Maryland Blue Crab Soup
A rich and creamy soup infused with fresh blue crab meat, tomatoes, and a hint of Old Bay seasoning. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs crab meat, chopped tomatoes, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz crab meat
- 2 cups chopped tomatoes
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sherry
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté 1 cup diced onion, 1 cup diced celery, and 1 cup diced carrots over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 cups chopped tomatoes, 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning, and 1 tsp salt. Cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes begin to break down.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz crab meat, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 1/4 cup sherry. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes until the soup thickens and the crab is heated through.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, garnished with a drizzle of sherry and a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maryland Blue Crab Soup take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Maryland Blue Crab Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep crab meat from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maryland Blue Crab Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Maryland Blue Crab Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Maryland Blue Crab Soup?
American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to seafood dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.