Dungeness crab is a tasty Pacific Coast delicacy enjoyed for its sweet, tender meat When cooking fresh Dungeness crab at home, steaming is one of the best methods for drawing out its signature flavor while keeping the meat moist But nailing the steaming time is key to getting ideal results. Undercooking leaves the crab unsafe to eat, while overcooking can make the meat rubbery. So how long should you steam Dungeness crab legs?
Determining Doneness Based on Size
The steaming time for Dungeness crab legs depends largely on their size and thickness. Here are general guidelines:
- Smaller legs (1-1.5 lbs): 8-10 minutes
- Medium legs (1.5-2.5 lbs): 10-15 minutes
- Larger legs (2.5-3 lbs): 15-18 minutes
- Jumbo legs (3-4 lbs): 18-22 minutes
For whole Dungeness crabs, increase the time to 20-25 minutes for a 2 lb crab and 25-30 minutes for a 3 lb crab. Adjust accordingly for larger sizes.
Always err on the side of slightly undercooking, as you can quickly finish off for another 1-2 minutes. Overcooked crab legs get rubbery and lose moisture.
Checking for Visual Cues of Doneness
In addition to timing check for visual signs that your Dungeness crab legs are cooked through
- Bright orange-red shell color
- Opaque, pearly white meat
- Meat that easily separates from the shell
Give the legs a twist – they should detach cleanly when fully cooked. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches at least 140°F
Why Proper Steaming Time Matters
Taking the time to perfectly steam Dungeness crab legs makes a big difference in the eating experience. Proper steaming:
- Ensures food safety by cooking to proper internal temperature
- Keeps the delicate meat tender and moist
- Allows the sweet crab flavor to shine through
- Prevents the meat from getting rubbery, dry or stringy
So don’t sacrifice texture and taste by rushing the process. Patience pays off for fabulous crab!
Tips for Steaming Dungeness Crab Legs
Follow these tips for foolproof steamed Dungeness crab legs every time:
- Use a steaming pot or basket to keep the legs elevated above boiling water.
- Add aromatics like lemon, garlic, and herbs to the water for extra flavor.
- Bring the water to a rapid boil before adding legs. This creates sufficient steam.
- Resist opening the pot during steaming to maintain heat and moisture.
- Use a timer and check legs at the shortest recommended time.
- Remove immediately when done and serve with melted butter for dipping.
Steaming Other Types of Crab Legs
While Dungeness is a Pacific Northwest favorite, these general guidelines can apply to cooking other varieties of crab legs like:
- King crab – Slightly shorter time due to smaller leg size
- Snow crab – Delicate texture requires less time
- Blue crab – East Coast favorite with smaller leg pieces
Adjust steaming times down slightly for these varieties, checking often for doneness cues. Proper steaming preserves the succulence of any crab variety.
Serving Suggestions for Dungeness Crab Legs
Once you’ve perfectly steamed your Dungeness crab legs, try these tasty ways to serve them:
- Classic lemon garlic butter for dipping
- In salads, seafood pasta, or risotto
- On crusty bread as open-faced crab sandwiches
- As part of a seafood boil with clams, mussels, shrimp
- In crab cakes, crab-stuffed fish, or casseroles
However you choose to enjoy them, perfectly steamed Dungeness crab legs are a delicious treat! Follow these simple guidelines on steaming times and visual cues for tender, sweet, succulent crab every time.
What to serve with
These meaty crab legs are great with something as simple as duck fat fries, but they are also amazing with (or in) creamy smoke mad and cheese, alongside a helping of smoked potato salad, or even some grilled corn in husks so you don’t have to worry about utensils.
Stick with a buttery white wine like Chardonnay or a light fruity Pinot Grigio or Gris. And occasionally live on the wild side and pair crab with a crisp Rosé.
Refrigerator: Double-wrap in plastic wrap tightly so it remains fresh and stored in the refrigerator. If you really want to keep it extra fresh, place ice in a Ziploc bag and place it on top of the dish covered in plastic wrap. If stored properly, leftovers will last up to four days. You can eat the leftovers cold or in a variety of dishes.
Leftovers: Use up leftovers in a crab omelet or eggs benedict. Make a deviled crab and spoon it over grilled steaks. Stuff leftover Dungeness crab meat in ravioli or seafood pasta. Simply put, most dishes can be elevated with a little leftover crab.
What are Dungeness Crabs
These delectable crustaceans are native to the icy waters of the Pacific Ocean of North America, from Alaska down to California. They are prized for their sweet and tender meat. Just like with rich Stone crab claws from Florida, these crab legs are best when in season. Harvested from late November through June, whole Dungeness crabs are smaller than King crab or snow crabs but are a great option for seafood lovers.
You can find whole Dungeness crab or crab leg clusters when in season at your local Costco or fishmonger. If you’re native to the Pacific Northwest, you may even find them at your local grocery store. Alternatively, if you’re not on the West Coast, you can order them online, but be sure someone will be home to immediately get your package on ice or in the fridge, as seafood should never be left out.
Look for red shells and white meat in the body of the cluster. There should be a sweet, mild oceanic smell. Don’t buy any legs with black or darkened color on the meat or off-putting smells.
Dungeness crabs are meatier crabs, with a sweet, rich flavor perfect for all sorts of dishes, from cioppino and crab bisque to crab cakes or indulgent crab imperial atop a juicy steak. But to truly celebrate their flavor, we love these Dungeness crab leg clusters in the simplest of recipes, steamed and served with a little butter. It’s the best way to really taste the delicate flavor.
- Dungeness crab leg clusters
- Old Bay – or you’re favorite seafood spice blend. But let’s be real; Old Bay is pretty good.
- Butter – most of the time, we are freaks for unsalted butter when cooking, but this is one of those rare occasions where we love dipping the sweet crab meat into melted salted butter. Toss in some garlic confit for garlic butter sauce.
- Fresh herbs, like minced parsley and chives, and fresh lemon wedges for garnish
How to steam Dungeness crab legs
FAQ
How long do you steam Dungeness crabs for?
Fill pots with water until water line is just below bottom of each steamer basket, about 1 to 2 inches deep. Bring water to a boil over high. Divide crabs evenly between steamer baskets. Cover pots, and steam crabs until shells turn bright orange, 18 to 20 minutes.
How long do you steam crab legs for?
(Note: Do not lower basket into water when steaming.) As the water starts to boil again, begin timing. Steam the crab legs for 15 to 20 minutes, until you begin to smell their aroma. Make sure not to overcook the legs.
Is it better to steam or boil dungeness crab legs?
One of the most popular ways to cook a crab, especially in Maryland and along the eastern shore, steaming provides an even and gentle cook for the delicate meat. The extreme heat caused by the method brings exquisite flavor into it without as much of a threat of overcooking.Dec 13, 2022
How long do you cook Dungeness crab legs for?
Whole fresh Dungeness crab is plunged in to boiling (salted) water for 20 minutes or slightly less. Fresh crab legs in similar style take 6 to 10 minutes based on size.