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Authentic Maryland Crab Soup with Lump Blue Crab and Old Bay Seasoning

A close-up of a bowl of rich, red maryland crab soup filled with large chunks of white crab meat, carrots, and celery.
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Make this classic, tomato-based Maryland Crab Soup at home. It is hearty, loaded with fresh vegetables, and seasoned perfectly with Old Bay for an authentic Chesapeake flavor.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning, or more to taste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 pound lump blue crab meat, picked over for shells
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 8 minutes.
  2. Stir in the thyme, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly whisk in the beef broth until the mixture is smooth. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, green beans, Old Bay Seasoning, and bay leaf.
  5. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
  6. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the dry sherry, if using.
  7. Gently fold in the lump blue crab meat. Heat the soup through for about 5 minutes, but do not let it boil after adding the crab meat.
  8. Taste the soup and add salt if needed. Serve hot.

Notes

  • For the most authentic taste, use high-quality lump blue crab meat.
  • You can substitute vegetable broth for beef broth if you prefer a lighter flavor, but beef broth provides the traditional depth.
  • If you like a spicier soup, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/maryland-crab-soup-recipe-easy-old-bay/