How Long To Boil Crab: A Complete Guide To Perfectly Cooked Crustaceans

These sought-after West Coast crustaceans don’t yield their sweet meat easily. Cooking, cleaning, cracking, and shelling crab is a chore.

The people behind the seafood counter are friendly and willing to help. The crabs are almost always freshly cooked, and they’ll clean and crack them for free. They also offer shelled cooked crab, for a (sometimes hefty) price.

If you want to save money or just feel like you’ve beaten the beasts and filled your kitchen with the smell of salty fish as they cook in a big pot on the stove, buy them alive and do it yourself. Here’s how.

Boiling crab to create a mouthwatering crab feast is a treasured tradition in many coastal regions. However, knowing exactly how long to boil crab can be confusing for beginners.

Crab species, size, where they were caught, and your altitude can all impact boiling times Follow this complete guide to learn how long you should boil different types of crab to achieve tender, juicy meat.

Factors That Influence Crab Boil Times

Before we dive into specifics. here are the key factors that dictate how long crab needs to boil

Type of crab – The variety of crab makes a big difference.Large Dungeness crabs take longer than smaller blue crabs or rock crabs.
Crab size – Within a certain species, larger crabs need more time. A 3-pound Dungeness requires longer than a 2-pounder.
Geography – Where the crab is from impacts its density and boil time. A Pacific Dungeness crab boils differently than an Atlantic blue crab.
Altitude – At higher elevations, water boils at lower temperatures which increases cooking time. An adjustment is needed for mountain towns.
Number of crabs – Boiling a full pot lengthens total cook time compared to just a few crabs.

Now let’s explore specific boil times for popular crab varieties.

How Long To Boil Dungeness Crab

Dungeness is a Pacific Northwest favorite known for its sweet, succulent meat. Due to their larger size, they require more time boiling than other crab species.

For raw Dungeness crabs

1 to 1 1⁄2 pounds – Boil 10 to 13 minutes
1 1⁄2 to 2 1⁄2 pounds – Boil 15 minutes
3 pounds – Boil 18 to 20 minutes

For previously frozen Dungeness:

1 to 1 1⁄2 pounds – Boil 5 to 7 minutes
1 1⁄2 to 2 1⁄2 pounds – Boil 7 to 10 minutes
3 pounds – Boil 10 to 15 minutes

Adjust times up by a few minutes if boiling at high altitude. And extend your boil if cooking a very full pot.

How Long To Boil Blue Crab

Blue crab is the iconic crab feast shellfish along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Due to their smaller size vs. Dungeness, they require less time to boil.

For raw blue crabs:

Medium crabs – Boil 12 to 15 minutes
Large crabs – Boil 14 to 18 minutes

For previously frozen:

Medium crabs – Boil 5 to 7 minutes
Large crabs – Boil 7 to 10 minutes

Add time for higher elevations or crowded pots.

How Long To Boil Snow Crab Legs

Prized for their long, chunky legs, snow crab (also called Queen crab) are quick to boil since only the legs are cooked.

For raw legs:

Medium legs – Boil 4 to 5 minutes
Large legs – Boil 5 to 7 minutes

For frozen:

Legs – Boil 2 to 3 minutes just to reheat.

Check for doneness early to avoid overcooking.

How Long To Boil King Crab Legs

The extra-large legs of King crab, found in Alaska, cook faster than you may assume for their size.

For raw legs:

Legs – Boil 6 to 8 minutes

For frozen:

Legs – Boil 3 to 5 minutes to reheat fully

Their thickness lets King crab legs hold up well to brief boiling.

How To Tell When Crab Is Done Boiling

Instead of just going by time, use these visual cues to know your crab is ready:

Bright red color develops on the shell
Legs pull off cleanly from the body
Meat is opaque and flakes off in chunks

When cracked open, meat should be moist and juicy, not dry or mushy if overcooked.

