what is a maryland crab feast

What is a Maryland Crab Feast? A Guide to this Quintessential East Coast Tradition

A Maryland crab feast is a beloved tradition along the Chesapeake Bay and broader East Coast region. This iconic event brings family and friends together to enjoy bushels of freshly steamed blue crabs, cold beer, and good company. Though crab feasts take some work, the hands-on experience and delicious meat make it all worthwhile. If you’ve never taken part in one of these incredible feasts, here’s everything you need to know about the history, customs, and how to host a true Maryland crab feast of your own.

A Brief History of the Maryland Crab Feast

Maryland crab feasts have a long and rich history tied to the culture of the Chesapeake Bay. Blue crabs are native to this region, and locals have enjoyed eating them for centuries. During warm summer months, people would gather to steam bushels of the crustaceans and pick them apart while socializing. The tradition became further ingrained in the late 19th century, when crab picking houses opened along the bay and families would bring in their bushels to be steamed and picked.

By the 1950s, the classic Maryland crab feast as we know it today had taken shape. Families realized they could cut out the middleman and host their own feasts at home. The key elements – mounds of crabs picnic tables covered in paper cold beer, and hours of leisurely picking – solidified into tradition. No summer along the bay is complete without numerous backyard crab feasts!

When and Where Crab Feasts Happen

Maryland crab feasts mostly take place during summer months when crabs are in peak season, from late May through September. Weekends are prime time for holding feasts, though they can take place any day.

These events mostly happen in Maryland, particularly in communities along the Chesapeake Bay. However, you can now find crab feasts along the broader Mid-Atlantic coast and anywhere with access to fresh blue crabs. Wherever they’re held, a crab feast brings joy and connection through food.

The Delicious Blue Crab

At the heart of every Maryland crab feast are bushels of freshly steamed blue crabs. The scientific name for blue crabs is Callinectes sapidus. They inhabit coastal waters ranging from Nova Scotia down to Uruguay but Chesapeake Bay blue crabs are particularly prized for their sweet, delicate meat.

Blue crabs have an oval, light brown shell that turns bright red when cooked Males and females look slightly different; males have a more tapered “apron” flap, while females have a rounded one. The crabs range in size from 3 to 5 inches across When buying for a feast, choose the largest “jumbo” crabs you can find. Bigger crabs mean more meat!

Gearing Up for a Crab Feast

Hosting an authentic Maryland crab feast takes a bit of preparation, but it’s easy once you learn the process. Here’s a checklist of must-have gear:

• A large pot with a steaming basket insert
• Newspapers or brown paper to cover tables
• Small hammers or mallets for cracking claws
• Shellfish knives or skewers for poking meat
• Old Bay seasoning and vinegar for steaming
• Plenty of cold beer and other beverages
• Bibs, wet wipes, and paper towels

Don’t worry about plates and utensils – crab feasting is hands-on eating!

Steaming the Crabs

Steaming is the traditional cooking method for Maryland crab feasts. Start by filling a large stockpot with equal parts beer and vinegar, about 1-2 inches deep. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Load the live crabs into a steamer basket, placing them in layers and sprinkling each layer liberally with Old Bay seasoning. Insert the steamer basket and cover the pot. Steam for 15-20 minutes until the crabs turn bright red (don’t allow them to overcook).

Carefully remove the steaming hot crabs and dump them onto your paper-lined table. Now the feast can begin!

How to Eat Crabs Like a Pro

Eating hot steamed blue crabs takes some work, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Here are a few tips for tackling them like a pro:

• Twist off the legs and claws first. Set them aside to tackle last.

• Flip the crab over and remove the top shell. Scoop out the delicious yellow “mustard” here.

• On the underside, remove and discard the gills.

• Break the body in half down the middle.

• Use your hands, skewers, and small mallets to carefully pick all the sweet lump meat from inside chambers and crevices in the shell.

• Don’t forget about the smaller legs! Crack them open with your teeth to suck out the tasty morsels.

• Twist off the claws and use a mallet or your hands to break the shells. Extract the claw meat.

Take it slow and be thorough – a Maryland crab feast is about taking time to savor the experience. Before you know it, you’ll be a crab picking expert!

Traditional Side Dishes and Fixings

While hot steamed crabs are undeniably the main event, a crab feast isn’t complete without some classic side dishes. Here are some traditional accompaniments:

• Corn on the cob – Rubbed with Old Bay butter

• Cole slaw – Tangy vinegar-based slaw

• Homemade cornbread – Warm and crumbly

• Potato salad – Creamy with lots of veggies

• Saltines or oyster crackers – For scooping up mustard

• Iced tea or lemonade – To wash it all down

Provide small bowls of vinegar for dipping crab meat. Drawn butter is also popular for dipping, though not strictly traditional. And don’t forget ice-cold beer! Keep those brews flowing throughout your feast.

The Social Side of Crab Feasting

Along with the food itself, the communal, leisurely nature of eating crabs is central to the experience. A crab feast is a time to gather with friends and family, catch up over some cold ones, get your hands dirty, and savor the process of picking crabs. The relaxed pace lends itself to storytelling, reminiscing, playful teasing, and making new memories together. Don’t be surprised if a few rounds of cornhole or ladder ball break out!

Crab Feast Etiquette

While crab feasts are casual affairs, there are some dos and don’ts:

Do:

• Come prepared for a mess – wear old clothes

• Bring appetites and patience – crab picking takes time

• Join in the work of preparation and cleanup

• Share tools and crabs generously

• Savor the experience and the company

Don’t:

• Overstuff yourself too quickly

• Rush others who are picking crabs

• Hoard all the best crabs for yourself

• Forget to clean up your area when finished

Keeping Traditions Alive

For lovers of seafood, summer, and Chesapeake culture, the Maryland crab feast remains an unforgettable experience. Families pass down tips and traditions from generation to generation, keeping this quintessential regional specialty alive. Visitors continue flocking to Maryland restaurants and feasts for a taste of authenticity. No matter how you take part, a Maryland crab feast is a joyful way to celebrate community, tradition, and some of the area’s finest provisions from the sea.

A crab feast is a social gathering centered around eating steamed crabs, often Maryland blue crabs, where guests typically gather around a large table, sometimes covered in butcher paper, and pick crabs together.

Tickets