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How to Cook Dungeness Crab ~~ When in the Puget Sound area in the summer, you’re going to hear lots about crabbing. I’m pretty sure that the question, “are you going crabbing?” is a local greeting that everyone uses.
Just like talking about the weather, or asking, “how’s the family?” It’s just friendly a way to greet people and start a conversation.
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Dungeness crab basics
Since I’ve learned quite a bit about Dungeness Crab, I thought I’d share how to cook it.
Now, if you want to catch it, here are some great guides: How to Harvest (catch) crab; How to Clean a Dungeness Crab; and Crab Identification and Biology (which I found to be really interesting!).
How to clean a Dungeness Crab
I won’t go into detail on cleaning crab, but I will say that I prefer the “clean it, then cook” it method. I feel that this is a better way to enjoy it, and a more humane way to treat the crab.
If you don’t want to catch Dungeness Crab, you can find them at well-stocked fish markets. So, whether you catch it or buy it, here’s my guide to How to Cook Dungeness Crab. With special thanks to Ken, Barb, and Matt for sharing their techniques, time, and letting me take pictures of the crab.
How to cook
All the details are in the printable recipe card below. Here I share tips and photos of how to prep the crab.
Sea water
I suggest using sea water to cook the crab. If this bothers you, or you don’t have access to it, use about ¼ cup of salt per gallon of fresh water.
Fennel
I like the unusual ingredient in this recipe. The fennel. The fennel makes the crab meat white and a bit firmer, but doesn’t really add any noticeable flavor. Since I’m not a big fan of the flavor of fennel, I was a little worried about it the first time I ate it, but now I’m a fennel believer.
How to eat crab
You’ll want a {affiliate link} crab cracker and some crab forks to help get all the crab meat out of the shell. You can make lots of different dishes with the cooked crab meat. I’ve collected a bunch of different recipes I for you below the recipe card.
You can make lots of different dishes with the cooked crab meat:
And be sure to check out my Crab Rangoon Dip for another delicious way to use crab!
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How to Cook Dungeness Crab Recipe
How to Cook Dungeness Crab
Ingredients
- 1 fennel bulb sliced
- raw uncooked & cleaned crab
- sea water or salt water
Instructions
- It’s best to do this outside, as the process can be a messy one. Place sliced fennel in large pot of sea water, and bring to a boil.
- Once the water is at a rapid boil, place cleaned crab into the boiling water. Bring the water back up to a boil, and cook crab for 22 minutes; if the pot starts to boil over turn the heat down on the burner.
- Once 22 minutes are up, remove the crab from the boiling water with a pair of tongs, and dunk the cooked crab in cold water to stop the cooking process (shock the crab in cold water).
- The crab are ready to eat, as is. You’ll want a crab cracker, and some crab forks to help get all the meat out. This is also a messy process, and again, probably best done outside. But, what’s better than fresh crab legs eaten in the company of friends while sitting outside and enjoying the wonderful summer weather!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Karly
My husband will be drooling for some Dungeness Crab for sure now!
swathi
That is delicious, I am afraid of cutting fresh carbs looks so easy.
Lisa
very interesting! so many good looking crab recipes too!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I have never cooked crab before, as we usually just have it out of a tin, but it looks really simple.
maria @ close to home
so good, pull out the paper tablecloths and have a party.