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How to Cater Your Event with Steamed Crabs

Hosting an event with steamed crabs as the centerpiece is an iconic, delicious, and memorable way to entertain. Whether it's a casual summer party, a wedding, or a corporate event, steamed crabs bring an element of fun and tradition to any gathering. But catering an event with crabs takes thoughtful planning, preparation, and a bit of knowledge to ensure success.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to cater an epic crab feast—from selecting the right crabs to ensuring your guests have an unforgettable experience. 

Wanna run a fundraiser crab feast? We’ve got another guide just for that.

Table of Contents

  1. Why Choose Steamed Crabs for Your Event?
  2. Determining How Many Crabs to Order
  3. Selecting the Right Crabs
  4. Cooking or Ordering Steamed Crabs
  5. Setting Up Your Event for Success
  6. What to Serve with Steamed Crabs
  7. Providing the Right Tools and Essentials
  8. Entertaining and Engaging Guests During the Event
  9. After the Event: Cleanup and Sustainability Tips
  10. Final Thoughts on Hosting a Crab-Centric Event

Why Choose Steamed Crabs for Your Event?

Steamed crabs are more than just a dish; they're an experience. Here's why you should consider them for your next event:

  • Unique and Memorable: Not every event serves crabs, making it a standout choice for weddings, parties, or company picnics.
  • Interactive Eating Experience: Eating steamed crabs is an activity that fosters conversation and bonding among guests.
  • Nod to Tradition: In Maryland and the region around the Chesapeake, steamed crabs are deeply tied to local culture, making them a great way to celebrate regional pride.

Determining How Many Crabs to Order

The first question you'll likely ask is, "How many crabs do I need?" The answer depends on a few factors, including your guest count, the size of the crabs, the type of event, and whether you are planning on having other food options.

General Rule of Thumb

Plan for 6-8 crabs per person for a typical feast, assuming crabs are the main course. For heartier eaters, especially at a more casual event, you might want to plan for 8-12 per person.

Consider the Occasion

At formal events, like weddings where there are additional dishes, you might reduce the quantity to 3-5 crabs per person.

Crab Size Matters

The size of the crabs affects how many you'll need. Smaller crabs (medium or large) will require more per person, while jumbo crabs allow you to reduce the number slightly.

It's always better to overestimate slightly, as you don’t want your guests to leave hungry. Leftover crabs can be enjoyed later or sent home with guests.

Selecting the Right Crabs

The next crucial step is choosing the right crabs. Here’s what you need to know:

Local and Fresh is Best

If at all possible, source your crabs locally. Freshly caught crabs from a trusted supplier ensure the best flavor and quality. We might be biased, but Waterman’s Pride is a great place to get steamed crabs for your feast!

Crab Options

Crabs are typically categorized male or female and by size—medium, large, extra-large, jumbo, and colossal. More people seem to prefer male crabs, but others swear by female crabs. Larger crabs have more meat and make for easier eating, just keep in mind that they also come at a higher price point.

Hard-Shell Crabs

Make sure you're getting hard-shell crabs, which have fully matured and developed a hearty, meaty interior. Soft-shell crabs are delicious but not ideal for a traditional crab feast. But if you want to get a few and fry ‘em up as a special treat, feel free!

For catering, ordering through a trusted seafood caterer like Waterman’s Pride guarantees top-quality crabs delivered at their peak freshness.

Cooking or Ordering Steamed Crabs

If you’re comfortable steaming your own crabs, here’s how to do it:

Ingredients Needed

  • Crabs
  • water
  • beer (optional)
  • vinegar
  • a good amount of J. O. Spice #2 or your favorite seafood seasoning

Steaming Process

  1. In a large pot, pour about 1-2 inches of water, beer, and vinegar.
  2. Place a rack inside the pot to keep the crabs out of the liquid.
  3. Layer the crabs in the pot, sprinkling seasoning between layers.
  4. Steam the crabs for 25-30 minutes until they turn a bright red color.

If you don’t want to deal with the mess and stress of steaming your own crabs, we can help!

Waterman’s Pride can steam and deliver crabs directly to your event, or we can steam them on site.

This will ensure you have perfectly cooked crabs without any of the stress, making it an ideal choice for larger gatherings.

Setting Up Your Event for Success

Proper setup is key when serving steamed crabs. Here's what to keep in mind:

  • Tables: Cover long tables with brown paper or newspaper to make cleanup easy.
  • Seating: Ensure there's enough seating for guests to sit comfortably while they eat.
  • Trash Bins: Provide ample trash bins or buckets for discarded shells. Make sure they are accessible at every table.

Encourage a laid-back, communal atmosphere. Crab feasts are meant to be casual and fun, so a relaxed setup will match the vibe.

What to Serve with Steamed Crabs

While steamed crabs are the star, side dishes complement and round out the meal. Here are some popular options:

Classic Sides

  • Corn on the cob (steamed, boiled or grilled)
  • Coleslaw
  • Potato salad
  • Hushpuppies
  • French fries
  • Fresh bread or rolls

These sides are simple, light, and easy to serve, making them the perfect complement to the rich flavor of steamed crabs.

Beverage Pairings

Cold beer is a traditional pairing for crab feasts, but it may not be appropriate for your event. Whether or not you’re serving alcohol, you can provide classic options like lemonade, iced tea, or sparkling water.

Providing the Right Tools and Essentials

Eating crabs requires a few special tools, and providing these ensures your guests have a smooth experience:

Crab Mallets

These small wooden hammers are essential for cracking open the shells.

Crab Knives

Handy tools for extracting meat from the legs and claws.

Wet Wipes or Paper Towels

Eating crabs can get messy, so be sure to provide plenty of napkins, wet wipes, or paper towels.

Butter and Vinegar

Some guests like to dip their crab meat in melted butter or vinegar—have these options available at every table.

Extra Crab Seasoning

Some guests like to sprinkle crab seasoning on their picked crab meat. We recommend J.O. Spice - and we have our own special blend of J.O.

Entertaining Guests During the Crab Feast

A crab feast is naturally a social event, but you can add extra entertainment to keep the mood lively:

Music

Play background music that fits the theme—think beach tunes, reggae, or classic rock.

Crab Picking Contests

Organize a friendly competition to see who can pick the most meat from their crabs in a set time.

Photo Booth

Set up a fun photo station with crab-themed props for guests to capture the moment.

These small touches make your event even more memorable and keep the energy high.

After the Event: Cleanup Tips

Crab feasts can be messy, so having a cleanup plan is crucial:

Trash Collection

Ensure there are enough bins for discarded shells, paper, and utensils. Assign a few helpers to periodically empty them during the event.

Recycling

If possible, use empty crab shells for composting. Recycle anything that can be.

Leftovers

Encourage guests to take home any leftover crabs, or use them to make crab soup or crab cakes the next day.

Final Thoughts on Hosting a Crab Feast

Catering an event with steamed crabs is an excellent way to bring people together for a fun, memorable, and delicious experience. By planning ahead, selecting the right crabs, and setting up your space thoughtfully, you’ll create an event that guests will be talking about for years to come.

With Waterman’s Pride, you can rest assured that your crabs will be fresh, high-quality, and perfect for your gathering.

So go ahead, host that crab feast, and enjoy the unbeatable taste of freshly steamed crabs surrounded by friends, family, and fun!

Check out our Crab Feast Catering Menus