Dungeness crab is a Pacific Northwest delicacy cherished for its sweet, succulent meat. While incredibly tasty, cooking and cleaning Dungeness crab can seem intimidating for first-timers. Not to worry – with a few simple tips, you’ll be enjoying fresh crab like a pro in no time.
Choosing Your Crab
The first step is selecting high-quality live Dungeness crab Check your local fish market or supermarket during peak crab season from November to June Look for crab that are active and feisty – this signals freshness, Each crab should weigh 1,5 to 2 pounds, Avoid any with cracked shells or an unpleasant odor,
When possible purchase crab directly from the fish counter rather than pre-cooked. This allows you to control cooking and maximize freshness. Place live crab in a cooler on ice for transport home where they can survive for several hours when chilled.
Storing Crab
Once home, place live crab in a large bowl or sink filled with cold water. Refrigerate, changing the water every 30 minutes until ready to cook within 24 hours. This keeps them alive and happy. Don’t leave live crab at room temperature or they’ll perish quickly.
Cooked Dungeness crab keeps refrigerated up to 3 days. First remove the top shell, gills, and innards. Then separate the legs and body for easier eating later. Store pieces in an airtight container to prevent drying out. Crab also freezes well for 1-2 months if sealed airtight.
Cleaning Crab
Before cooking, thoroughly rinse live crab under cold running water while scrubbing with a stiff brush. Use tongs to grip firmly when cleaning. Focus on the underside and leg joints where dirt collects. Pat dry completely with paper towels. This removes debris and impurities.
Cooking Methods
Steaming and boiling are common cooking methods. Both yield tender, juicy meat when done properly.
Steaming
- Place a steamer basket in a large pot with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Put crab in the basket in a single layer, about 2 per basket.
- Cover and steam for 18-20 minutes.
- Check for doneness when shell turns bright orange and meat is opaque white.
- Transfer cooked crab to a sheet pan to cool slightly before eating.
Boiling
- Fill a large pot with salted water (1 tbsp salt per quart) and bring to a rolling boil.
- Gently lower live crab into the pot and cover.
- Once boiling again, cook for 18-20 minutes per 1.5 pounds.
- Use the same doneness tests as steaming.
- Drain and transfer to a sheet pan to cool.
Avoid overcooking which causes dry, rubbery meat. Slightly underdone is better, since crab continues cooking after removing from heat.
Eating and Serving Suggestions
Cracked open, Dungeness crab is delicious eaten by hand. Have napkins, picks and a bowl ready for the shells. Fancy it up by serving with melted herb or garlic butter.
For elegance, remove meat from shells and serve:
- Crab cakes – pan fried patties of crab and breadcrumbs
- Stuffed crab shells – filled with crab and cream cheese
- Crab salad – tossed with greens, avocado and dressing
- Cioppino – tomato seafood stew with mixed seafood
- Bisques, sandwiches, pasta dishes and more!
Leftover picked crab meat also shines when you replace lobster or shrimp in recipes. The sweetness of Dungeness stands out beautifully.
With these simple tips, you can cook and enjoy fresh Dungeness crab like an expert. From choosing and prepping to cooking methods and serving suggestions, feel confident handling this decadent shellfish. Impress your guests with a crab feast or incorporate crab meat into seafood entrees. However you crack into it, Dungeness is a delicious addition to any meal.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps for perfect Dungeness crab every time:
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Purchase – Select live, active 1.5-2 pound crab with intact, bright shells. Should feel heavy for size.
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Clean – Rinse well while scrubbing. Focus on leg joints and underside. Pat completely dry.
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Cook – Steam 18-20 minutes until shell turns orange or boil 18-20 minutes per 1.5 pounds. Don’t overcook!
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Cool – Let sit 10 minutes before eating.
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Crack and Enjoy! – Use mallet or crackers to break legs. Carefully remove meat with picks.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
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Buy fresh live crab during peak season from November to June.
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Select crabs that are lively and dry with intact shells.
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Use tongs and gloves to handle live crab safely before cooking.
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Steaming yields moister meat compared to boiling.
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Don’t peek while cooking – this releases steam and slows the process.
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Check for doneness after 18 minutes; cook longer if needed.
