As Maryland locals, we are so excited to share this Maryland Crab Soup recipe! It's a hearty tomato-based soup made with beef broth, lump crab meat, green beans, corn, and lima beans. If you like it Half-and-Half style, be sure to also check out our Cream of Crab Soup!
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Recipe Highlights
- ⏱️ Ready in: 1 hour
- 🍽️ Serves: 6-8
- 👩🏽🍳 Difficulty: Easy
- 🥘 One Pot Meal: Simmered all in one pot for simple prep and cleanup!
Maryland Crab Soup is a Chesapeake Bay classic, and as local Marylanders, it’s one of our favorite recipes to make at home!
This tomato-based soup is loaded with vegetables, lump blue crab, and plenty of spice. We use Creole seasoning for a little kick and lots of Old Bay (or J.O. Crab Seasoning, another local favorite).
We also love Cream of Crab Soup, one of the most popular recipes on our blog. Some Marylanders even mix the two together for what’s called “Half-and-Half.”
What Makes This Recipe Special
- Beef broth base: Instead of vegetable or seafood stock, we use beef broth for a deeper, heartier flavor that pairs perfectly with the tomato base.
- Plenty of spice: A generous amount of Creole seasoning adds just the right kick, while Old Bay (or J.O. Crab Seasoning, a Maryland favorite) brings that signature Chesapeake flavor.
- Loaded with veggies: We used green beans, corn, and potatoes are here, plus lima beans (or you can swap in green peas if you prefer).
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Lump crab meat: We used lump blue crab, but you can also mix in jumbo lump and claw meat for texture. If you love it extra meaty, double the amount of crab.
- Beef broth: This recipe calls for beef broth because we like the richer flavor it brings with the tomato base. If you prefer a lighter broth, vegetable stock or seafood stock will also work.
- Vegetables: Frozen corn and lima beans are convenient, but we like using fresh green beans since they keep their snap. However, frozen green beans will work in a pinch.
- Old Bay: Old Bay is the classic choice, but many Marylanders swear by J.O. Crab Seasoning, which is a bit saltier and spicier. Since this recipe already includes Creole seasoning for heat, adjust the amount to taste. Either way, you’ll get that authentic Chesapeake Bay flavor.
See the recipe card below for full information on the ingredients and quantities.
How to Make The Best Maryland Crab Soup Recipe
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch. Add the celery, carrots, and onion; cook until softened.
Step 2: Stir in Old Bay (or J.O. Spice), Creole seasoning, and garlic.
Step 3: Add tomato paste and cook briefly.
Step 4: Pour in beef broth, then add potatoes, green beans, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer until potatoes are nearly tender.
Step 5: Add lima beans and continue simmering.
Step 6: Stir in corn until heated through.
Step 7: Turn off the heat and gently fold in the crab. Cover and let rest so the flavors meld.
Step 8: Taste and adjust with salt, black pepper, and a dash of hot sauce, if desired.
Delicious Pairings for Maryland Crab Soup
Maryland Crab Soup is delicious with simple sides like oyster crackers, crusty bread, or a slice of old-fashioned cornbread.
If you want to make it a true Maryland feast, serve it with Chesapeake Bay crab cakes on the side. And for Half-and-Half style, pair it with a bowl of our Cream of Crab Soup.
Maryland Crab Soup Recipe FAQs
We like using lump blue crab for the best texture and flavor, but you can also mix jumbo lump and claw meat. If you want it extra hearty, double the amount of crab.
Yes! Let the soup cool completely, then store it in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop and add a little extra broth if needed.
Yes! This recipe is versatile. Try adding peas instead of lima beans, extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers, or even a splash of Worcestershire for more flavor.
More Delicious Crab Recipes
Looking for more delicious crab recipes to make at home? Try these favorites:
If you tried this Maryland Crab Soup recipe or any other recipe on our blog, consider leaving us a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it went in the 📝 comments.
📖 Recipe
Maryland Crab Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 stalks celery diced
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning or J.O. Crab Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning or Cajun seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth or stock
- 1 pound red potatoes cut into ¼-inch pieces
- 4 ounces green beans fresh, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 14-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 cup frozen lima beans thawed
- 1 cup frozen sweet corn thawed
- 1 pound lump crab meat double if you like it extra meaty
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- Hot sauce to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until melted, about 1 minute.
- Add the celery, carrots, and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and the carrots begin to soften, about 8–10 minutes.
- Stir in the Old Bay (or J.O. Spice), Creole seasoning, and garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the tomato paste (if using) and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes to caramelize slightly.
- Pour in the beef broth, then add the potatoes, green beans, crushed tomatoes (with their juices), and tomato sauce. Scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are almost tender, about 10 minutes.
- Add the lima beans and continue simmering for 10 minutes more.
- Stir in the corn and cook for 2–3 minutes, until heated through.
- Turn off the heat and gently fold in the crab meat. Cover and let the soup rest for 30 minutes so the flavors meld and the crab stays tender.
- Taste and adjust with salt, black pepper, and hot sauce before serving.
Notes
- Use lump crab for the best texture, or mix jumbo lump and claw meat. Double the crab if you like it extra meaty.
- Beef broth gives the richest flavor with the tomato base, but vegetable or seafood stock works too.
- Old Bay is classic, but J.O. Crab Seasoning is a saltier, spicier local favorite. Adjust to taste, especially since this recipe also uses Creole seasoning.
- Let the soup rest for 30 minutes after adding the crab. It helps the flavors meld without overcooking the crab meat.
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