How Did Hard Crabs Become Christmas Eve Tradition? Seven Maryland Seafood Markets Still Steam To Order

In plenty of Maryland homes, Christmas Eve dinner does not start with a ham. It starts with a pile of newspaper on the table, a bag of hot steamed crabs, and a can of Old Bay within arm’s reach.

The habit makes sense here, since many Catholic families once skipped meat on Christmas Eve and turned to seafood, and in Maryland, seafood usually means crabs. Over time, that meatless meal turned into a family ritual that many households still keep.

Winter crabs are harder to find than summer ones, so a market that will still steam a dozen to order is a holiday helper worth knowing. The seven markets below stretch from the Eastern Shore to Southern Maryland and the Baltimore suburbs.

Each one handles steamed crabs a little differently, so read on before you place that holiday call.

1. Hunter’s Seafood and Market, Grasonville, MD

Kent Island traffic has a way of sending travelers right past Grasonville, but crab regulars know to exit early. Hunter’s Seafood and Market sits at 4801 Main St, and it runs as a family-owned shop built around fresh local seafood and homestyle carryout platters.

The steamed crabs are the reason most people stop. Customers often order by the half dozen, with #2 crabs a common pick, and the crabs tend to come out heavy and well spiced.

A crab cake, some coleslaw, or an ear of corn rounds out the order easily.

Calling ahead is the smart move, especially around a holiday. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and it stays closed on Mondays.

Weekend afternoons get busy here, so a weekday pickup tends to go faster. Free lot and street parking make the stop simple, though there is no delivery, so plan to grab your bag in person at 410-827-8923.

2. Wild Seafood, Jessup, MD

Feeding a big crowd on Christmas Eve takes more than a half dozen. Wild Seafood in Jessup handles bulk crab orders well, with two-dozen orders and up coming out heavy in both medium and large sizes and ready at the agreed time.

You will find it at 7901 Oceano Ave, a location that suits shoppers heading in from Baltimore, Columbia, or the Washington suburbs. Beyond steamed crabs, the market carries oysters and other seafood, and the staff will clean your fish for you.

Hours run 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 6 PM on Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday, and noon to 5 PM on Sunday. Friday evening tends to be the quietest window, a handy detail for a last-minute holiday pickup.

There is free parking but no restroom or delivery, so treat it as a quick in-and-out stop. Orders go through 443-661-4923.

3. Conrad’s Crabs & Seafood Market -Parkville,MD, Parkville, MD

Late hours matter when holiday errands run long, and Conrad’s in Parkville stays open until 8:30 PM most nights and 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. That gives you a little breathing room on a crowded December day.

The shop at 1720 E Joppa Rd focuses on local crabs and seafood specialties. Picking crabs come out hot, seasoned, and on time, with full, sweet meat and plenty of yellow mustard for the fans.

The menu goes well past whole crabs. Backfin crab cakes, crab balls, Chicken Chesapeake, fish and chips, a crab dip burger, and a smoked salmon platter all show up, which helps if a few relatives would rather not pick.

Curbside pickup, takeout, delivery, catering, and shipping are all options. Reservations are not taken and a wait is common, so call 410-882-1515 ahead of Christmas Eve.

4. Anne Arundel Seafood, Pasadena, MD

Here is a fun twist on steaming to order. At Anne Arundel Seafood, a room holds raw items like crabs, crab legs, mussels, shrimp, clams, and vegetables, and you choose what goes into the steamer.

The spot at 230 Mountain Rd mixes a fish market with a counter-service kitchen. Indoor picnic tables keep things no-frills, and the menu includes fried hard crab, a Maryland favorite that surprises a lot of first-timers.

Cream of crab soup, raw oysters on the half shell, king crab, steamed shrimp, and snow crab legs with extra Old Bay also appear. Hush puppies and a kids’ menu make it easy to bring the whole family.

It is open daily, until 8 PM most nights and 9 PM Thursday through Saturday. Mornings are calm, and reservations are accepted at 410-255-3344.

5. Cranky Crab, Queenstown, MD

Despite the grumpy name, Cranky Crab has a reputation for friendly, professional service. That name is easy to remember when you need to call in a holiday order.

The market at 6307 Main St in Queenstown carries fresh seafood with crabs as the headliner. Its steamed crabs tend to run large and arrive ready at the promised time, and the prices stay fair.

Queenstown sits close to Grasonville, so Eastern Shore families have two good options a few minutes apart. Cranky Crab is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM, and closed Mondays.

A free parking lot and a gender-neutral restroom are on site. There is no delivery, so call 443-446-5464 and swing by for pickup.

6. Blue Point Crab Company LLC, Lexington Park, MD

Southern Maryland gets its own entry with a delivery option. Blue Point Crab Company in Lexington Park sells crabs, oysters, fish, and other seafood, and will bring orders to you for a fee.

Steaming is offered on request, which helps on busy days. The crabs come straight from the water and are seasoned well, and the oysters are a solid holiday add-on.

Plan around the short hours. Pickup runs Wednesday through Friday from 2:30 to 5:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 PM, and it is closed Monday and Tuesday.

There is no walk-in shopping, so schedule your order first at 240-538-8176 or through bluepointcrabco.com. The pickup process itself is simple once you are on the calendar.

7. Glen Burnie Seafood Market, Glen Burnie, MD

Seven days a week, 11 AM to 7 PM, Glen Burnie Seafood Market keeps the same hours. That steady schedule is a relief when the holiday falls on any day of the week.

The shop at 7167 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd offers a fresh daily catch, including selections from the Chesapeake Bay. Crabs here are fresh, meaty, and well seasoned, and shrimp makes an easy addition to a crab order.

Customer service is a strong point, which matters during the holiday rush. Tuesdays and weekday mornings are calmer, while Friday afternoons and evenings pick up.

Catering is available for larger gatherings, but there is no delivery. Call 410-766-2722 to set up your Christmas Eve dozen, and keep the Old Bay ready at home.