These Crab Claws are meaty and delicious with succulent seafood flavors. Skies crab claws or Jonah crab claws? They’re both easy to make and fun to eat with friends!
Crab claws are full of tasty meat and look so attractive with their vibrant colors. Sometimes they are served cold with cocktail sauce, but we love them warm dipped in melted butter and fresh lemon juice!
This dish is perfect for any celebration including the holidays, an anniversary, birthday or even Valentine’s. Like crab legs, you can serve them as an interesting starter or as a main dish with some side dishes.
Cracking open a perfectly cooked crab claw to access the sweet, succulent meat inside is one of life’s great joys for seafood lovers. Getting that texture just right is key, and boiling is a popular cooking method to achieve crab claw perfection. But how long should you boil those claws?
It’s a great question for aspiring home cooks looking to master crab claw preparation. Undercooking leaves raw, unpleasant meat while overcooking yields unpleasant rubbery textures. Let’s explore proper boiling times and techniques so your crab claws turn out tender and delicious every time.
Key Tips for Boiling Crab Claws
Here are some key tips to boil crab claws correctly
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Cook thawed claws Defrost frozen claws overnight in the fridge
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Use a large pot with ample water and a steamer insert.
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Season the boiling water with Old Bay or crab boil spices.
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Bring the water to a rolling boil before adding claws.
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Time the cooking from when claws are added.
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Test doneness after 6-8 minutes.
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Drain immediately after finishing cooking.
Now let’s look closely at ideal cooking durations.
Recommended Boil Times for Crab Claws
For boiled crab claws, the sweet spot for boil times is generally 6-8 minutes once the pot returns to a boil. Here are more details:
- Small claws: Boil for 6 minutes
- Medium claws: Boil for 7 minutes
- Jumbo claws: Boil for 8 minutes maximum
These times allow the heat to penetrate the shells fully and cook the meat without overdoing it.
When in doubt, err on the lower end of the time range. You can always boil a bit longer if needed but you can’t reverse overcooking!
Checking for Doneness
After boiling crab claws the recommended time, confirm they are fully cooked by:
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Looking for opaque white meat
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Testing that meat is firm, not translucent
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Ensuring shells are bright red
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Cracking one open to check the interior
The meat should be pearly white and solid throughout when claws are done. Stop boiling immediately once the meat reaches the ideal cooked state.
Considerations by Crab Claw Type
Ideal boil times can vary slightly depending on the type of crab claw:
Stone crab claws – Because they have thick shells, these claws take a little longer. Boil for 6-9 minutes.
Snow crab claws – With their thinner shells, they cook faster in 4-6 minutes.
King crab claws – Their larger size requires 8-10 minutes to fully cook.
Dungeness crab claws – Medium-sized claws need about 6-8 minutes.
Gauge boil times based on claw thickness and size. Thicker and larger claws will need those extra minutes.
Serving Perfectly Cooked Crab Claws
Once you’ve mastered the ideal boil times, here are some tasty ways to serve your claws:
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Crack them open and dip the meat in melted butter.
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Enjoy with classic cocktail sauce for dipping.
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Make crab tacos or lettuce wraps with the meat.
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Mix into pasta, rice dishes or crab cakes.
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Top fresh salads or make crab stuffed avocados.
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Serve warm with drawn butter as an appetizer.
Proper cooking lets the natural sweetness of the crab meat shine through in any dish!
Common Crab Claw Cooking Questions
For those new to preparing these delicious crustaceans, here are answers to some frequent cooking questions:
Should I clean claws before boiling? Yes, rinse under cold water before cooking. Gently scrub with a brush if needed.
Can I boil different seafood together? You can, but cook times vary, so watch ingredients closely.
Do I need a steamer insert? It helps ensure even cooking but a boiling pot works too.
Can I use seasonings in the water? Yes, Old Bay, crab boil, garlic, lemon etc. add flavor.
Is it done if the shell turns red? Red shells mean they are close, but check the meat too.
Can I steam instead of boiling? Yes, steaming is an excellent alternative cooking method!
Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor
Now that you know precisely how long to boil crab claws to achieve crab claw nirvana, it’s time to get cooking! Be sure to remove the cooked claws from the heat immediately so they don’t overcook. Proper boiling times help unlock the full potential of these luscious crustaceans from the sea. Soon you’ll be cracking open claws like a seasoned pro.
So grab some fresh claws from your local fish market next time they’re in stock. Then prepare your boiling pot, block out 6-8 minutes on your calendar, and treat yourself to some of the ocean’s finest delicacies. Your tastebuds will thank you for taking the time to master the art of boiling crab claws to finger-licking perfection.
How to Cook Crab Claws
There are 6-8 claws per pound for medium-size claws. So, you should set aside ½ pound for each person’s starter and a pound for each person’s main course. Remember that a pound only yields about 1/3 pound of meat due to their thick shells.
Most crab claws are fully cooked and sold frozen. As a result, you’ll need to thaw them to serve chilled and ideally before reheating too. Defrost them overnight in the fridge or, for a quicker option, under cold running water for 20-30 minutes.
To reheat the claws, simply boil or steam for 3-4 minutes. Resist the temptation to heat for longer, as the flesh is delicate and can easily overcook!.
Another option is baking at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. However, it’s a slower process with the risk of uneven heating just like with the microwave.
Serving chilled: Placing the crab claws on a bed of crushed ice will help to keep them cool. Add some cocktail sauce for dipping and a garnish of fresh lemon wedges.
Serving warm: Put them out with melted butter or clarified butter and fresh lemon wedges for garnish.
Add traditional sides like steamed rice, corn on the cob, and boiled potatoes to turn them into a main dish.
It’s helpful to have a set of seafood crackers on hand to help get the meat out of the shells, no matter how you serve them.
Types of Crab Claws
This is what you’ll see most often in the U.S.:
- Stone crab claws are a tasty treat that are caught from October to May in Florida and all year on the west coast, where they are known as rock crabs. The meat is soft, juicy, and full of flavor. After being caught, each crab is put back into the water to let its claw grow back naturally.
- Jonah Crab Claws: These claws come from a type of crab related to the Dungeness crab. They are a little bigger than stone crab claws and are caught off the coast of New England. They’re a little cheaper than stone crabs because their meat is milder and flakier, but they’re still very tasty.
Some fishmongers occasionally sell king crab claws and snow crab claws separately from the legs. This crab meat is exquisite but requires more time to thaw and reheat.
Cooking Tips : How to Boil Crab Claws
How long do you boil crab claws?
Boil the crab claws for 6 minutes. Use tongs or oven mitts to grasp the claws and gently place them in the pot of hot water. Once the claws are in the water, cover the pot and let them cook. Don’t leave the claws in the hot water for more than 6 minutes or the crab meat will get tough.
How long do you cook crab claws?
Be sure to use tongs to avoid getting burned by the hot water. Place the claws in the pot, making sure they are completely submerged in the water. Allow the claws to cook for about 5-8 minutes, depending on the size. After 5-8 minutes, remove the crab claws from the pot using tongs. Place them in a large bowl or on a platter.
Are stone crab claws cooked in boiling water?
Captain Stone Crab Claws are cooked in boiling water as soon as they’re pulled from the sea to keep the meat inside them from sticking. Stone crab claws are mostly eaten as whole claws, but they can also be used for steaks or stew meat.
How do you steam stone crab claws?
Rinse stone crab claws under cool running water to remove debris and dirt. Place a steaming basket in a large pot and fill it with about an inch of water, ensuring it is below the steaming basket’s level. Place the claws into the pot and cover it with the lid. Bring the water to a boil over high heat and let the claws steam for 5 minutes.