Chesapeake Bay Classic Crab Soup
This Chesapeake Bay Classic Crab Soup is a delightful and hearty dish that captures the vibrant flavors of Maryland's coastal heritage. Packed with fresh vegetables, sweet corn, and tender lump crabmeat, this soup is perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners. It's seasoned with the iconic Old Bay spice blend, bringing a taste of the Atlantic directly to your kitchen. Easy to prepare and bursting with flavor, this soup is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. Enjoy it with crusty bread for a complete meal that will impress your friends and family.
4-6
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Carrots
3 (peeled and sliced 1/8-inch thick)
Boiling Potato
1 large (peeled and cubed)
Yellow Onion
1 medium (peeled and chopped)
Celery
1 stalk (trimmed and sliced thin)
Fresh Corn Kernels
1 cup (about 2 ears)
Frozen Peas
1 cup (no preparation needed)
Worcestershire Sauce
4 tablespoons (no preparation needed)
Old Bay Seasoning
2 tablespoons (no preparation needed)
Red Pepper Flakes
1 pinch (no preparation needed)
Whole Peeled Plum Tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (crush by hand before adding)
Lump Crabmeat
1.5 lbs (no preparation needed, add towards end)
Water
6 cups (no preparation needed)
Salt
to taste (no preparation needed)
Black Pepper
to taste (no preparation needed)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, combine the sliced carrots, cubed potato, chopped onion, sliced celery, fresh corn, and frozen peas.
2
Pour in the Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay Seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Add 6 cups of water.
3
Open the can of whole peeled plum tomatoes and crush them by hand before adding them, including their juice, to the pot.
4
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5
After 30 minutes, gently stir in the lump crabmeat and continue to simmer for another 35 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6
Season the soup to taste with salt and black pepper before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chesapeake Bay Classic Crab Soup?
Chesapeake Bay Classic Crab Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish capturing Maryland's coastal heritage, featuring fresh vegetables, sweet corn, and tender lump crabmeat seasoned with Old Bay.
How much crabmeat is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of lump crabmeat.
What is the signature seasoning used in this crab soup?
The soup is seasoned with the iconic Old Bay Seasoning blend and Worcestershire sauce.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields between 4 and 6 servings.
How many carrots are needed and how should they be prepared?
You need 3 carrots, which should be peeled and sliced approximately 1/8-inch thick.
What kind of potato is best for this soup?
The recipe specifies using one large boiling potato, peeled and cubed.
What type of onion is recommended?
A medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped, is recommended for this recipe.
How much celery is used?
The recipe uses one stalk of celery, trimmed and sliced thin.
How much corn is required?
You need 1 cup of fresh corn kernels, which is roughly the yield of 2 ears of corn.
Are frozen peas used in this recipe?
Yes, 1 cup of frozen peas is included in the vegetable mix.
How much Worcestershire sauce is added?
The recipe requires 4 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
What is the quantity of Old Bay Seasoning?
You should use 2 tablespoons of Old Bay Seasoning.
Is this crab soup spicy?
The recipe includes a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle hint of heat.
How much water is needed for the soup base?
You will need to add 6 cups of water to the pot.
What kind of tomatoes are used in the soup?
The recipe uses one 28-ounce can of whole peeled plum tomatoes.
How should the plum tomatoes be prepared before adding?
The tomatoes should be crushed by hand before adding them and their juice to the pot.
What is the first step in making this soup?
In a large pot, combine the sliced carrots, cubed potato, chopped onion, sliced celery, fresh corn, and frozen peas.
How long should the vegetable mixture simmer initially?
The mixture should simmer for 30 minutes after reaching a boil to allow the flavors to meld.
When is the lump crabmeat added to the pot?
Gently stir in the lump crabmeat after the initial 30-minute simmer is complete.
How long does the soup simmer after adding the crabmeat?
Continue to simmer the soup for another 35 minutes after adding the crabmeat.
How do I prevent the soup from sticking during the final simmer?
Stir the soup occasionally during the final 35 minutes of cooking to prevent sticking.
When do I add salt and black pepper?
Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste immediately before serving.
What is the total preparation and cooking time category?
This recipe falls into the category of taking less than 4 hours to prepare.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients required for this Chesapeake Bay Classic Crab Soup.
What are some common tags for this recipe?
Tags include maryland crab soup, seafood soup, comfort food, and healthy soup.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
The soup is best enjoyed with crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Is this recipe suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a delightful and hearty dish perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.
Does this recipe use fresh or frozen corn?
This recipe uses 1 cup of fresh corn kernels.
What is the exact amount of Old Bay used?
The recipe calls for exactly 2 tablespoons of Old Bay Seasoning.
Is the crabmeat added at the beginning?
No, the crabmeat is added toward the end of the cooking process to maintain its tender texture.