Cooking crab to tender succulent perfection requires knowing how long to cook it based on the type, size and preparation method. Undercook it and the meat stays gummy and unappetizing. But let it cook too long and it becomes unpleasantly rubbery. Striking that ideal balance between under and overcooked for irresistibly tasty crab takes understanding cook times.
As a crab cooking enthusiast, I’ve experimented with various techniques to determine the time needed for flawless results. In this detailed guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how long you should cook different kinds of crab.
Key Factors That Impact Crab Cook Times
Several key factors affect the time required to cook crab properly:
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Crab Type – Species like Dungeness, blue crab, king crab and snow crab have different cook times.
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Size – Large king crab legs take longer than smaller soft shell crabs.
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Preparation – Whole crabs need more time than cut-up sections, cakes or claws.
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Quantity – Cooking more crabs at once slightly lengthens the time needed.
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Altitude – Higher altitudes increase cook times due to lower boiling points
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Cooking Method – Boiling, steaming, baking or grilling require varying cook times.
How to Tell When Crab is Fully Cooked
Rather than relying only on cook times as a guide, use these visual and textural cues to test doneness:
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Shells turn bright red/orange when done
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Meat changes from translucent to opaque white
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Flesh feels firm yet flakes apart easily
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Juices run clear rather than milky
Check the body and thickest parts of legs for doneness signals. Better slightly undercooked than overcooked.
Recommended Boil Times by Crab Type
Soft Shell – 3 to 5 minutes
Small Blue – 8 to 12 minutes
Large Dungeness – 12 to 18 minutes
King Crab Legs – 6 to 8 minutes
Snow Crab Legs – 4 to 5 minutes
Stone Crab Claws – 7 to 9 minutes
Start checking at the shortest time and adjust up if needed.
Ideal Steam Times for Common Crab Varieties
Soft Shell – 4 to 6 minutes
Small Blue – 10 to 15 minutes
Dungeness – 10 to 20 minutes
King Crab – 8 to 12 minutes
Snow Crab Legs – 5 to 7 minutes
Stone Crab Claws – 8 to 12 minutes
Check for visual cues of doneness starting at the low end of ranges.
Oven Baking Times for Whole Crabs and Pieces
Whole Dungeness or Blue – 15 to 20 minutes at 400°F
Crab Cakes – 10 to 12 minutes at 400°F
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms – 12 to 15 minutes at 375°F
Crab Legs – 5 to 7 minutes at 375°F
Allow a couple extra minutes for very large whole crabs. Test 5 minutes early.
Grilling Times for Crabs and Crab Legs
Whole Crabs – 8 to 12 minutes total, flipping halfway
Crab Cakes – 3 to 5 minutes per side
Crab Legs – 4 to 6 minutes per side
Soft Shell Crabs – 2 to 3 minutes per side
Brush with oil or butter before grilling. Varies based on heat intensity.
Boiling Tips for Perfect Crab Every Time
Follow these best practices when boiling crab:
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Use plenty of water for rapid boiling.
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Add lemon, seafood seasoning or Old Bay for flavor.
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Gently lower into boiling water with tongs or strainer.
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Time from when water returns to a boil after adding.
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Check early and cook longer if needed.
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Shock in ice bath to stop cooking once boiled.
Proper techniques ensure irresistibly tender, deliciously seasoned boiled crab.
Achieving ideal doneness when cooking crab requires paying close attention to cook times. The type of crab, its size, preparation method and other factors all impact how long it takes. While recommendations provide useful guidelines, visually inspecting for color changes and testing texture offers the best way to confirm when crab is perfectly cooked. Mastering cooking times takes practice, but leads to amazing results.
With the proper timing, you can enjoy impeccably prepared crab with confidence. Just remember to focus on doneness cues, resist overcooking, and savor the enticing flavors of this succulent seafood. Grab some fresh crab legs or whole crabs and get cooking!
Anyone can master King Crab Legs!
My parents served King Crabs legs for Christmas Eve dinner growing up (wed also have steak, for a surf and turf” special meal), and Ive carried on this tradition with my own family! The best part is king crab legs is one of the easiest meals to make since crab legs are already fully cooked! All we do is warm them up, and theyre ready to eat in 30 minutes.
But, crab legs are an expensive item to buy, so I want to teach you the best way to heat them perfectly. Serve them with one of our Christmas Menu Ideas, with sides like Twice Baked Potatoes and Wild Rice Pilaf.
How to Eat Crab Legs:
You want the meat to be the star here so I love the simplicity of serving crab legs with melted butter, and sometimes lemon wedges on the side. Sometimes people like to add a little minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the melted butter.
In my house, we pass around the kitchen shears, but you could also use a crab cracker or a fun seafood shell cracking set if you want to have guests over.
How to Boil Snow Crab Legs
FAQ
How long should crab be cooked?
Cover the pot, and let the stock come back to a boil. Once it does, cook the crabs until they are bright red-orange in color, about 15 minutes, depending on the size of the crab.
How do you know if crab is cooked?
A crab is cooked when its shell has turned bright red or orange. Undercooked crabs will have shells that are green or brown.
How long does it take to cook a crab?
Different types of crab have varying sizes and shell thicknesses, which directly impact cooking time. Dungeness Crab: This West Coast favorite generally requires 15-20 minutes of boiling time for a 1.5-2 pound crab. Blue Crab: Smaller than Dungeness, blue crab typically needs 8-10 minutes of boiling time.
How long do you cook a blue crab?
Blue crabs change color from greyish to bright orange when cooked. Time it so they switch color just as you remove them. Dungeness crabs tend to be larger and take a bit longer than other varieties. Target times under 10 minutes for king crab legs or claws. Cook bodies for 10-12 minutes. Snow crab cooks very quickly.
How long does it take to cook crab legs?
Cooking crab legs typically takes about 5 to 7 minutes if they are pre-cooked, which is the most common type found in stores. If you are using frozen legs, it’s essential to allow for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, as they should be thawed beforehand to ensure even cooking.
How long does it take to boil a crab?
Dungeness Crab: This West Coast favorite generally requires 15-20 minutes of boiling time for a 1.5-2 pound crab. Blue Crab: Smaller than Dungeness, blue crab typically needs 8-10 minutes of boiling time. Snow Crab: Primarily sold as clusters of legs, snow crab requires only 5-8 minutes of boiling time, as they are often pre-cooked.
How long do you boil crabs in a crock pot?
Add the crabs and boil them. Carefully lower the crabs into the pot of boiling water. Cover the lid with the pot and set a timer for 15 minutes (if you’re cooking one or two 1/2 pound crabs) or 20 minutes (if you’re cooking larger crabs). Once the water begins to boil again, lower the heat so the water is only simmering.
How long does it take to cook a crab cake?
Crab stuffed mushrooms – 12 to 15 minutes at 375°F Crab legs – 5 to 7 minutes at 375°F Always allow a couple minutes extra baking time for very large whole crabs. Check for doneness 5 minutes early. Whole crabs – 8 to 12 minutes total, flipping halfway Crab cakes – 3 to 5 minutes per side Crab legs – 4 to 6 minutes per side