Steam-Free Crab Claw Cooking: A Simple Guide

Crab claws are a delicious treat, but what if you don't have a steamer? Well, there are a few different ways to cook crab claws without one. One popular method is to boil them. To do this, simply add a pinch of salt to every 12 cups of water in a large pot and bring it to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, carefully place the crab claws in the pot and cook them for around 5-6 minutes. You can also steam crab claws without a steamer by using a large pot with an inch of water and a steaming basket. Place the crab claws in the basket, cover the pot, and let them steam for about 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can bake crab claws in the oven at 350°F for 8-12 minutes. No matter which method you choose, just be careful not to overcook the crab claws, as this can make the meat tough and rubbery.

Boil crab claws for 5-6 minutes

Boiling crab claws is a simple and quick way to cook them. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Water

Fill a large pot with water and place it on a large burner on high heat. For every 12 cups (2.8 litres) of water, add a pinch of salt. The salt will add flavour to the crab. Bring the water to a rolling boil. This should take about 7 to 10 minutes.

Step 2: Boil the Crab Claws

Once the water is boiling, use tongs or oven mitts to gently place the crab claws into the pot. Cover the pot and let the crab claws cook for 5-6 minutes. Do not leave the crab claws in the water for longer than this, or the meat will become tough.

Step 3: Remove the Crab Claws from the Water

After 5-6 minutes, use tongs to remove each crab claw and place them on a plate or cutting board. If you prefer to eat the crab claws chilled, place them on a bed of ice for about 45 minutes before serving.

Step 4: Crack the Crab Claws and Serve

Use a crab cracker, crab mallet, or the back of a heavy spoon to crack open the crab claws. Squeeze the metal arms of the cracker together until the shell cracks, then open the claw completely and scoop out the meat with a spoon or fork. You can leave the meat in large chunks or break it into smaller pieces, depending on your preference. Serve the crab claws with melted butter, cocktail sauce, or another dipping sauce of your choice.

Tips:

• Every 2 lb (0.91 kg) of crab claws will yield about 1 lb (0.45 kg) of meat.
• Crab claws that float to the top of the water are called "floaters" and tend to have less meat, but are still delicious.
• Be careful when throwing the crab claws into the boiling water, as this can cause splashes that could burn your skin.
• If you are reheating crab claws, be careful not to overcook them, as this can make the meat dry and rubbery.

Bake crab claws for 8-10 minutes

Crab claws are usually sold pre-cooked and frozen, so when you bake them, you're actually re-heating them. This is why you should be careful not to leave the claws in the oven for too long.

To bake crab claws, first preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C). While you're waiting for the oven to heat up, you can prepare your dipping sauce or sides.

Next, lay the crab claws flat on a large baking sheet. Depending on how many claws you want to cook, you may need to use multiple baking sheets. Make sure that the claws are in a single layer.

Finally, bake the crab claws for 8 to 10 minutes.

Use a microwave to heat crab claws

Microwaving crab claws is a quick and easy way to cook them without a steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Thaw the Crab Claws

Place the crab claws in the refrigerator overnight to thaw them. If you're in a hurry, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave. It is important to only microwave fully thawed crab claws.

Step 2: Prep the Crab Claws

Cut the shell on the bottom of the claws to expose the meat. You can also partially crack the claws to make it easier to access the meat after cooking. If the claws are too big for your microwave, you can cut them at the joints.

Step 3: Prepare Your Microwave

Choose a shallow dish that is microwave-safe and big enough to lay the claws flat. Glass or ceramic dishes work best. You can also use a microwave-safe steamer rack to elevate the claws above water. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap, leaving a small opening for steam to escape.

Step 4: Microwave the Crab Claws

For every pound of crab claws, heat them in the microwave on high for about 2 to 5 minutes. For example, if you have 2 pounds of crab claws, microwave them for 8 to 10 minutes. If you need to, you can cut the claws in half crosswise so they fit better in the dish.

Step 5: Flip the Crab Claws

After the first few minutes of microwaving, carefully take the dish out of the microwave and use tongs or a fork to flip the crab claws over. Place the crab claws back in the dish and cover them again before returning to the microwave.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

After the full cooking time is up, take the dish out of the microwave and let it sit for a few minutes. Be careful when you take the lid off the dish, as steam will escape. You can spread melted butter on the crab claws to enhance their flavor and serve them with lemon wedges on the side.

Tips:

• Season the water: Add seasonings like Old Bay, lemon slices, garlic, or herbs to the water for extra flavor.
• Wrap in damp paper towels: Wrapping each crab claw bundle in damp paper towels helps trap in steam for juicier meat.
• Brush with butter: Drizzle melted butter over the crab claws right after microwaving for added richness.
• Let rest before eating: Letting the crab claws rest for a couple of minutes after microwaving allows heat to continue gently cooking the insides.

Grill crab claws for 4-5 minutes

Grilling is an excellent way to cook stone crab claws if you want to enjoy succulent, firm stone crab meat. Here is a step-by-step guide to grilling crab claws for 4-5 minutes:

Step 1: Prepare your grill

Preheat your grill to 350°F. Place a metal grilling basket on the grill to ensure the claws don't fall through the grates.

Step 2: Place the crab claws in the basket

Once the grill is preheated, place the stone crab claws inside the grilling basket.

Step 3: Grill the crab claws

Close the lid of the grill and cook the crab claws for 4-5 minutes. The shells will turn bright red, and the meat will be cooked through.

Step 4: Remove from the grill

After the crab claws have grilled for 4-5 minutes, remove them from the grill and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Step 5: Serve with your favourite dipping sauce

Enjoy your grilled crab claws with your favourite dipping sauce. Some popular options include melted butter, cocktail sauce, or tartar sauce.

Steam crab claws for 3-5 minutes

To steam crab claws for 3-5 minutes, start by rinsing the crab claws under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, place a steamer basket or metal strainer in a large pot or saucepan, making sure it's suspended over the water rather than submerged. You can add a pinch of salt to the water to help it boil faster.

Next, carefully place the crab claws in the steamer basket or strainer using tongs, and cover the pot tightly with a lid or aluminium foil. Steam the crab claws for 3-5 minutes, being careful not to overcook them as this will dry out the meat.

Once they're done, remove the crab claws from the steamer basket or strainer and crack them open with a crab cracker. Squeeze the two metal arms of the cracker together until the shell cracks, then scoop out the meat with a fork or knife. You can leave the meat in large chunks or break it into smaller pieces, depending on your preference.

Frequently asked questions