Crabs are a Maryland delicacy.
Become the master of crabs this summer by following this guide for cooking everyone’s favorite crustacean.
Boiling Crabs
Out of all the methods on this list, boiling is the most common way to cook crabs. You’ll need a large pot, salt, any other seasonings you enjoy, and a pair of tongs. Bring water to a boil in the large pot. Some people also recommend adding beer or white wine to the pot. Add salt to the point that the water is as salty as natural salt water. Next, add more of your favorite seasonings to the mix. When adding the crabs to the water, do your best to add them in behind each other as quickly as possible so that they cook at about the same rate. Wait until the water comes back to a boil and the crabs begin to float. Use the tongs to remove them from the hot water. The overall cook time should be about 15 minutes.
Steaming Crabs
The steaming method helps crabs retain some of their natural flavor and juices. You’ll need a large pot, a steamer basket, and tongs. Bring about an inch of salted water to a boil before inserting the steamer basket filled with your crabs. Allow the crabs to steam in the covered pot for about 20 minutes, depending on the size of your crabs. Finally, use tongs to remove the crabs from the basket.
Grilling Crabs
Think of grilling crabs as a finishing touch rather than a start-to-finish method of preparing crabs. Start by boiling or steaming them first using the directions above until they’re about half cooked. Allow the crabs to cool and clean them before tossing them in a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, and thyme or rosemary. Place the crabs on a hot grill for about four minutes per side. Leave them whole or serve in halves or even quarters.
Roasting Crabs
To roast crabs, you’ll need a hot oven and a roasting pan. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. While your oven is heating, toss your crabs in melted butter and your favorite blend of spices and herbs. Arrange the crabs in a single layer on the roasting pan and cook for about 10 minutes or until brown.
YOUR SEAFOOD DESTINATION THIS SUMMER
Costas Inn has been a Baltimore tradition since 1971. You may recognize our restaurant, which was recently featured on the Food Network with Michael Symon on Burgers, Brew, and ‘Que! We were also voted the 2015 #1 Baltimore Seafood Restaurant by USA Today, as well as #1 Crab Restaurant 2014 in the Baltimore Business Journal. You may have also spotted Costas Inn during one of our 9 appearances on the Today Show or heard one of our many interviews on WJZ TV Channel 13 with Ron Matz and Marty Bass.
You can enjoy our famous crab cakes in-house or order them online for anytime eating. We also provide some of the best seafood catering in the Baltimore area! You can also get your fill from Costas even when you’re not in our dining room: follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube!
