How to Cook Crab Clusters for Perfectly Sweet and Tender Results

Crab clusters also known as snow crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat. With their sweet, delicate flavor and tender meat, crab clusters can instantly elevate any meal from boring to extraordinary. While you can certainly order crab clusters at a restaurant, preparing them at home is surprisingly easy, affordable, and rewarding.

In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook crab clusters at home like a pro. You’ll learn how to select fresh crab clusters, prep and cook them properly, make mouthwatering dipping sauces, and get every last bit of meat from the shells. Follow these tips and you’ll be serving up restaurant-worthy crab cluster dishes in no time!

Selecting Fresh Crab Clusters

The first step to cooking delicious crab clusters is choosing high-quality crab. Here are a few tips for picking out the best of the bunch:

• Buy fresh not frozen – Fresh crab has a sweeter flavor and firmer texture. The shells should look clean not slimy or dripping.

• Look for leg clusters, not whole crabs – Leg clusters are easier to eat. Unless you want to wrestle a whole crab, opt for just the legs.

• Choose solid heavy clusters – Heavier legs mean more meat inside. Avoid any clusters that feel hollow or lightweight.

• Pick active, lively crab – Live crab will move its legs and claws, indicating it’s freshly caught and healthy.

• Check for an ocean smell, not fishy – Good crab should smell briny, like the ocean. Fishy odors mean the meat is old.

Following these tips will lead you to plump, juicy, delicious crab clusters ready to be cooked up in your kitchen.

Prepping Crab Clusters Before Cooking

Once you’ve selected fresh, high-quality crab clusters, you’ll need to prep them before cooking. Here are the key steps:

• Rinse thoroughly – Give the crab legs a good rinse under cold water to remove any debris.

• Check for shell pieces – Pick off any remaining feathers or loose shell pieces with your fingers.

• Split the shell – For easier meat removal later, use kitchen shears to cut a slit along the bottom length of each shell.

• Remove innards – In the center of the cluster, discard any inedible innards with a spoon.

With the crab prepped, it’s now ready to become a delicious meal. Time to move on to cooking!

Cooking Crab Legs – Stovetop, Oven, and Grill Methods

There are several excellent options for cooking crab legs at home. The three most popular methods are:

1. Stovetop

Cooking crab on the stovetop is quick and easy:

• Fill a large pot with 1-2 inches of water and bring to a boil.

• Gently add crab clusters and cover.

• Allow crab to steam for 4-5 minutes until the meat is opaque.

• Drain and serve immediately with melted butter, lemon, etc.

2. Oven Baked

For oven baked crab, follow these steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.

• Place crab legs on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil or melted butter.

• Bake 10-12 minutes until opaque and shells turn red.

• Squeeze lemon over top and serve.

3. Grilled

Grilling brings out delicious smoky flavors:

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

• Brush crab with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

• Grill legs 2-3 minutes per side until opaque.

• Serve with grilled lemon wedges.

No matter which cooking method you choose, the crab is done when the opaque, white flesh turns from translucent to fully opaque. Avoid overcooking or it can become rubbery.

Now let’s look at making some sensational sauces and dips to really bring your cooked crab to life.

Crafting Perfect Dipping Sauces

Crab legs cooked simply with lemon and butter are delicious. But take them to the next level with one of these easy, homemade sauces:

Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

• Melt 1 stick butter in a skillet over medium heat.

• Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes.

• Stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp parsley, salt, and pepper.

• Gently simmer until thickened and pour over crab.

Old Bay Remoulade

• In a bowl, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp each lemon juice, minced celery, and Old Bay seasoning.

• Mix in 2 tsp horseradish, 1 minced garlic clove, salt, and pepper.

• Chill at least 30 minutes before serving with crab.

Brown Butter with Herbs

• In a skillet, melt 1 stick butter over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until light golden brown.

• Remove from heat and mix in 1 tbsp each chopped parsley, tarragon, and lemon juice.

• Immediately pour over hot crab legs.

With the right sauce, your crab goes from great to extraordinary. Now let’s get that sweet meat out of the shells.

Extracting Crab Meat from the Shells

Crab leg clusters contain plenty of delicious meat. With the proper technique, you can get every last bit:

• Use your hands – Don’t bother with fancy tools. Your hands work best.

• Work over a bowl – This catches any meat that falls out as you work.

• Focus on the joints – Bend legs at joints and work your thumbs in to pop sections apart.

• Pull slowly – Yanking can make the meat tear. Gently ease shells open instead.

• Use a knife for tight spots – Insert the tip of a knife into tight spaces and carefully twist to open.

• Suck out hard-to-reach meat – Use your mouth to suck out meat left in small crevices.

With practice, you’ll be able to remove virtually all the crab meat, leaving nothing behind.

Now that you’re an expert, here are some quick serving ideas and recipes to try your skills:

• Crab Louie Salad – Flake crab over lettuce, tomato, avocado, egg, and dressing.

• Crab Cakes – Combine crab with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Pan fry into savory cakes.

• Crab Stuffed Mushrooms – Stuff large mushrooms with crab, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, and white wine. Bake until browned.

• Crab Legs with Garlic Butter – Simply steam or bake legs, then toss in melted garlic butter for dipping.

Whether enjoying crab clusters on their own or incorporating them into recipes, following these tips will ensure tender, sweet, succulent results every time. Now get cooking and savor the delightful flavors of fresh crab!