Last updated on November 3rd, 2024
Having grown up in the great state of Maryland, and having tried loads, I’m sure this is the best Maryland Crab Soup Recipe. Best of all, it’s an easy recipe you can make at home.
I’ve made this crab soup recipe time and time again for family gatherings–and my recipe just keeps getting better! It’s pure comfort food, and an easy seafood recipe for anyone.
In this post, I’ll cover why this recipe for Maryland Crab Soup is the best, go through the ingredients you need, and guide you step-by-step through making it.
Plus, I’ll share tips on thickening the soup, freezing it, and what to serve alongside it.
Why This is the Best Maryland Crab Soup Recipe
- Authentic Flavor – Made with fresh Maryland blue crab and Old Bay seasoning, this soup delivers the true Maryland taste every time!
- Simple Ingredients – My recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients that bring out the best flavors without overcomplicating things.
- Family Favorite – Fine-tuned over the years, this recipe is always a hit at family gatherings. A true comfort food!
Maryland Crab Meat – Just So Good!
If you’ve ever gotten your hands on some of Maryland’s delectable crab, it’s a given that you’re gonna have to make this classic recipe.
Not that I’m biased or anything, being a born and raised Marylander, but Maryland crab meat is by far the best tasting crab meat you’ll ever try.
I do realize that not everybody has easy access to this delicious crustacean caught straight out of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.
As a matter of fact, even though I’ve lived in Maryland my entire life, it still takes me three hours to drive to the Eastern Shore.
However, I’m extremely lucky because there are many a bushel of blue crabs shipped over to these parts of Maryland on the regular.
So, I can enjoy making crab recipes at home, crackin’ crabs at a crab feast and attending crab festivals in my area anytime!
Maryland Crab Soup Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients for this classic soup recipe:
- Jumbo Lump Crab Meat: Fresh Maryland crab meat is what you really want! But buying ready-prepared from the grocery store is fine. You can even use canned crab meat!
- Beef Broth and Chicken Stock: Makes for a super flavorful base.
- Vegetables: My special mix, including corn off the cob, brings a great balance of flavors.
- Old Bay Seasoning: The classic Maryland spice mix, or use one of these amazing Maryland-made seasoning substitutes.
- White or Yellow Potatoes: Makes the soup more filling and helps thicken it.
- Canned Tomatoes: Adds a bit of acidity and sweetness to balance the rich broth and butter.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh flavor and a bit of color.
There’s also a few extras that really make this recipe shine. For a full list of the ingredients, check the recipe card below.
I was at Whole Foods the other day, I happened upon some fresh crab meat straight out of Cambridge, Maryland!
That was my sign that it was time to make this best soup recipe!
How to Make Maryland Crab Soup
Once you have gathered all of the ingredients and chopped and diced them, the rest is very easy!
Step 1: Bring Chicken & Beef Stock to a Boil
So, some people just use water as the base for this soup.
However, I like to use a combination of chicken and beef stock to give it more flavor.
Expert tip: Use a Dutch Oven instead of a soup pot! They heat more evenly than a regular pot, which helps with slow cooking and consistent simmering. I use this Dutch Oven from Amazon.
Step 2: Add Remaining Ingredients Except Crab Meat & Flour Mixture
Now, add all of the remaining ingredients to your boiling stock and mix with a large, sturdy spoon.
Then, bring to a boil again over medium heat to medium-high heat until it is simmering.
Step 3: Simmer Soup for 45 Minutes
At this point, just keep an eye on your soup to ensure that it is at a consistent simmer.
The approximate simmer time is 45 minutes to an hour, while stirring occasionally.
This will ensure that your potatoes, carrots, onion, and celery are cooked through.
Step 4: Add Crab Meat & Flour Mixture
Now, it’s time to add your crab meat (I always rinse it in a strainer or colander with very small holes because you don’t want to lose any of that precious meat!) and flour mixture to your soup.
Then, mix it well with your large spoon and then bring it back to a simmer for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
Finally, use a good soup ladle to spoon out your servings into soup bowls.
Now, it’s time to enjoy your bowl of soup (or bowls)!
How Do You Thicken Crab Soup?
So, Maryland Crab Soup tends to be on the thinner side because it is a tomato-based soup.
Though, if you want a yummy, thick, creamy crab soup, you’re going to love my Cream of Crab Soup Recipe!
However, you can thicken up this Maryland Crab Soup by adding in more of the flour & cold water mixture.
Make sure to heat through while stirring your soup for another 10 minutes.
Can You Freeze Maryland Crab Soup?
You absolutely can freeze this soup—that is, if you have any leftovers!
In our case, we always have leftovers, but we enjoy eating them for lunch for the next few days as opposed to freezing the soup to eat in the future.
However, if you do want to freeze it, just make sure that it has completely cooled to room temperature before you add the soup to freezer-safe containers.
Specifically, Maryland Crab Soup can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Be sure to label the container, identifying what is in it and the date that you placed it in the freezer.
Also, adding an ‘eat by’ date will remind you to eat it before it’s past the 3-month timeframe.
What To Serve with Maryland Crab Soup
Here are some great options for what to serve with your soup:
- Oyster Crackers
- Ritz Crackers
- Saltine Crackers
- Hot, crusty bread (Italian, French, Foccacia)
- Salad
- Corn on the Cob (if you don’t include corn in the soup)
Other Ingredients to Add to Maryland Crab Soup
So, my husband specifically instructed me not to include lima beans, green beans, or peas in this soup. He’s not a fan!
But these are pretty common in Maryland Crab Soup, so I decided to let you know all the possible ingredients you can add to your soup, depending on what you like:
Veggies
You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to veggies:
- Lima Beans: Creamy and makes the soup heartier.
- Green Beans (fresh, canned, or frozen): Adds a nice crunch.
- Spring Onions: Mild onion flavor and a little crunch.
- Peas: Sweet and colorful.
- Cabbage: Adds some sweetness and extra crunch. Makes it more hearty too.
- Red Potatoes: A sweeter, creamier alternative to white or yellow potatoes. Adds a different texture.
Quick Cheat: If you’re in a squeeze, you can add frozen mixed vegetables. It’s an easy way to add more color and nutrients!
Herbs and Seasonings
I think if you’re using good crab and a quality stock, you don’t need to worry about extra spices, but here’s some ideas anyway!
- J.O. Crab Seasoning (instead of Old Bay): A different twist but still gives you that classic Maryland flavor.
- Ground Mustard: For a little extra heat!
- Bay Leaf: Adds an earthy flavor. Just remember to take it out before serving!
- Celery Salt: Salty with a hint of celery. Some people love it.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Want some heat? A little kick from these will do the trick.
Other Ideas
- Claw Crab Meat & Backfin Crab Meat: More crab flavor and texture. Makes the soup even richer.
- Seafood Stock: Swap out the chicken and beef stock for even more seafood flavor.
- Hot Sauce: Like it spicy?
- Lemon Juice: A dash of lemon helps if you think the soup is too rich.
Best Maryland Crab Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups Chicken Stock
- 3 cups Beef Stock
- 2 Carrots, Large, peeled & diced
- 1 cup Onion, diced
- ¾ cup Celery, sliced
- 1 cup Corn (cooked, cut off the cob or canned or frozen)
- ¼ cup Butter
- 2 tbsp Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 tbsp Dry Mustard
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 ½ cups Potatoes, peeled & diced
- 1 lb Tomatoes, chopped or crushed, canned
- 2 tbsp Parsley, fresh, chopped
- 1 lb Lump Crab Meat, preferably from Maryland
Flour Mixture
- 1 tbsp Flour
- ⅓ cup Water
Instructions
- Add chicken & beef broth to large pot or dutch oven and bring to a boil.
- Then, add all remaining ingredients (except crab meat and flour mixture).
- Bring back to a boil and then turn heat down to a simmer.
- Simmer for 45 minutes.
- Mix flour and water well and add to the soup along with the crab meat.
- Mix well and simmer for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Video
More Crab Recipes
And while you’re at it, if you find some good crab meat, you might as well stock up and make some other amazing crab recipes like these:
Other Soup Recipes
Already made the best Maryland Crab Soup Recipe? Then try some of these other soup recipes:
- Cuban Chicken Soup Recipe
- Maryland Cream of Crab Soup
- Crockpot Cabbage Soup
- Great Northern Bean Soup
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My husband asks for this recipe once a week at minimum! It’s so delicious!
Thank you for the recipe! I made it today! I always saute the onion & celery before adding ingredients in the order listed in the recipe. I also added a cup of small green lima beans & black pepper. I served the soup with buttered crusty French bread! I think it would taste better with some clam juice instead of the chicken broth. I’ll try that next time.
Thank you so much for this feedback and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
How much corn? It’s mentioned in the narrative, but not in the recipe with the amount.
Hi Abigail, You can use the corn cut off of 1 to 2 (already cooked) ears or about 1 cup of canned or frozen corn.
MD born and raised and this recipe is our family to go!