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Authentic Maryland Crab Soup with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat

Close-up of a steaming white bowl filled with rich, red Maryland crab soup, topped with large flakes of white crab meat, carrots, and corn.
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Make a classic, tomato-based Maryland Crab Soup featuring tender jumbo lump crab meat and the signature flavor of Old Bay Seasoning. This hearty, vegetable-rich soup brings Chesapeake Bay comfort right to your table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups vegetable or seafood broth
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup diced potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1/2 cup dry sherry (optional, for flavor depth)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat, picked over for shells
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Stir in the tomato paste, Old Bay Seasoning, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
  3. Add the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, diced potatoes, corn, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
  4. Remove and discard the bay leaf. If you are using dry sherry, stir it in now. Taste the broth and add salt as needed.
  5. Gently fold in the jumbo lump crab meat. Heat the soup through for about 3 to 5 minutes, being careful not to overcook or break up the crab meat too much.
  6. Serve your homemade crab soup hot. Offer extra Old Bay Seasoning at the table for those who like more spice.

Notes

  • For the most authentic Chesapeake Bay flavor, use high-quality jumbo lump crab meat.
  • If you skip the sherry, substitute with an equal amount of extra broth or water.
  • This soup tastes even better the next day after the flavors have fully developed.
  • You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth if seafood broth is unavailable.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mayaplate.com/maryland-crab-soup-recipe-classic-easy/