If you have a fresh, whole Dungeness crab and don’t know what to do with it, this simple guide will show you how to clean and cook it so you can use it in some tasty crab recipes.
As a kid in the Pacific Northwest, I learned to crab for Dungeness crab off the coast of Oregon and in Puget Sound, Washington. My dad used to let me help him set up the bait and watch him throw the crab traps (also called crab pots) into the water. Most of the time, my “job” was to chase after the cute little hermit crabs that would jump out of the traps and land on the docks.
These days, I still like to take my own family to the Oregon Coast for some dock crabbing. If you want, places like Kelly’s Marina will clean and cook the crab for you. But I still enjoy cleaning and cooking crab at home.
There’s nothing better than fresh Dungeness crabs. Don’t worry if this is your first time cleaning and cooking fresh crab. Its actually a lot easier to do at home than you might think!.
This How to Cook Dungeness Crab guide was made to help, whether this is your first time cooking fresh crab or your tenth. There are some frequently asked questions and our best tips in our guide. We’ve learned them by cooking and cleaning this tasty seafood for over twenty years. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
Dungeness crab is a sweet, succulent treat prized by seafood lovers, but you may wonder what to do with it beyond just steaming and cracking open. With its tender white flesh and rich brown meat, Dungeness crab can star in a variety of mouthwatering recipes Read on for 18 delicious ideas to inspire your next Dungeness crab meal.
Steam and Serve Simple
A classic and easy preparation is to simply steam or boil Dungeness crab. Once cooked, serve the whole crab with drawn butter, lemon wedges, and crusty bread for dipping in the juices. The sweet delicate meat needs little adornment. Opt for a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to complement the pure crab flavor.
Make Crab Cakes
For an appetizer or entree, combine cooked Dungeness crab meat with breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, onion, parsley, lemon juice and seasonings Form into patties and pan fry until golden Serve with lemon aioli or remoulade sauce for a tangy accent. Crab cakes also pair well with pasta or a fresh green salad.
Toss into Linguine
For a fast weeknight dinner, boil linguine, drain and toss with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, parsley and chunks of fresh Dungeness crab meat. Grate Parmesan cheese over the top for added richness. Serve with crusty garlic bread for a simple yet elegant crab pasta.
Stuff into Mushrooms
For an easy baked appetizer, mix together cooked Dungeness crab, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, parsley and just enough mayonnaise to moisten. Stuff into mushroom caps and bake until hot and browned. Garnish with lemon and parsley.
Make Crab Dip
Blend together cooked crab meat, cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bake until bubbly then serve with crackers or fresh vegetables. For a hot crab dip, add sautéed onion, bell pepper and poblano.
Bake into Quiche
For a savory brunch dish, make a quiche filling with Dungeness crab, Swiss cheese, spinach and sautéed mushrooms. Pour into a prepared pie crust and bake. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. Quiche also pairs well with fresh fruit or a green salad.
Stuff into Avocados
Halve avocados and remove pits. Fill the avocado halves with a mixture of Dungeness crab, lime juice, chili powder, cilantro, diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce for a fun twist on crab salad. Top with more cilantro and serve immediately.
Make Crab Cakes Benedict
Top crab cakes with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce for an elevated crab cake Eggs Benedict. Serve for brunch or dinner with roasted potatoes or fruit on the side. A dry white wine like Chardonnay works nicely with this dish.
Toss with Rice Noodles
For a quick Asian-inspired meal, prepare rice noodles according to package directions. Toss with sesame oil, soy sauce, carrots, cabbage, green onions, ginger, garlic and Dungeness crab meat. Garnish with sliced avocado, peanuts and lime wedges.
Mix into Seafood Pasta
In a pan, sauté shrimp, scallops, mussels and Dungeness crab meat in olive oil, garlic, white wine, lemon juice, oregano, red pepper flakes and tomato sauce. Toss with cooked linguine. Garnish with parsley and Parmesan. Serve with crusty bread and a Pinot Grigio.
Make Crab Salad Sandwiches
Flake cooked Dungeness crab and gently fold together with mayonnaise, lemon juice, diced celery, minced onion, mustard, salt and pepper. Spread on toasted brioche buns and top with lettuce, tomato and avocado slices for delicious crab salad sandwiches.
