Welcome to Sugar, Spice & Glitter! Please note, this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, see our Full Disclosure.

A quick and easy method for preparing a Maryland-style crab boil, today’s Instant Pot Crab Boil features tender crab, juicy corn and fluffy potatoes all cooked in a well-seasoned broth that clings to each bite. Finish it off with our homemade garlic butter for a decadent seafood feast.

Maryland Crab Boil Recipe (Instant Pot Version)

Ever since I perfected our homemade Old Bay seasoning recipe, I’ve been waiting to make an authentic Maryland-style crab boil with it – and finally, crab went on sale!

Rather than spend an hour making our crab boil the old-fashioned way, I decided to use my Instant Pot to speed up the process. It concentrates the flavor quickly and perfectly steams the crabs, resulting in juicy, flaky crab meat that rivals anything you can get at a seafood restaurant.

Our Instant Pot crab boil features a bold, savory and slightly spicy broth that is soaked up by the potatoes and juicy corn, imparting a subtle flavor as it steams the crab. A final drizzle of our homemade garlic butter adds a bright citrus note and rich butteriness that complements the seasoning perfectly.

Using the Instant Pot makes this a practical way to prepare a crab boil without having to haul out oversized pots or cook outside. It works just as well for a summer dinner on the patio as it does for a cozy night in when your next seafood craving hits.

Our Instant Pot crab boil is a quick, flavorful seafood recipe made with crab legs, baby potatoes, corn and Old Bay seasoning, all cooked to perfection in a pressure cooker. It is an easy one-pot meal ideal for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining with minimal prep and maximum flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Crab Boil

• Fast and efficient cooking method with bold, layered flavor in under 30 minutes.
• Minimal cleanup compared to traditional seafood boils.
• Flexible ingredients that adapt easily to what you have on hand.

Snackable History Fact: In the 1930s, Chesapeake Bay crabs were so abundant in Maryland that they flooded the market, so Baltimore bars began offering free steamed crabs to customers to boost their drink sales.

Gustav Brunn (who I wrote about in our Homemade Old Bay Seasoning recipe) then introduced free samples of his “Delicious Brand Shrimp & Crab Seasoning” to bar owners to make the process of seasoning the crabs easier and more delicious. That seasoning went on to be renamed Old Bay and the rest is Maryland crab boil history.

Instant Pot Crab Boil Ingredients

• Baby Potatoes
• Small Onion, diced
• Corn, cut in half or thirds
• Old Bay Seasoning <– grab our homemade Old Bay Seasoning recipe here
• Water or Pilsner-style Beer
• Hot Sauce, optional
• Crab, or less as needed

For the Optional Garlic Butter:

• Butter
• Garlic, minced
• Lemon Juice
• Chopped Parsley

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Instant Pot
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Sharp Kitchen Knife
• Cutting Board

How to Make a Crab Boil in the Instant Pot

Place the baby potatoes, diced onion and corn in your Instant Pot.

Sprinkle on 1 Tablespoon of the Old Bay Seasoning and add the water or beer.

Secure the lid on your IP and set to manual (or “pressure cook”) for 5 minutes. Quick release.

Add the crab, remaining Old Bay and optional hot sauce to the Instant Pot. The crab should sit on top of the vegetables and not be submerged in the liquid.

Secure the lid on your IP and set to manual for 5 minutes. Quick release.

Stir the contents of the Crab Boil and place the lid back on the IP as you prepare the garlic butter. 

For the optional garlic butter, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat.

Add the lemon juice and chopped parsley.

You can serve the garlic butter on the side for dipping or drizzle over the plated crab and vegetables.

Makes 8 servings.

Instant Pot Crab Boil Recipe Variations:

• Shrimp & Sausage Boil: Swap crab for shrimp or a mix of shrimp and sausage for a surf-and-turf style boil.
• Lemon Flavor: Use a citrus-forward broth by adding lemon halves or a splash of white wine instead of beer.
• Smoky Flavor: Add smoked sausage or chorizo to deepen the savory base.
• Add Spice: Increase heat with extra hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne for a spicier profile. Or, finish with a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning or fresh dill for a unique twist.

More Family Favorite Instant Pot Recipes:

Pin this Instant Pot Crab Boil with Garlic Butter Sauce:

Printable Recipe Card:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our Instant Pot Crab Boil recipe.

If you tried this recipe and loved it too, please rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

For more delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter.

For more easy Instant Pot ideas, check out our full Instant Pot recipe collection here:

For more scrumptious seafood ideas, check out our full seafood recipe collection here: