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Real Maryland Crab Soup

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This authentic Maryland Crab Soup is a hearty, tomato-based soup filled with tender vegetables, zesty Old Bay seasoning, and sweet lump blue crab meat. A staple in Chesapeake Bay cuisine, it’s spicy, savory, and deeply flavorful — perfect with crackers for a cozy meal.

  • Author: Tina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

3 Tbsp (42g) unsalted butter

1 medium yellow onion, diced (140g)

2 carrots, peeled and sliced (170g)

1 celery stalk, chopped (31g)

28 oz (793g) canned whole peeled tomatoes

2 1/2 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning

1 Tbsp dry mustard

1 lb (453g) fresh green beans, cut into 1” pieces

1 1/2 cups (270g) diced gold potatoes

1 1/2 cups sweet corn (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup lima beans (fresh or frozen)

1/4 cup (60ml) Worcestershire sauce

4 cups (946ml) beef broth

2 cups (473ml) water

1 lb (453g) lump or jumbo lump crab meat

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add tomatoes, Old Bay, and dry mustard. Use a spatula to crush tomatoes and stir for 1 minute.
  3. Add green beans, potatoes, corn, lima beans, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and water. Stir and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Gently stir in the crab meat and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
  6. Serve hot with crackers if desired. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

  • Use high-quality lump or jumbo lump crab meat — avoid imitation crab.
  • Old Bay provides salt and heat. Reduce amount if you prefer a milder soup.
  • Beef broth is traditional, but chicken or vegetable broth can be substituted.
  • This soup freezes well. Cool completely before freezing in airtight containers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/real-maryland-crab-soup/