Enjoy in Lettuce Wraps
Sauté Dungeness crab meat with sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, green onions and chili-garlic sauce. Serve wrapped in lettuce leaves and topped with carrot matchsticks, cilantro and chopped peanuts for a fun hand-held meal.
Bake into Casserole
Make a creamy casserole by folding cooked crab into a sauce of mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, bread crumbs, egg and Parmesan. Transfer to a baking dish, top with cheese and bread crumbs and bake until browned on top. Serve with a salad.
Simmer in Coconut Curry
For an exotic curry dish, simmer Dungeness crab in coconut milk flavored with Thai red curry paste, lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, basil, onion and red bell pepper. Ladle curry over jasmine rice and top with fresh basil. Pair with an off-dry Riesling.
Stuff into Tacos
Wrap sautéed crab meat, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado and chipotle crema in warm corn tortillas for tasty tacos. Add lime wedges and serve with Spanish rice and beans. Ice cold beer or a citrusy white wine make good beverage choices.
Toss with Chilled Noodles
Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Rinse in cold water and drain well. Toss chilled noodles with sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice and Dungeness crab. Top with shredded carrots, cucumber, avocado, mango and chopped peanuts.
Make Crab Louie Salad
Chopped Dungeness crab meat stars in this classic salad with hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, avocados, asparagus and a tangy dressing of mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, green onions, parsley and capers. It’s perfect for a summer lunch or light dinner.
Grill with Garlic Butter
For simple grilled crab, brush the halved shells with garlic butter before placing cut-side down on the grill. Cook until the meat is opaque. Serve with extra garlic butter for dipping, along with corn on the cob and grilled vegetables.
Dungeness crab is so versatile. With its sweet succulent meat, it can be the star of anything from salads to baked casseroles to curries. Use these 18 ideas to inspire delicious new ways to enjoy Dungeness crab for dinner tonight.
How to cook Dungeness Crab
- Put enough cold water in a big pot to cover your crab completely. Heat the pot over high heat. Salt the water with a heavy hand. It should be salty like the ocean. Note: Some people like to add Old Bay seasoning and/or bay leaf to the water to make it taste better. This is only useful if you are just going to serve the crab meat as is after cooking and cleaning it and not use it in another Dungeness crab recipe.
- Carefully pick up the fresh crab in the middle of its body with tongs and put it in the pot. Bring the water to a boil.
- Boil for about 10 to 20 minutes. When the crab is done, the shell will turn a bright orange color. Take the crab out of the pot with tongs and set it on a plate or wire rack to cool down.
Cleaning and cooking Dungeness crab
The best way to prepare whole live crab is to cook them before you clean them.
The two main cooking methods are to boil crabs or steam crabs. I like to boil them the most, so here are the steps I’ve included for the right way to boil Dungeness crab.
If you have a live Dungeness crab, the first thing you will need to do is cook it. Then, I will show you how to properly clean the crab to use in your Dungeness crab recipe.
How to cook and clean a Dungeness crab
FAQ
What is the best way to eat Dungeness crab?
What is Dungeness crab good for?
How to cook already cooked Dungeness crab?
What are Dungeness crabs used for?
What to eat in Dungeness?
1. Cooked Whole Dungeness Crab 2. Cajun Dungeness Crab Boil 3. Crab Cakes 4. Seafood Boil 5. Crab Omelet 6. Hot Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip 7. Crab Tacos 8. Crispy Air Fryer Crab Rangoon 9. Crab Pasta with Lemon Garlic Sauce 10. Open, Clean, and Crack Dungeness Crab Guide 11. Crab Melt on an English Muffin 12. Crab Rolls 1.
What to eat with Dungeness crabs?
Dungeness crabs can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches to casseroles and even pasta dishes. Their meat is also a perfect addition to pastas, soups and sauces. Pick any of these delicious crab recipes.
What to do with leftover Dungeness crab?
So, before you toss your leftover dungeness crab into the trash, take a look at our list of amazing leftover crab recipes that will help you get the most out of your crab meat. Leftover Dungeness crab can be used in a variety of ways. Some of the most common ways include crab cakes, crab salad, crab soup, and crab casserole.
How do you cook whole Dungeness crabs?
Whole Dungeness crabs are the simplest way to create a festive meal that looks totally elegant but is actually deceptively easy to prepare. Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil, season with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Once the water comes to a boil, remove from heat.