A “Dirty Maryland Crab” usually refers to crabs that are cooked with a spicy, flavorful seasoning blend and sometimes soaked in extra ingredients like beer or vinegar to give them a bold, “messy” flavor. It’s called “dirty” because the crabs often end up covered in seasoning and juices, making them fun to eat and a bit messy.
Ingredients:
12–15 live blue crabs
1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning (or more to taste)
2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (optional, for extra heat)
1/2 cup water
1–2 bottles of beer
2 lemons or limes, cut in halves
Extra lemon wedges optional
2–3 bay leaves
A chunk of 2” by 4” fresh ginger sliced
Melted butter optional
Directions:
Prepare the Pot:
In a large stockpot, add the beer, water, and bay leaves. Bring it to a boil.
Clean the crabs:
While the water is coming to a boil, take the live crabs and rinse them under cold water, using a long brush scrubbing them clean. If desired, you can use a crab basket or tongs to carefully add them to the pot.
Make It Dirty:
Once the water is boiling, alternate adding the crab and the Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning (if using). Lastly add the sliced fresh ginger and squeeze the lemon over them and add the remainder of the squeezed lemon in it too. Cover and steam for about 15 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when their shells turn bright orange.
Serve:
Place the crabs on a large platter or spread them out on a table covered with butcher paper.
Eat:
Serve with extra lemon wedges, old bay seasoning on the side, and melted butter if desired. Don’t forget the napkins!
Notes:
The key to “dirty” crabs is the spice! Feel free to adjust the level of heat to your preference by using more or less Cajun seasoning.
For a fun, messy experience, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and dig in!
Enjoy your messy, flavorful Maryland crab feast!
