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Authentic Chesapeake Maryland Crab Soup with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat

Close-up of a white bowl filled with rich, tomato-based Maryland crab soup, featuring visible chunks of white crab meat and parsley.
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Make real Maryland Crab Soup at home. This recipe uses fresh vegetables, a savory tomato broth, and plenty of jumbo lump crab meat 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 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
  • 1 large potato, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning, plus more for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh squeezed
  • 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat, picked over for shells

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add the diced potato and frozen corn to the pot. Cook for 2 more minutes.
  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 broth until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.
  5. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, Old Bay Seasoning, thyme, pepper, and salt.
  6. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
  7. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Taste the broth and adjust salt or Old Bay seasoning as needed for your preferred savory, tangy flavor.
  8. Gently fold in the jumbo lump crab meat. Heat the soup through for about 3 to 5 minutes, being careful not to stir too vigorously, which can break up the delicate crab pieces.
  9. Serve the Authentic Chesapeake Maryland Crab Soup immediately in bowls. Garnish each serving with an extra sprinkle of Old Bay Seasoning.

Notes

  • For the most authentic taste, use high-quality jumbo lump crab meat. You want large, sweet pieces of crab in every spoonful.
  • If you prefer a slightly thicker soup, you can substitute 1 cup of the broth with 1 cup of clam juice for added seafood depth.
  • You can prepare the vegetable base (steps 1 through 4) a day ahead of time. Store it covered in the refrigerator and add the crab meat just before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/maryland-crab-soup-recipe-simple-broth/