com @littlebroken

Recipe updated December 2019 with rewritten post and additional information. No change to the recipe.

Filed Under: Recipes, Soups Tagged With: corn, crab, green beans, old bay, seafood

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Comments

  1. Donna says

    January 12, 2019 at 10:36 PM

    I’m not sure about the water can I use seafood broth or clam broth

    Reply
    • Katya says

      January 13, 2019 at 9:52 AM

      You definitely can but I would watch how much sodium you add

      Reply
  2. Joan says

    September 8, 2018 at 6:48 PM

    This soup is spot on! My kids love it. It’s perfect as is but sometimes I sub a flakey white fish and that’s great too. Thank you for your hard work and beautiful photography! I will be trying more of your recipes for sure

    Reply
    • Katya says

      September 10, 2018 at 2:01 PM

      Thank you so much Joan! I appreciate your feedback.

      Reply
  3. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    August 16, 2016 at 2:43 AM

    oh my gosh this crab soup looks amazing! i love the photos and how you have styled it!

    Reply
    • Katya says

      August 16, 2016 at 9:44 AM

      Thanks so much Thalia!

      Reply
  4. Cheryl says

    August 15, 2016 at 1:07 PM

    I grew up in MD and vacationed on the eastern shore there. When I popped over to your blog today your post made me smile. Hoping to make this soup. I need to get my hands on some crab meat. I live in the Midwest now, so harder to come by good MD crab meat. And yes to Old Bay!!! There is nothing like the taste of home and your childhood. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Katya says

      August 16, 2016 at 9:44 AM

      Aww…Cheryl..so happy you stopped by! I agree, taste of nostalgia food is the best. I really do hope you get a chance to make the soup again.

      Reply

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