How to Pick a Steamed Crab Without Embarrassing Yourself

Picking steamed blue crabs is Baltimore's defining food ritual: a mallet, a knife, brown paper on the table, and Old Bay everywhere. It's slow, messy, social eating — expect to work 10+ minutes per crab and pay roughly $45-$100+ a dozen depending on size and season. Here's how to do it without looking lost.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

How much do steamed crabs cost in Maryland?

It swings with size and season: as of mid-2026, roughly $45-$50 a dozen for smalls, $75 for mediums, and $95-$150+ for large to jumbo males at Baltimore-area crab houses. Prices change weekly — call ahead, and know that bigger crabs are more meat for your effort.

What parts of the crab should I not eat?

Skip the feathery gray gills along the sides and the innards in the middle. The yellow 'mustard' (hepatopancreas) is technically edible and some old-timers love it, but nobody will judge you for scraping it away.

Male or female crabs — does it matter?

Baltimore crab houses mostly sell males ('jimmies'), which run bigger; you can tell by the Washington Monument-shaped apron versus the female's dome. Locals debate whether females ('sooks') are sweeter, but jimmies are the standard order.

When is Maryland crab season?

The commercial season runs April through mid-December, but the eating is best late June through October when crabs are heavy after molting. Early-season and winter 'Maryland' crabs are often actually from the Gulf or Carolinas — ask where they're from if it matters to you.

How do you actually pick a steamed crab?

Flip the crab belly-up, pry off the 'apron' (the tab on the belly), then pull the top shell off from the back. Scrape out the gills ('devil fingers' — don't eat those) and the guts, snap the body in half, and pick the sweet lump meat from the chambers. Claws get one gentle mallet crack, not a smashing.

How many crabs should I order per person?

For a real feast, figure a half-dozen mediums or 3-4 large per person if crabs are the whole meal. First-timers pick slowly, so ordering by the dozen for the table and sharing sides is the smarter play.

Is it rude to ask for crab picking help?

Not at all — Marylanders love teaching this, and servers at crab houses demo it constantly. Watch a local do one crab start to finish, copy them, and by your third crab you'll have the rhythm. Just never, ever ask for a crab cracker meant for lobster.

What do I order with crabs at a crab house?

The classic spread: cold beer (Natty Boh if you're committing to the bit), corn on the cob, hush puppies or fries, and maybe a crab soup to start. Don't fill up — picking a half-dozen crabs is the meal and the entertainment.

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