What Are Dungeness Crab Legs? The Complete Guide

Seafood lovers rejoice – crab season is here! One incredibly popular type of crab is Dungeness, prized for its sweet, succulent meat. If you’ve ever ordered crab legs at a restaurant or seafood counter, chances are they were Dungeness crab legs. But what exactly are Dungeness crab legs and what makes them so delectable?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Dungeness crab legs, from how to identify them to tips for cooking and serving these tasty crustacean appendages

What is Dungeness Crab?

Dungeness crab refers to a specific species of crab that inhabits the west coast of North America, Its scientific name is Metacarcinus magister, Dungeness crabs are large crabs belonging to the Cancridae family,

An adult Dungeness crab can grow up to 10 inches across, with a tan brown shell and purplish tips on the claws. The name comes from the port of Dungeness, Washington where they are abundantly caught. Dungeness crab meat is considered high quality – sweet, moist and firm.

Dungeness crabs are economically important and represent one of the most valuable fisheries on the west coast. Many seafood lovers eagerly await fresh Dungeness crab season which generally runs November through June

What Are Dungeness Crab Legs?

Dungeness crab legs are the long, spindly legs of the Dungeness crab. Like other crabs, Dungeness crabs have five pairs of legs – two chelipeds (claws) and four walking legs. The rear legs tend to be the longest.

The shells of Dungeness crab legs are hard and armored. But crack them open to reveal succulent white meat inside. The meat is bundled into segments within each leg. Dungeness crab meat has a sweet, mild flavor with a moist, flaky texture similar to lobster.

Dungeness crab legs are sold live, cooked, and frozen at fish markets and grocery stores. Their availability is seasonal, peaking in winter and spring when they are freshest.

Benefits and Nutrition of Dungeness Crab

Dungeness crab legs provide an excellent source of lean protein. A 3 ounce serving contains about 16 grams of protein with less than 1 gram of fat. Dungeness crab legs are also low in calories and carbohydrates.

Some of the nutrition highlights of Dungeness crab meat include:

• Vitamin B12 – supports red blood cell formation
• Selenium – antioxidant that enhances immune function
• Zinc – aids immune health and wound healing
• Phosphorus – benefits bone health
• Magnesium – promotes cardiovascular health

Additionally, Dungeness crab legs contain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA which are beneficial for heart and brain health.

How to Choose Fresh Dungeness Crab Legs

When buying Dungeness crab legs, choose specimens that look fresh and odor-free. Here are a few tips for selecting the best quality:

• Look for crab legs with a smooth, clean shell. Avoid any with cracks, blemishes or residue.

• Legs should look moist and shiny, not overly dried out.

• Meat should have a translucent white color, not yellow or grey.

• Give raw legs a sniff – they should have minimal odor, not fishy or ammonia-like.

• For cooked legs, the meat should be opaque and white throughout with no mushy sections.

• Frozen legs should show no signs of freezer burn or ice crystals which indicate improper storage.

Buying crab legs from a reputable fish market or grocer will help ensure you get a fresh, high-quality product.

How to Store Dungeness Crab Legs

To maintain quality, Dungeness crab legs must be stored properly:

• Keep live Dungeness crab cold at 34-38°F. Do not store in fresh water which can lead to bacteria growth. Use within 2 days.

• Fresh cooked legs will keep 3-4 days refrigerated in a breathable container.

• To freeze, arrange legs in a single layer on a tray and freeze initially. Then transfer to an airtight bag or container. Frozen legs keep 8-12 months.

• Thaw frozen crab legs overnight in the fridge. Do not thaw at room temperature or refreeze after thawing.

Cooking Methods for Dungeness Crab Legs

Dungeness crab legs can be prepared using various cooking methods:

• Boiling – The most popular method. Boil legs 8-12 minutes until the meat is opaque. Serve with melted butter.

• Steaming – Cooks delicately over steam 15-20 minutes. Retains more moisture than boiling.

• Baking – Bake legs at 375°F for 15-20 minutes. Drizzle with lemon and garlic butter.

• Grilling – Quickly grill legs flesh-side down for 2-3 minutes until grill marks form.

• Sautéing – Fry legs in oil or butter for 2-4 minutes per side. Season with herbs and garlic.

• Air frying – Air fry at 400°F for 4-8 minutes until hot and crispy. Fast and easy.

Regardless of cooking method, take care not to overcook the meat which can make it tough.

How to Eat and Serve Dungeness Crab Legs

Cracking and eating Dungeness crab legs takes a little work, but it’s worth the effort. Here are some tips:

• Use a crab mallet or small hammer to crack the hard shell. Tap gently.

• Break legs at the joints to access the meat. Remove meat with a seafood fork.

• For easier eating, crack legs first then let guests remove the meat themselves. Provide picks.

• Provide small dishes for empty shells or bowls for collecting crab debris to keep the table tidy.

• Melted butter is the classic dip for crab legs. Lemon wedges, garlic aioli, or mustard sauce also pair nicely.

• For a feast, serve alongside corn, potatoes, asparagus or a fresh salad. Bread is great for soaking up butter drippings.

Dungeness Crab Recipes to Try

Beyond boiling, there are many delicious ways to prepare Dungeness crab legs at home:

• Crab Cakes – Combine lump crab meat with bread crumbs, egg and seasonings then pan fry into savory cakes.

• Crab Dip – Bake a cheesy, creamy dip with crab meat and bread crumbs. Serve with crackers or veggies.

• Crab Pasta – Toss crab meat with hot linguine or spaghetti. Add white wine, lemon, garlic and parsley.

• Crab Salad – Mix flaky crab with celery, onion and mayo. Serve over greens or as a sandwich filling.

• Crab Quiche – Line a baked pie crust with crab meat, cheese, eggs and cream for an elegant brunch dish.

Don’t limit yourself to plain boiled crab legs. With endless possibilities for preparation, you can enjoy the sweet taste of Dungeness crab in all types of dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dungeness Crab Legs

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about cooking and serving this west coast delicacy:

How do you humanely cook live Dungeness crab? – To dispatch, place the live crab in the freezer 20-30 minutes before cooking. This puts the crab “to sleep” before boiling.

Can the crab body be eaten too? – Yes! The body meat and innards are edible. Many people enjoy it in soups, bisques and crab cakes.

How long do cooked crab legs last in the fridge? – Cooked, refrigerated crab legs will keep for 3-4 days. Discard if you notice any unpleasant odors.

What’s the red stuff inside Dungeness crab legs? – The red substance is a help hepatopancreas, part of the crab’s digestive system. It’s edible but some may choose to remove it.

Is it OK to reheat previously cooked crab legs? – Yes, you can reheat boiled or steamed crab legs. Just microwave briefly until heated through. Don’t overcook.

Enjoy the Sweet Flavor of Dungeness

Hailing from Pacific coastal waters, Dungeness crab is revered for its distinctive flavor and tender meat. The legs in particular provide bountiful quantities of tasty crab without the effort of shelling the whole crab. With proper storage and cooking, Dungeness crab legs make for a sensational meal or appetizer.

When crab season rolls around, grab a pile of Dungeness legs and get cracking! Just follow these tips for selecting, cooking and serving legs. Soon you’ll be hooked on the delicious pink-white meat hidden within these spindly appendages. So embrace the messy splendor of a mountain of snow crab legs – it’s all part of the fun.