Crab legs are an expensive delicacy, but one you have to work to enjoy. In a restaurant setting, its cracking the legs open thats a chore. This is not a good food to eat on a date because it can be messy. It doesn’t matter if it’s snow crab, king crab, or a different kind. The tasty meat makes the work of cooking, cracking, and cleaning it well worth it.
For people who have never done it before, cleaning crab legs can be just as scary as having to crack them open in public. But with the benefit of a few tips, youll soon be cleaning crab legs like a pro. The first step, naturally, is picking out live crabs, or buying frozen crab legs.
The first choice is best because, even though it costs more, crab meat that has just been cooked is the softest and tastiest. But most home cooks don’t want to have to prepare the food right away, which is what you have to do if you buy live crab. Frozen crab legs are a popular alternative. Buying frozen crab legs is also helpful because you don’t have to cook and clean the whole crab.
After buying the crab, you should give it a good rinse to get rid of any dirt or other things that might still be on the shell before cooking. If your crab is frozen, this step can be skipped. After youve cooked the meat, youll need to rinse it again.
Succulent crab legs make for an impressive and delicious meal But before you can dive in and enjoy their sweet meat, preparing crab legs requires some key steps One important decision is whether to wash the legs before cooking. So do you wash crab legs before popping them in the pot?
While recipes differ, washing crab legs before cooking is recommended. Washing removes grit and bacteria, resulting in better flavor and food safety. Read on for a complete guide to prepping crab legs like a pro.
Let’s start with an overview of the tasty crab leg varieties available:
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Snow crab legs – Legs of snow crab caught in Alaska or Canada. Sold pre-cooked or raw. Delicate, sweet flavor.
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King crab legs – Much larger legs from Alaskan king crab Naturally pre-cooked. Robust, rich taste.
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Dungeness crab legs – Shorter legs of Pacific Dungeness crab. Sold live, raw, or pre-cooked. Sweet, nutty notes.
Pre-cooked legs just require reheating. Raw legs need full cooking. Proper prep brings out the best texture and taste.
Should You Wash Crab Legs Before Cooking?
Washing crab legs before cooking does several beneficial things
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Removes grit and sand – A rinse lifts off any debris clinging to the shell. This prevents biting down on grit while eating.
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Gets rid of bacteria – A wash decreases bacteria load both on the shell and around joints. Safer for your health.
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Enhances flavor – Clean crab legs let the sweetness shine rather than tasting muddied.
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Lets seasonings absorb – Spices and sauces coat better on a clean shell for more flavor.
Soap or detergent isn’t needed. A cold water rinse before cooking makes crab legs their best.
How to Clean Raw vs. Pre-Cooked Crab Legs
Raw and pre-cooked crab legs need slightly different treatment:
For raw legs:
- Rinse under cold water before cooking.
- Scrub with a brush or rub firmly to remove grit.
- Pat dry with paper towels.
For pre-cooked legs:
- Rinse under cold water to wash away any preservatives.
- Soak in cold water for 30 minutes if sodium is high.
- Pat dry with paper towels.
Both benefit from a good cleaning before enjoying their fabulous flavor.
Preparing Raw Crab Legs for Cooking
Preparing raw crab legs from scratch involves a few steps:
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Choose fresh raw legs – Look for a bright white interior and firm texture. Avoid yellowing.
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Wash thoroughly – Use cold water to rinse away any grime on legs.
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Pat completely dry – Moisture prevents browning when sauteing.
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Cut if desired – Slice larger legs into smaller pieces if needed.
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Season as wanted – Rub, brush, or marinate legs with spices and sauces.
With raw crab legs prepped, you’re ready for the cooking method of your choice.
Cooking Methods for Perfect Crab Every Time
Cooking brings out crab’s sweet succulence. Try these simple methods:
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Steaming – The classic way to cook crab. Steam until the meat is opaque.
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Boiling – Submerge legs in boiling, salted water then simmer until done.
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Sauteing – Pan fry seasoned legs in butter or oil over medium-high heat.
