Every summer, millions in the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) share picnic-style crab feasts. It’s a big deal and pastime here in our beloved region. Blue crabs take time to pick and eat which is why this is a fun social activity. Before you send out the crabby invites, take a moment to refresh yourself on the art of blue crab picking.
Step One–You’re gonna need some true blue Chesapeake Bay crabs!
The awesome thing about all of Cameron’s Maryland Blue Crabs is that they come fully cooked, ready-to-eat, and already seasoned. The crabs are caught, steamed, cooled, and shipped the very same day, ensuring the freshest (and bestest) quality. We have several whole crab options available online; Colossal Jumbo Male Crabs, Premium Male Crabs, Premium Large Female Crabs, Standard Male Crabs, and Standard Female Crabs. If you’re curious about how many crabs to order (that’s one of our most requested FAQs), check out this article HERE
Step Two–Legs & Claws
Now that you have your blue crabs in-hand, let’s get down to business! You want to remove the claws and legs first. This leggy removal allows for easier access to the body. Give each leg and claw a firm twist and pull to remove. Set the claws aside (we’ll get to these later).
Step Three–Prepping the Body
Flip the crab over to reveal the underside of the abdomen. Located in the center of the abdomen, you’ll find a shaped flap. In male crabs, this flap looks very pointy. In female crabs, the flap is wide and triangular (blue crab aficionados call this ‘the apron”). Using your fingers, pry the flap up and back, away from the abdomen, and remove.
Step Four–Prepping the Body Continues…
Removing the flap will reveal a small (perfectly thumb-sized) cavity on the back of the crab (where the top shell meets the abdomen). Place your thumb into this cavity and firmly pry the top shell off.
Step Five–Body Clean Up
With the top shell gone, remove the gills and discard. Remove the gunky bits from the center of the crab (we call this ‘the mustard’) either using a spoon, knife, your fingers, or by rinsing in water. Discard the gunky bits.
Step 6—Body Meat Reveal
Once cleaned of gills and gunk, break the crab body in half. Hold each side firmly and bend (almost like a book) until the center cracks and separates. The succulent crab meat is now more exposed and easier to pick. Use your fingers or a crab picker to remove. You could also break the body into quarters, if that makes things easier for you.
Step 7—Don’t forget the Claws!
Using your crab mallet, firmly strike the claws until they crack. Wiggle the shells to release and remove, revealing the claw meat inside.
Ready to Get Picking?
Say goodbye to the hassle of dealing with fake, undersized, and overpriced blue crabs! You deserve the best crabs in the world, delivered right to your door. We have oodles of blue crab options available on our website, from jumbo to standard. Click this link to explore more!
Show us how you feast! We would love to see you and yours enjoying Maryland Blue Crabs this summer! Reach out on any of our social media sites @cameronsseafoodonline on Instagram or Cameron’s Seafood Online on Facebook. You can even email your crab feast photos to us at contact@cameronsseafood.com
