his is a large family or party size recipe:

1 gallon water
1/2 head cabbage, diced (small head of cabbage)
2 lg. onions, diced
5 pieces celery, chopped
5 fresh carrots, chopped
1 lb. bacon, whole slices or cut up
2 (16 oz.) cans tomatoes
1 lb. beef stew meat, optional
1 tsp. basil
1 lb. crab meat
2 (16 oz.) cans each of whole corn, green beans (whole, not cut up), sweet peas
6 med. size potatoes, diced in large pieces
2 (10 oz.) boxes frozen lima beans
1 dozen crabs, clean and broken in half so there is 1/2 crab with claw and legs attached
Salt and pepper to taste
Old Bay to taste

Do not wash (rinse) crabs prior to putting in soup.

In a large crab pot add first 9 ingredients. Cook on high heat until carrots and cabbage are tender. Watch water level as water will evaporate and cook up in vegetables. Add water to keep a soup consistency. Continue on high heat; add lima beans. Cook 1/2 hour longer.

Reduce heat to medium low. Add remaining ingredients (crabs, corn, green beans, peas, potatoes, crab meat). Taste broth often; add more Old Bay if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally while preparing soup.

Beef stew meat is optional. Some people like a meat tasting soup rather than just crab flavor.

Enjoy! Share with a neighbor or a friend!