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Grilling – Toss legs on a hot grill for smoky, charred flavor. Baste with sauce.
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Baking – Roast legs coated in spices, lemon, or sauce at 375°F until heated through.
Proper cooking gives crab legs an irresistible tenderness. Now that’s worth cracking open!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Crab Leg Meat
Leftover crab meat requires some care:
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Refrigerate meat within 2 hours of cooking in an airtight container.
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Use within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety.
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Reheat to 165°F before eating leftovers. Microwave or simmer in sauce.
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Avoid freezing cooked meat more than 2 months. This causes texture and flavor loss.
With a little planning, you can enjoy crab meat for multiple meals after cooking.
Serving Up Your Succulent Crab Legs
Crab legs deserve an elegant presentation:
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Serve cold with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges for easy appetizers.
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Crack shells ahead if desired and serve meat in shells or alone.
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Pair with melted butter and fresh herbs or bold aioli for dipping.
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Saute meat with veggies for simple crab fried rice or crab cakes.
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Turn into salad by mixing meat with greens, avocado, mango, and vinaigrette.
Get creative with your cooked crab! Complex flavors and textures complement the crab’s sweetness.
Storing Uncooked Crab Legs for Later
Both raw and cooked crab legs freeze well:
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Place legs in a single layer in an airtight freezer bag with as little air as possible.
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Squeeze out air, seal bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
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Defrost legs slowly overnight in the fridge before cooking.
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Soak thawed legs in ice water for 30 minutes to rehydrate properly.
With freezing, you can enjoy crab legs even when they are out of season.
In Summary
Crab legs make for an impressive, tasty meal. While you have options, washing crab legs before cooking maximizes food safety and infuses more flavor. Combine cleaning with proper cooking, storage, and serving techniques for crab leg perfection. Just add melted butter or tangy sauce!
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Steps for cooking and cleaning crab legs
If you bought a live crab, it’s ready to boil, with an extra tablespoon of salt added just for fun. Wait until the water boils before adding the crab legs—up to six for a big pot is a good number. Due to their shape, it may be tough to keep them completely under the water. If so, just use tongs to bend them as needed. It should only take about five minutes to cook them all the way through.
If you choose to use frozen crab, however, the crab (or individual crab legs) will need to be defrosted first. There are a couple of methods to accomplish this task. To do it quickly, put the legs in a colander and stack them on top of each other. Then, run cold water under the sink faucet. If you don’t need to hurry, take them from the freezer to the fridge and let them thaw for at least eight hours.
Once the crab legs are dethawed and boiled, then the fun starts. Yep, its time for cleaning. Make sure, though, that the boiled crab legs have had adequate time to cool. If you plan to boil a live crab, you will need to take off the legs and the main shell.
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FAQ
Should I rinse crab meat?
Is it better to clean crab before cooking?
What is the black stuff on crab legs?
Should you thaw frozen crab legs before cooking?
How do you clean crab legs before cooking?
Cleaning crab legs before cooking is a straightforward process (assuming the crabs are already pre-cooked and not live). Here’s how to do it: Thaw if frozen: If your crab legs are frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water before cleaning.
Can You reheat crab legs?
For reheating crab legs, it’s best to steam them in a pot with a few inches of water. Bring the water to a boil and drop in crab legs. Cook until warmed, about 5 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them. For reheating crab meat, you can add them to your meal just 5 minutes before you’re done cooking.
Can you cook crab legs in a baking dish?
You can bake the crab legs in a baking dish with some water at the bottom, which is basically a variation on steaming. Arrange the legs in a large baking dish, add about 1/2 inch of hot water to the bottom, cover with foil and bake at 350 F for eight to 10 minutes. You can also dry bake your crab legs.
How do you clean a crab?
Immerse them in cold water to use immediately or place them in the refrigerator so they’re cool to the touch when you clean them. Once you’ve cooked the full crab, you need to clean the meat. To properly clean a crab, you first need to remove the main shell. To remove the shell you: Firmly grasp the base of the crab with one hand.