Low Sodium Steamed Crab with Old Bay Seasoning

Delight in the fresh, briny flavors of the sea with this Low Sodium Steamed Crab with Old Bay Seasoning—a healthier twist on a seafood classic. Featuring a homemade, salt-free take on the iconic seasoning blend, this recipe combines the bold flavors of paprika, garlic, black pepper, and cayenne with subtle herbal notes of thyme and bay leaves. Fresh live blue crabs are steamed to perfection over an aromatic mixture of vinegar, water, and lemon slices, resulting in tender, juicy crab meat that’s low in sodium but big on taste. Quick to prepare and ready in under 30 minutes, this dish makes an impressive yet effortless centerpiece for any gathering. Serve your steamed crabs with additional seasoning, melted unsalted butter, or a squeeze of fresh lemon for a truly guilt-free indulgence. Perfect for seafood lovers seeking savory satisfaction without the extra salt!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 3

Ingredients

• 6 pieces Fresh live blue crabs
• 1 cup Distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups Water
• 4 slices Lemon slices
• 1 tablespoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Ground celery seed
• 1 teaspoon Ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground dried thyme
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground bay leaves

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine paprika, ground black pepper, ground celery seed, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, ground dried thyme, and ground bay leaves to create a homemade low-sodium Old Bay seasoning blend. Set aside.

Step 2

Rinse the crabs thoroughly under cold water to remove any sand or debris. Be careful when handling the live crabs.

Step 3

In a large pot with a fitted steamer basket, add the distilled white vinegar, water, and lemon slices. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Sprinkle a generous amount of the homemade low-sodium Old Bay seasoning mixture over each crab.

Step 5

Place the crabs in the steamer basket, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer. If necessary, you can steam the crabs in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Step 6

Cover the pot tightly with a lid and steam the crabs for 18-20 minutes, or until the shells turn a bright red color and the meat is opaque.

Step 7

Remove the crabs from the steamer using tongs and let them cool slightly before serving.

Step 8

Serve the steamed crabs with additional low-sodium Old Bay seasoning on the side, along with melted unsalted butter or lemon wedges for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1957.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1146.1

Total Fat 14.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 1164mg	0%
Sodium 3564.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 13.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.3g	0%
Total Sugars 1.5g
Protein 219.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1173.3mg	0%
Iron 12.7mg	0%
Potassium 3436.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 12.4%

Protein: 82.7%

Carbs: 4.9%