Crab is a delicious seafood that is enjoyed around the world. However, before you can cook and eat crab, it’s important to know how to properly clean it. Cleaning crab ensures you remove any inedible parts and guts, leaving just the tasty crab meat behind.
With the right techniques and tools cleaning crab is a straightforward process. This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know about prepping crab for cooking.
Overview of Cleaning Crab
Here is a quick overview of the crab cleaning process:
- Kill live crab by boiling or steaming
- Remove top shell
- Take out viscera and guts
- Remove gills and mandibles
- Crack open body and legs
- Rinse thoroughly
- Pull out crab meat
Thoroughly cleaning the crab removes all non-edible parts. This leaves just the sweet, tender crab meat ready for your recipe.
Proper cleaning makes the difference between enjoying delicious crab and dealing with an unpleasant mouthful of cartilage or crab guts. It takes a little time and effort, but it’s worth it!
Equipment Needed
Cleaning crab requires minimal equipment. Here are the basic tools you’ll need:
- Large pot for boiling or steaming
- Sturdy kitchen shears or scissors
- Small knife or crab cracker
- Paper towels or clean kitchen towel
- Large bowl filled with ice water
- Cutting board
- Seafood fork
Specialized crab tools are not essential Most of the cleaning can be done using common kitchen tools Sturdy scissors or shears are the most helpful for quickly dismantling the crab.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions for cleaning crab before cooking
1. Prepare the Live Crab
For live crab, quickly killing it before cleaning is the most humane approach. This can be done by:
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Boiling – Drop the live crab into boiling water for about 1 minute. This will instantly kill the crab.
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Steaming – Place the live crab into a steamer basket and steam for 3-5 minutes until lifeless.
Once dead, immediately transfer the crab to a large bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process. This preserves the meat and makes the crab easier to handle.
2. Remove the Top Shell
With the crab cooled, place it top side down on a cutting board. Insert the tip of sturdy kitchen shears into the rear side of the top shell. Cut along the perimeter of the shell to remove it completely.
Discard the top shell or set it aside to use for crab stock.
3. Scoop Out the Viscera
With the top shell removed, use a small spoon or seafood fork to scoop out the viscera (internal organs and guts) from the center cavity. Scrape out all the grey/green matter and discard it.
Be sure to remove all the viscera to avoid an unpleasant texture when eating the crab.
4. Remove the Mandibles
The mandibles are the crab’s mouthparts located on the underside where the legs connect. Use shears or scissors to cut off the mandibles and discard them.
5. Remove the Apron
The apron is the small belly flap on the bottom of the crab. Simply lift up the apron and pull it off.
6. Remove the Gills
Inside the body on both sides are feathery gills. Pull these out with your fingers or tweezers.
Remove the gills carefully to avoid breaking them which can release odor and fluids.
7. Rinse the Crab
At this point the crab should be free of viscera, guts, mandibles, and gills. Give it a thorough rinse under cold running water, getting into all the cracks and crevices.
Rinsing removes any remaining particles and results in cleaner tasting crab meat.
8. Crack the Body and Legs
Place the crab body top-side down on a cutting board. Using a crab cracker, mallet, or the back of a heavy knife, crack the body and legs.
Cracking allows easier access to remove the meat. Take care not to shatter the crab.
9. Extract the Crab Meat
Finally, pick out all the crab meat in large chunks from the body and legs. Use a seafood fork for ease and speed.
Take care to remove every bit of meat and cartilage. Discard any remaining shell fragments.
Tips for Cleaning Crab
Follow these handy tips for a smooth crab cleaning process:
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Clean crab just before cooking to retain freshness. Do not clean too far in advance.
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Work over a colander or bowl to catch any juices, guts or particles.
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Rinse tools and cutting board immediately to avoid odors lingering.
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Consider wearing kitchen gloves to protect hands and simplify handling.
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For convenience, purchase crab already killed and cleaned. Just double check for any remaining viscera.
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Cook crab right away or store cleaned meat covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
What to Do With the Scraps
Don’t throw away those crab shells, legs, and top shells! They can be used to make delicious crab stock.
Simmer the shells in water with vegetables, herbs and spices to extract delicious crab flavor. Strain and use this stock for seafood soups, stews, and sauces.
The top shell makes an impressive presentation for serving crab cakes or crab dip.
Ready to Cook Your Crab
Now that you know how to clean a crab, you’re ready to cook and enjoy this succulent seafood in your favorite recipes. Taking the time to properly clean crab ensures the best flavor and experience eating it.
Some popular ways to cook cleaned crab include:
- Crab cakes
- Crab dip
- Whole roasted or broiled crab
- Crab legs
- Crab bisque
The sweet, delicate flavor of fresh crab is perfect for everything from impressive main courses to easy appetizers. Impress your family and friends with your expertly cleaned and prepared crab next time.
Community Q&ASearch
- What’s the best way to cook the legs? ︀岙 First, boil water. Then, add the legs and boil for 15 minutes. Ten minutes of soaking in cold water after taking them out. Then, cut the legs into thin pieces. Wrap them in flour and bread crumbs. Heat the oil in a wok over low heat and fry the crab pieces until they turn golden yellow. Take it off the heat and sprinkle cumin on top.
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Removing Unwanted Parts
Thanks for reading! If you want to know more about cooking, be sure to read our full interview with Marrow Private Chefs.
How to clean a crab
FAQ
How do you clean a crab before you cook it?
How to clean out a crab shell?
How do you clean a crab?
Boil the Crab: Boil in salted water until red, then cool in ice water. Shell Removal: Remove the shell to expose the insides. Remove Gills and Mandibles: Discard these inedible parts. Clean the Inside: Remove the hepatopancreas and rinse under cold water. Rinse: Clean the crab under cold water.
How do you clean a cooked Dungeness crab?
A1: The best method to clean a live crab before cooking is to boil it in salted water until it turns red, cool it in ice water, then remove the shell, gills, mandibles, and hepatopancreas, followed by a thorough rinse under cold water. Q2: Can you explain how to clean a cooked Dungeness crab?
How do you kill a crab before cooking?
Kill the crab first, if necessary. If you purchased a live crab, it is necessary to kill it before cooking it. The simplest way to kill a live crab is to immerse the crab in boiling water for 60 seconds. Then, use tongs to remove the crab from the water and place it in an ice bath to cool. Thaw a frozen crab.
Do you boil crabs before cooking?
If you’re choosing crabs from a tank or cooler, look for feisty specimens. You’ll want to cook the crabs before you clean them. Boiling is more common, but steaming crabs emerge from the pot less water-logged and more filled with their own crabby juices. To Boil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil.