How to Cook and Clean Live Crab at Home. This guide will walk you through how to clean live crabs, the best cooking methods, and tips for caring for your crabs before they hit the pot.
Check out How to Cook Dungeness Crab in the Instant Pot and the Best Crab Sauce Recipes for more recipes.
How to Cook and Clean Live Crab at Home
Crabbing can be one of the most rewarding experiences for seafood lovers. There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly caught Crab, but preparing it can seem daunting. Here’s how we clean our Crabs– the Filipino way. Brace yourself for these tips and cooking ways to cook and clean live crab at home.
It’s that time of year when my husband and I go to the Oregon coast to catch crabs. This year, however, we have to take a boat instead of crabbing from the pier at Winchester Bay. The storm damaged the dock, and the county hasn’t fixed it yet. It has been two years, and the port is still unsafe for people to hang out. This is a real shame because spending time at the port was a fun experience. It was great to see people from different parts of the Pacific Northwest gathering and trying their luck to catch their limits.
How to Clean Live Crabs Before Cooking
Cleaning live crabs is crucial to ensure you get the best flavor and texture from your meal. Here’s a simple step-by-step process:
- Gather Your Supplies: You’ll need a large pot of boiling water, ice, and gloves. A crab pot or large container is also helpful.
- Prepare the Crab: Wear gloves and pick it up by its back legs to avoid getting pinched. Hold it firmly but gently.
- Immobilize the Crab: To make cleaning easier, place the Crab in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes. If you added ice during transport, this is sufficient. This will dull its senses and make it less active.
- Remove the Shell: I say this is optional since my family likes the creaminess of “guts” inside the shells. But if you opt to remove the shell, place the Crab on its back. Pull off the top shell by gripping the back legs and lifting it off. Discard the shell.
- Clean the Guts: Remove the gills (the feathery bits on either side) and any internal organs. Rinse the Crab under cold water to clean it thoroughly.
- Halve the Crab, optional: We love to cook it whole with the shell and cut it in half after it is cooked. However, if you cook it in half, ensure it fits in a smaller pot.
- Ready to Cook: Your Crab is now clean and ready for cooking!
Which Cooking Method is Best for Crab?
Crab has several cooking methods; the best one often depends on personal preference. Here are three popular techniques:
- Boiling: This is one of the most common methods. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the cleaned crabs. Cook for about thirty minutes. Let them cool naturally and transfer in a large ziploc if you want to freeze them.
Note that we don’t like to boil them because the crabs tend to absorb the liquid, and serving them can get messy since the liquid is out while handling them. I suggest letting the crab drain before serving.
- Steaming: Steaming Crab is a great way to preserve its natural flavor. Place a steaming rack in a pot with a couple of inches of water, add the crabs, cover, and steam for about 15-20 minutes.
- Grilling: For a smoky flavor, grill your Crab. Brush it with some oil and your favorite seasoning, then grill for 5-7 minutes on each side until heated.
How to Take Care of a Crab from the Ocean
After catching your crabs, keeping them alive and healthy until you’re ready to cook them is essential. Here are some tips:
- Keep Them Cool: Store crabs in a relaxed, moist environment. A cooler with ice packs works well, but don’t let the crabs sit in standing water.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Give each Crab enough space to breathe. Overcrowding can lead to stress and injury.
- Use Wet Towels: Cover the crabs with wet towels to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out.
- Handle with Care: Be gentle when handling crabs. Avoid dropping or placing them in a tight container, which can cause injury.
- Cook Promptly: For the best flavor and texture, cook the crabs within a day or two of catching them.
How To Store Cooked Crabs
It is advisable to cook the crabs immediately and store them correctly to maintain their fresh taste and juiciness.
- Store the crab in the fridge for up to three days.
- If you want to freeze the Crabs, let the crab cool down and transfer it in a large zip lock. Put it in the freezer, and it will last for three months.
Conclusion
Cooking Crab from the ocean can be a delightful experience, from catching to cleaning to cooking. Following these steps ensures your crabs are clean, well cared for, and deliciously prepared. Whether you boil, steam, or grill, fresh Crab will surely be a hit at your next meal! Happy crabbing!
How to Cook and Clean Live Crab at Home
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 pieces Fresh Crabs
- 10 cups Water
- 1/4 cup Slap your Mama or Seasoning of your Choice
- 1 liter Sprite
Transporting the Crab
Instructions
How to Clean the Crab
- Place the freshly caught crab in a large bucket with a cover and add ice on top. This will make the crab "sleep" and easy to handle.
- Once you arrive home, remove impurities- sand, seaweed, and leaves from the crab and use a hose to rinse the crabs.
- If you are removing the shell, gently take it off and place it in a plastic bag, then throw it in the trash immediately during cold weather. In the summer, store the shell in the freezer until trash pickup day, when you can dispose of it. We do this because shells can become smelly. After removing the shell, clean the gut with water.
Steaming
- Place the prepared crab upside down in the steamer's steaming tray. If you have a small steamer, cook the crab in batches.
- Add ten cups of water and let the water boil. Place the steaming tray on top and let the crabs cook on high flame for thirty minutes.
- Let the crab cool down and transfer to a ziplock to freeze.
How to Cook Crabs By Boiling
- Place prepared and cleaned crab upside down in a large pot. Add one litre of Sprite. Cover the pot and let the crab cook for thirty minutes.
Welcome!
Hi, my name is Shobee. Welcome to The Skinny Pot, where we cook Easy Recipes from the available ingredients from our pantry and fridge! We’re your go-to source for simple and delicious recipes that make the most of what you already have at home. Talk about the pantry challenge. Read more...
Leave a Reply