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Allow cooked crab to rest 10 minutes before eating.
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Serve simply with lemon, melted butter or Old Bay seasoning.
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Refrigerate cooked meat up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.
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Substitute for lobster in dishes like salads, pastas and soups.
With practice, you’ll be a pro at cooking succulent Dungeness crab in no time! We’d love to know your favorite crab recipes and cooking tips!
Freshly caught Dungeness Crab is classic Pacific Northwest cuisine.
Are you ready to learn how to cook Dungeness Crab? During the Seattle summer, my favorite ways to spend a day is crabbing on Puget Sound in the morning and inviting over friends and family for a crab boil in the evening. Those calm summer days on the water make crabbing here pretty trouble-free. And the bounty we catch is usually enough to feed at least a couple people. Cooking Dungeness Crab is easy and a great way to share the whole hunter-gatherer vibe with others. You don’t need much equipment to cook crab, add in a little prep time and you are there!
Preparing For a Crab Boil
Make sure you have everything on your checklist in order. Mix in the salt and any seasoning to the water, fire up the burner and get the water to a rapid and rolling boil.
Once the water is at a rapid and rolling boil you are ready to add the crab! Adding the Dungeness Crab to the boil will cause the water temp to drop significantly. I like using a large pot with a lot of water because I can drop in a few crab without having the water temp drop too much. Timing is everything. I usually give the crab 12 to 15 minutes in a boil. If the boil dies when I drop in the crab and it takes a couple minutes to get going again I will give it a little longer. Once you go through this process a few times you will have a good feel for it.
Chef Burgess Shows Us How to Cook + Eat Dungeness Crab | Hog Island Oyster Co.
FAQ
What’s the best way to cook a Dungeness crab?
Steam or boil your crab at ~7-8 minutes/pound, lid on but cocked to allow a bit of venting.
Is it better to boil or steam Dungeness crabs?
Steaming is better than boiling because more crab flavor is retained in the meat during the cooking process and crabs cook perfectly in 12 minutes. Enjoy your crab with friends by cracking it freshly cooked over a newspaper covered table and serving it with bread, butter, and Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce.
What is the best method of cooking crabs?
Take them home and prepare a steamer. You can boil them, but steaming is arguably the best way of cooking crab. You can add a teaspoon of vinegar to your steamer’s water reserve or to your boil. A touch of vinegar makes the picking (of the meat) easier. You’ll know they’re done once they turn bright red.
How to cook Dungeness crab?
If you opt for live Dungeness crab, here’s how to prepare them before cooking: Use a sharp knife: Place the crab on its back and swiftly stab it in the center of the shell to humanely kill it. Ensure you handle the crab with gloves to protect your hands from its powerful claws.
What is Dungeness crab?
Dungeness crab is a seasonal delight that graces tables across the Pacific Coast. For seafood enthusiasts, the sweet, tender meat of this crustacean is often considered a delicacy, showcasing the flavors of the ocean.
Should you steam Dungeness crab?
Steaming helps to keep much-needed nutrients in the Dungeness crab itself, instead of it washing away into the water or cooking liquid. Another pro of steaming is that it is a gentle process and does not agitate or break apart the crab like another method of cooking might. It is also a fast way to cook your meal.
How do you make steamed Dungeness crab?
Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and parsley. Serve crabmeat immediately with lemon-garlic butter and lemon wedges. The secret to flawless steamed Dungeness crab starts with the quality. Fresh Dungeness crab is an ingredient that needs little more than a silky butter sauce to make a simple, indulgent, memorable meal.
How long does Dungeness crab take to cook?
It is personal preference. More on cleaning crab later. Whole Dungeness Crab will take a little longer to cook (usually 12 to 15 minutes in the boil), cleaned Dungeness halves take a little less time (usually 10 to 12 minutes). We all need to be super safe when preparing and enjoying seafood.
Do Dungeness crabs turn orange when cooked?
They are a purple and brown color when fresh and alive and turn a bright orange color once they are cooked. This process will be the same whether you have a live crab or an uncooked whole Dungeness crab that has been frozen. Some people like to freeze their crab raw and cook the day they plan to eat them.