This article is for everyone who likes to cook crab, needs to switch from frozen to live crab, or wants to try cooking live Dungeness crab for the first time. You will learn everything from the beginning stages of shipping and handling your crab to professionally plating it. Some people get scared when they have to cook live seafood, but we’ll give you tips and tricks from experts to make it easier.
It’s best to prepare anything before cooking it. When working with live crab, you want to make sure you have all the tools and supplies you need to handle and cook it correctly.
As a seafood lover and avid home cook one of my favorite shellfish to prepare is Dungeness crab. The sweet succulent meat is so delicious when cooked properly. But boiling Dungeness crab can seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. How long should you boil it for? What’s the proper technique?
Not to worry – I’m here to walk you through the entire process of boiling Dungeness crab, from start to finish. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know, including
- Selecting the best Dungeness crabs
- Prepping and cleaning the crabs
- Step-by-step boiling instructions
- How long to boil different sized crabs
- Checking for doneness
- Serving suggestions
By the end of this article, you’ll be a Dungeness boiling expert! So grab your pot and let’s get cooking.
Selecting Dungeness Crabs
The first step is picking out high-quality live Dungeness crabs from your local fish market or grocery store seafood counter Here’s what to look for
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Liveliness – Make sure the crabs are active and moving their legs/claws. Avoid any that are lifeless.
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Weight – Select crabs that are 2 pounds or heavier. The meat will be plumper.
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Shell – Opt for crabs with full shells, no cracks or damage.
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Color – Live crabs should have a blueish-green tint before cooking.
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Odor – Give the crabs a sniff – they should smell fresh and briny, not fishy.
Choosing lively, heavy crabs with intact shells and oceanic smell will ensure the best results when boiling. Lower quality crabs lead to lower quality meat.
Prepping Dungeness Crabs
Before boiling, the crabs need some prep work:
Cleaning
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Rinse the crabs under cold water to remove dirt or debris on the shell.
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Use a stiff brush to scrub the shell if needed to fully clean.
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Remove any rubber bands around the claws.
Dispatching (Optional)
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To dispatch the crab humanely before cooking, use a sharp knife to pierce through the body where the shell meets the underside.
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This quick method kills the crab instantly so it won’t suffer being boiled alive.
Removing the Apron
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Turn the crab upside down to find the triangular apron.
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Pull the apron off by gripping it firmly and twisting slightly.
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Discard the apron or use it to flavor the boiling liquid if desired.
With the crabs prepped, it’s time to start boiling!
Step-by-Step Boiling Instructions
Boiling Dungeness crab is a simple process, though it requires precision to get perfect results. Follow these steps:
1. Fill a large pot with water – Use about 2 quarts of water per 1 pound of crab. The water should cover the crabs by a few inches.
2. Bring the water to a rapid boil – Get the temperature up high to cook the crabs quickly.
3. Add salt and seasoning – For flavor, add ~1/4 cup salt per gallon of water. You can also add crab boil seasoning, garlic, lemon, etc.
4. Gently lower the crabs into the pot – Use tongs to fully submerge the crabs in the boiling water.
5. Start timing immediately – Length of boiling depends on size of crabs, so start the timer right away.
6. Boil the recommended time – Refer to times below based on crab weight.
7. Use tongs to transfer crabs to a bowl – Don’t leave them sitting in the hot water after cooking.
8. Let rest 10 minutes before eating – This allows the meat to absorb juices and enhances flavor.
Got all that? Now let’s talk about boiling times…
How Long to Boil Different Sized Crabs
The boiling time can vary quite a bit depending on the size and weight of your Dungeness crabs. Here are general guidelines:
- 1 pound – Boil for 13-15 minutes
- 1.5 pounds – Boil for 15-18 minutes
- 2 pounds – Boil for 18-20 minutes
- 2.5 pounds – Boil for 20-23 minutes
- 3 pounds – Boil for 23-25 minutes
- 4 pounds – Boil for 25-30 minutes
For crabs over 4 pounds, increase boiling time by about 5 minutes per additional pound. It’s critical to boil big crabs long enough so the heat penetrates all the meat.
