Steamed Maryland Blue Crabs - Medium Females (5–6 in)
- Authentic Maryland blue crabs
- Steamed to order
- Expertly seasoned
At 5–6 in, the female blue crab is known by watermen as a "Sook," and many say her meat is the sweetest of all. Once you've tried the succulent meat from a Maryland blue crab you will be hooked forever. The crabs come steamed to order, with or without seasoning.
Overnight (next-day) delivery available
2-day shipping with dry ice available
Steamed fresh to order on ship day
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Shipping
Shipping
Shipping zones
- Local1 day in transit
- Regional1 and 2 days in transit
- National1 and 2 days in transit
- Hawaii and Alaska1 day in transit
Tuesday–Saturday Delivery • Nationwide Shipping • Overnight Arrival Available
Shipping rates are calculated at checkout and vary based on the products ordered, destination, and shipping method selected.
Packed for Freshness
Maryland crabs steamed fresh to order and never frozen. Perishable crab and seafood orders are carefully packed in insulated coolers with plenty of ice or cold packs to maintain freshness throughout transit.
Choose Your Delivery Date
Select your preferred delivery date when ordering. For parties and special occasions, we recommend scheduling delivery one day early in case of unexpected carrier delays.
Shipping Information
Order by 5:00 PM EST for next-day delivery eligibility. Carrier delays due to weather, high package volumes or other unforeseen circumstances may occur. Arrival dates are estimates, and deliveries within one day of the estimated arrival date are considered on time.
Did you know
Did you know
Female Blue Crab Terms
- Sook: A mature adult female blue crab.
- Sally: An immature female blue crab. Harvest rules protect undersized crabs and may also protect females depending on season and reproductive status.
From the Dock to the Picking House
After landing, blue crabs are commonly sorted for two different markets. Bushel crabs are sold to seafood retailers and restaurants, where they may be offered live or steamed. Picking crabs are sent to processing houses, steamed and hand-picked for fresh or pasteurized crab meat.
Female crabs make up an important share of the picking-house supply. Their meat can appear in crab cakes, soups, dips and other recipes even when the finished dish is not identified specifically as female crab meat.
Preparation
Preparation
Maryland blue crabs: steaming or re-steaming
- Add approximately 2 in of water to a large pot and place a rack or steaming basket inside to keep the crabs out of the water.
- Bring the water to a boil and wait until steam is visible before adding the crabs.
- Sprinkle the crabs with crab seasoning to taste, then cover the pot with a lid.
- For live crabs, steam for 5 to 10 minutes after steam begins escaping from under the lid. The crabs are cooked when they turn orange.
- For already-steamed crabs, follow the same method for less time and use the steam-time chart below for the quantity being reheated.
HHC Crab Seasoning ingredients: salt, spices and paprika.
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What Makes It Special
Maryland Blue Crabs
True Chesapeake blue crabs, the centerpiece of a Maryland crab feast.
Steamed to Order
Cooked fresh the day your order ships, never held and reheated.
Hands-On Crab Feast
Crack, pick and linger: the slow, social Maryland way to eat.
Cold-Packed Freshness
Insulated coolers with gel packs or dry ice keep everything cold in transit.
Medium Female Blue Crabs for an Honest Crab Night
Not every crab dinner needs to be a production. A pile of medium females turns an ordinary evening into crab night: five to 6 in each, sweet through the middle, and sized so everyone at the table gets a stack to work through rather than a single showpiece.
Small Shell, Sweet Payoff
What matters once the mallets come out is this: a medium sook gives up her meat quickly once you learn the rhythm, and a mound of them keeps hands busy and conversation going for hours. The claws on this grade are modest; the body is the prize, and plenty of Marylanders will tell you it is the sweetest meat a blue crab carries.
Seasoned Crust or Bare Shell
Each order goes into the steamer fresh after you place it, and you choose between a classic spice crust and unseasoned shells for your own blend at home. The cooler shows up packed cold, with dry ice on longer hauls, so a few firm, frosty crabs are expected. A short turn over steaming water wakes them right back up.
Gifts, Surprises, and Off-Season Wins
The ninety-plus reviews on this grade tell good stories. One customer sent an all-female batch to her father and said his reaction made the whole surprise worth it; another was amazed to find fresh, heavy crabs landing in March. If the calendar question has you curious too, our guide to the Maryland hard shell crab season explains when the bay is generous and when it gets tight.
Want the same sweet profile in a bigger package? Step up to our large female blue crabs at 6 in and beyond. Either way, the paper goes down, the pile goes in the middle, and the evening slows to crab speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between male and female crabs?
Male crabs ("Jimmies") have a long, thin apron shaped like the Washington Monument and blue-tipped claws. Female crabs ("sooks") have a wide apron on the underside of the shell.
Why do male crabs cost more than female crabs?
Female crabs are traditionally lighter with less meat than a male crab of the same size, so males command a higher price.
How do you eat Maryland Blue Crabs?
Ask a Marylander how to eat crabs and you are sure to get a variety of answers. Step-by-step instructions are included with every crab order, and our how-to guide and videos walk you through cracking and picking like a pro.
Are your hardshell blue crabs frozen?
Our hard-shell crabs are steamed to order on the day they ship and packed cold for delivery. Dry ice used on some routes can partially or fully freeze crabs in transit without changing the product that was prepared.
How are blue crabs measured?
Maryland blue crabs are measured point to point across the shell. Our sizes range from #2 males at 5–5½ in up to 7+ in heavyweights.
Why Choose Harbour House Crabs?
Over 26 Years of Experience
We’ve been shipping crabs nationwide for decades — we know how to ensure they arrive fresh and flavorful.
Freshness Guarantee
Our crabs are packed with care and shipped quickly to maintain their quality.
Options for Everyone
Five male grades from #2 jimmy to heavyweight, plus female crabs. Mix and match across an order.
Nationwide Delivery
We’re located near a major shipping hub, which means you get your crabs fast — even for last-minute celebrations.
