King crab is one of the most decadent and delicious seafood treats out there. With its tender, sweet meat and impressively large claws, it’s no wonder why king crab is a luxury food item. However, cooking a whole, live king crab at home can seem like an intimidating task if you’ve never done it before. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of cooking a whole king crab from start to finish.
Selecting and Preparing the King Crab
The first step is selecting a high-quality, live king crab When buying one, look for a crab that is active and has all of its legs and claws intact Avoid any crabs that seem sluggish or damaged. Plan on about 1 pound of crab per person. Once home, give the crab a cold water rinse and use kitchen shears to carefully snip off any rubber bands around the claws. This allows the crab to move freely when cooking.
Next, it’s time to humanely kill the crab before cooking. The most effective method is to quickly plunge a sharp knife into the crab’s nerve center located right behind the eyes. Then flip the crab over and pull off the top shell. Scrape out the spongy yellow or grey gills and discard them. Also remove and discard the stomach sac, which will look like a small, translucent sac behind the mouth area. Rinse out the interior of the crab. Now it’s ready for cooking!
Determining Cook Time Based on Size
The cooking time for a whole king crab depends largely on its size and weight. Here are some general guidelines
- 1 to 1.5 pound crab – Cook for 7 to 9 minutes
- 2 to 3 pound crab – Cook for 10 to 12 minutes
- 4 to 5 pound crab – Cook for 13 to 15 minutes
- 6 to 7 pound crab – Cook for 16 to 18 minutes
The best way to test doneness is to insert a knife into the thickest part of the crab’s body. When fully cooked, the meat will be opaque and white. The shells also turn a bright orange-red color when done.
Step-by-Step Cooking Methods
There are several excellent methods for cooking a whole king crab. Let’s look at some of the most popular techniques.
Boiling
Boiling is a quick, simple way to cook a whole crab that keeps the meat moist and tender.
- Fill a large pot with enough water to fully submerge the crab. Add 2 tablespoons of sea salt.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Using tongs, slowly lower the crab into the pot. Cover and return to a boil.
- Once boiling again, start timing based on the crab’s size. Cook for the recommended time.
- Use tongs to carefully transfer the cooked crab to a platter to cool before serving.
Steaming
Steaming is another great cooking method that helps lock in moisture and flavor.
- Fill a large pot with 2-3 inches of water and bring to a boil.
- Place a steaming rack in the pot and put the crab on top. Cover tightly.
- Steam the crab for the recommended time based on its size, maintaining a steady boil.
- Use tongs to remove the crab onto a platter once fully steamed.
Baking
For a unique flavor twist, try baking the crab:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place crab in a baking dish and coat with olive oil, butter, garlic, lemon juice, etc.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the shell is orange-red and the meat is opaque.
- Baste the crab with pan juices during baking for extra moisture.
Grilling
Grilling imparts a lovely smoky, charred flavor.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush the crab with olive oil and garlic butter.
- Grill the crab for 5-6 minutes per side until lightly charred.
Serving and Eating the Cooked King Crab
Once cooked, use kitchen shears to cut open the shell and extract the delicious meat inside. Crack the legs and claws with a seafood cracker or mallet. King crab pairs beautifully with melted butter, lemon wedges, garlic aioli, or a tangy cocktail sauce. For an elegant presentation, serve the whole cooked crab on a platter with your desired sauces.
With its sweet flavor and tender texture, king crab is a real treat. Follow these tips for cooking a whole king crab at home. Taking the time to properly prepare and cook it results in an amazing gourmet meal that is sure to impress your guests.
Step 2: How to Cook Live King Crab
Boiling is the go-to method because it keeps the meat juicy and tender.
1️⃣ Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. 2️⃣ Add 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon of water for extra flavor. 3️⃣ Drop the crab in the pot and make sure it’s fully submerged. 4️⃣ Boil for 10-12 minutes (add 3-5 minutes for extra-large crabs). 5️⃣ Remove and let it cool before serving.
Pro Tip: Add bay leaves, garlic, and lemon slices to the water for extra flavor!
Steaming helps lock in the natural sweetness of the crab.
1️⃣ Bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a large pot with a steaming rack. 2️⃣ Place the crab on the rack and cover. 3️⃣ Steam for 10-12 minutes, then let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Baking is great if you love garlic butter-infused seafood.
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). 2️⃣ Place the crab in a baking dish and brush it with melted butter, garlic, and lemon juice. 3️⃣ Bake for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
Want to take your crab to the next level? Try grilling!
1️⃣ Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. 2️⃣ Brush the crab legs with olive oil & garlic butter. 3️⃣ Grill for 5-6 minutes per side until lightly charred.
Want to see these methods in action? Check out our cooking videos on the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel!
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️ Step 3: How to Serve King Crab
✔️ Use kitchen shears – Cut open the shell to extract the meat. ✔️ Crack the claws & legs – Use a seafood cracker or nutcracker. ✔️ Serve with butter & lemon – Melted butter, garlic butter, or a Cajun dipping sauce all work great.
Pro Tip: Pair it with roasted potatoes, grilled corn, and a crisp white wine for a next-level seafood feast.
How to prepare the king crab
FAQ
How long to cook a whole king crab?
1️⃣ Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. 2️⃣ Add 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon of water for extra flavor. 3️⃣ Drop the crab in the pot and make sure it’s fully submerged. 4️⃣ Boil for 10-12 minutes (add 3-5 minutes for extra-large crabs).Feb 2, 2025
Is it better to cook king crab frozen or thawed?
While you can cook crab legs from a frozen state, they are more challenging to work with. They cook more slowly and unevenly, and their texture tends to be less supple, even with firm-fleshed varieties. It is always best to thaw crab legs before you prepare, cook, and consume them.
How long do you cook king crab in boiling water?
Place the crab legs in the pot on a rack or colander over the boiling water. Cover with a lid and cook for six to ten minutes, or until the crab is completely heated. When they begin to omit a “cooked odor,” they should be ready to eat. Serve with garlic butter, lemon wedges, and enjoy!
How long to boil 10 pounds of crab legs?
Fill large stockpot or Dutch oven half full with water; add seafood seasoning and salt. Heat to boiling. Add crab legs. Cook 3 to 5 minutes or just until heated.