Checking for Doneness
Timing alone doesn’t guarantee perfectly cooked crab. Use these tests to check for doneness:
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Shell color turns bright red when done
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Legs pull off easily when cooked
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Meat is opaque, not translucent
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Internal temperature reaches 180°F
If undercooked, return to boiling water for 2-3 more minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Once boiled and rested, your Dungeness crab is ready to devour! Here are some tasty ways to serve it:
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Crack shells and pick meat for crab cakes
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Dip meat in melted butter or aioli
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Sprinkle with lemon juice and enjoy as-is
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Add to pasta, salad, or risotto
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Mix with mayo for crab sandwiches
Boiled Dungeness crab also makes amazing crab stock. Don’t toss the shells – simmer them in water with vegetables to make a flavorful seafood stock.
Get Boiling!
Choosing and Handling Live Crab
When you go to the market and pick out a live Dungeness crab, you should look for one that is healthy and will give you the freshest meat. Crabs that are awake and get excited when touched should be healthy. They should even show you their claws to protect themselves.
As far as smell, you do not want to choose one that smells overly fishy or that has a sour smell. Live crabs should have a fresh saltwater aroma.
Most people find it best to buy live Dungeness crab online, like these from Fathom Seafood. The experts will pick the crab out safely and ship it to you within 24 hours.
If you are bringing the live crab home but are not cooking it for some while, experts at Oregon Dungeness give the following handling instructions:
- Live crabs should be put in a chilled saltwater tank with good air flow (45° to 50° F). ) as soon after arrival as possible. Immerse slowly to facilitate gill function.
That being said, you should cook your live Dungeness crab the same day you buy it or get it.
If you cannot keep it in chilled saltwater, this is an alternative recommendation:
- Live crabs should be kept at the bottom of the fridge with a damp tea towel over them. It will stay calm until it’s time to kill and cook because the fridge is cold.
And right before cooking, they say the following should be typical:
- Oregon Dungeness crabs that are alive should move around and respond to being touched.
If you aren’t sure which live crab will give you the most meat for your money, do some research or ask someone who knows about seafood, whether you are having it shipped or buying it at the market.
Credit: Turntable Kitchen
Prepping Your Cookspace
You should cook the crab before you clean it, so you will need something to boil or steam the crab first.
- gloves for handling live crab and hot crab when finished
- crab cracking tool (optional)
Getting ready is easy!
Next, look over two separate instructional guides to compare the differences between boiling and steaming your live crab.
Live Crab Boiling Instructions—via Williams Sonoma
- 8 qt. cool water
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- Two live Dungeness crabs, each weighing about two pounds (equal to twelve hard-shelled blue crabs).
2.Fill a stockpot with the water and stir in the salt. Pick up the crabs from behind to avoid their claws and add them to the pot, making sure they are well covered with water. Cover the pot, turn the heat to medium-high, and bring just to a boil. When the water reaches a full boil, turn off the heat, leaving the lid on the pot. 3.Let blue crabs steep in the hot water for about 10 minutes. Larger Dungeness crabs need about 15 minutes. Using long tongs, lift the crabs from the water, turning them this way and that over the pot to drain away any water, and then transfer to a cutting board. 4.Cleaning the crab—keep reading to learn about this step.
Cooking a fresh Dungeness Crab
How long do you boil Dungeness crab?
As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to boil dungeness crab for about 10-12 minutes per pound. Here’s a breakdown of the optimal boiling times based on different weight ranges: Small Crab (less than 1 pound): Boil for 8-10 minutes. Medium Crab (1- 2 pounds): Boil for 10-12 minutes. Large Crab (2-3 pounds): Boil for 12-15 minutes.
How long does it take to cook Dungeness crab?
It takes usually 12 to 15 minutes for a whole Dungeness Crab to cook in the boil, while cleaned Dungeness crab halves take usually 10 to 12 minutes. We all need to be super safe when preparing and enjoying seafood.
How long do you boil crab?
Steam the crab for about 5 minutes to partially cook it, then transfer it to a pot filled with boiling water. Boil for the recommended time, then remove the crab and let it cool before serving. This method ensures a moist and juicy texture while still achieving the desired cooking time.
Should I halve my Dungeness crab before cooking?
It is a matter of personal preference whether to clean and halve a Dungeness crab before cooking or not. Whole Dungeness Crab will take a little longer to cook (usually 12 to 15 minutes in the boil), while cleaned Dungeness halves take a little less time (usually 10 to 12 minutes).