Tips for Successful Crab Boiling

To get the best results as you boil crab:

Use a large pot with a tight fitting lid and full water to cover
Don’t crowd pot – boil in batches if needed
Bring water to a rolling boil before adding crab
Drop crabs in gently to avoid cracking shells
Start timing once water resumes boiling after adding
Shock in an ice bath or rinse with cool water to stop cooking
Let crab cool briefly before cracking and eating

With this guide, you’ll be prepared to boil any crab variety perfectly. Just adjust times based on type, size, and other factors. Soon you’ll be enjoying tender, succulent crab meat at its finest. Give crab boiling a try and let the feast commence!

how long do i boil crab

How to Cook Crab

1. Keep live crabs loosely covered in the refrigerator up to 12 hours. Place crabs carefully in a pan, leaving 3 to 4 inches of space below the edge of the pan. Hold them by the back, between the legs. Remove crabs and fill pan with enough water to cover crabs by 2 to 3 inches. Cover pan and bring water to a boil over high heat.

2. Holding each crab as described above, drop it headfirst into the boiling water one at a time. If you have too much water, pour it out and throw it away. Cover pan and start timing. When water resumes boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Cook 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-pound crabs 15 minutes, 3-pound crabs about 20 minutes.

3. Drain crabs; to be able to handle quickly, rinse briefly with cool water.

How to Clean, Crack, and Shell Crab

1. Pull off and discard triangular flap from belly side.

2. Turn crab belly side down; pulling from the rear end, lift off back shell. Drain and discard liquid from shell. Take soft, golden crab butter and white crab fat out of the shell and put them in a small bowl. You can eat them with crab or mix them into a sauce for dipping. If using back shell for garnish, break bony section (mouth) from front end of shell and discard. Rinse shell well and drain.

3. If the reddish membrane covering the middle hasn’t come off with the back, pull it off and throw away along with any loose pieces on the body section. Scoop out any remaining golden butter and add to bowl. Pull off and discard long, spongy gills from sides of body. Rinse body well with cool water.

4. Twist legs and claws from body. Using a nutcracker or wood mallet, crack the shell of each leg and claw section. With a knife, cut the body into quarters.

5. Break the legs and claws apart. Take out the meat with your fingers, a small fork, a pick, or the tip of a crab leg. Pull body sections apart and dig out pockets of meat. Discard shells. There is 7 1/2 to 8 ounces (1/3 to 1 1/2 cups) of meat in a cooked, cleaned 1 3/4- to 2-pound crab (with back shell). Bigger crabs don’t always have more meat.

How Long Do I Boil Crab? : Seafood & Outdoor Cooking

FAQ

Can you boil crab too long?

Don’t crowd the stockpot when following this Boiled Crab Legs recipe; cook the legs in batches. Frozen crab legs are often precooked, so you’re just reheating them in the boiling water. If that’s the case, be careful not to overcook them, as the meat will toughen and lose its delicate flavor.

How do you know if crab is undercooked?

The Crab Shell Inspection Test: Check the Outside Luckily, you won’t need to crack it to examine the meat inside. Fully cooked stone crabs have shells that are bright red or orange. If yours is green or brown, you can assume it has not been cooked.

How long to boil crab frozen?

However, frozen crab legs only need to be boiled for about six to eight minutes per pound. Frozen crab legs from the grocery store are typically pre-cooked, so you’re essentially reheating the crab legs. Be careful not to overcook them — any longer than the allotted time and you risk rubbery, hard crab meat.

How long to boil 5 pounds of crab legs?

Boiling Crab Legs: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Place the crab legs in the pot, gently bending at the joints if needed, to make sure they’re completely submerged in the water. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they’re heated through.

How long does it take to cook a boiled crab?

The cooking time for boiled crabs typically ranges from 10-30 minutes, depending on the size and type of crab. Steaming Method: Steaming is another popular method for cooking crabs. It involves placing the crabs in a steamer basket above boiling water, allowing them to cook through the steam.

How long do you boil blue crabs?

For small blue crabs, it is recommended to boil them for about 8-10 minutes. This will ensure that the meat is cooked through without becoming tough or rubbery. Medium-sized blue crabs, weighing between 1-2 pounds, should be boiled for 12-15 minutes. This extra cooking time allows the flavors to develop and the meat to become more tender.

Can You boil crab legs overnight?

You can place them in your refrigerator overnight to thaw. However, if you are the spontaneous eater who doesn’t know until 5 minutes prior to eating what you want, you’ll just need to add a couple more minutes to the boil time. Here is my step-by-step guide on boiling crab legs for perfection every time!

What is a crab boil?

The term “crab boil” refers to both the cooking method as well as the gathering where the crabs are cooked and enjoyed by a large group. Crab boils are popular in the southern United States, and depending on where you live, the seasonings and the type of crab differ.