Looking to host the ultimate Maryland/Eastern Shore style crab feast? Whether you’re a local or just want to experience the charm of this iconic seafood tradition, a crab feast is a perfect way to gather friends and family for a memorable summer celebration. With blue crabs as the stars of the show, along with delicious sides and refreshing drinks, this blog post will guide you through everything you need to create an authentic feast. The heart of any Eastern Shore crab feast is being outside on the Chesapeake Bay enjoying time with friends and family while you talk and pick crabs. It’s the gathering of people that creates the most memorable events.
From creating the right atmosphere to having the essential crab pickin’ tools, get ready to dive into the flavors and fun of a classic Eastern Shore Crab Feast!
Everything You Need to Host Your Crab Feast
Crabs are the main attraction, but there are a few essential tools you’ll need to make your party perfect. Order your crabs a week or two in advance, plan to pick them up right before the party so you can serve them warm. Crab mallets, crackers and knives are a must. Mallets and crackers can be shared, I usually make sure each person has their own crab knife. It’s nice to have a roll of paper towels on each picnic table so people can wipe their hands. Eating crabs is a messy business! Pro tip: plan for three crabs per person, some will eat more some less. A half bushel is about 4 dozen #1s (larges) and will feed about ten people with a few leftover for crab cakes!
- mallets
- crab knives
- crab crackers
- Old Bay Seasoning or J.O. Spice Mix
- apple cider vinegar (for dipping the crab meat in) – some people like butter too
- paper towels
- a bucket to put the crab shells and guts in for easy clean up
- fly fans – a must!
- plastic table cloth
- brown paper (could use newspaper too)
- paper plates, napkins, cutlery for the non crab food
- plastic cups
- BEER! No crab feast is complete without beer, we recommend National Premium, a local brew.
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Crab Feast Menu Ideas and Side Dishes
There are a few traditional sides that are served at an Eastern Shore crab feast. The first is pickles and cheese. I know, I too was skeptical of this culinary anomaly, but it is a refreshing delight. Simply slice cheddar cheese and pop a pickle on top and attach with a toothpick. I’ve had both dill and bread and butter and they both rise to the occasion. Aside from the local blue crabs and pickles and cheese the rest of the party is pretty much like any other BBQ. Maryland Silver Queen corn is always a hit (sprinkle some Old Bay on your corn for a delicious flavor burst), beans, coleslaw and cornbread. Usually we throw some hot dogs and burgers on the grill too. It’s hard to fill up eating just crabs!
Once you’ve worked up a sweat picking crabs, you’ll want to wet your whistle with an ice cold frosty beverage. Our beer of choice is locally brewed and bottled National Premium. For the non-beer drinking crowd we served another Eastern Shore favorite, the Grapefruit Crush (recipe here). Fresh squeezed juice takes this cocktail to the next level.
Setting the Perfect Crab Feast Table
At Style Among Friends we love a good tablescape and nothing makes setting a table as easy as a crab theme. Sturdy tables are a must (no glass!) since you’ll be hammering away at your dinner. Covering the tables to protect them is essential; we like layers, plastic then paper in case the crab juice soaks through the paper. Fly fans make the whole experience more pleasant as does a yummy Grapefruit Crush. Flowers, although not essential, add a touch of fancy to the traditional crab pickin’ table. And of course you need a bucket for the crab discards, paper towels for your hands and a basket of tools. It doesn’t take a lot to create the perfect crab feast table.
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What to Wear to a Crab Feast
Comfort is key when selecting an outfit for an Eastern Shore crab feast. You can bet it will be warm out, and when pickin’ your own supper you can really work up a sweat. We’re sharing what we’d wear to a crab feast casual and little bit fancier. Although nothing about an Eastern Shore crab feast is fancy, sometimes a girl just wants to get dressed up. Either way you will be perfectly dressed.
Need more party ideas?
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