Steaming Crabs: A Beginner's Guide To Cooking Perfection

Crab is a popular dish around the world, with crab bisque and crab cakes being two of the most well-known ways to prepare this crustacean. While there are many ways to cook crab, steaming is one of the most popular methods, as it keeps the meat from getting waterlogged. In this article, we will teach you how to steam crab to perfection using a variety of techniques and equipment.

Steamer equipment

To steam crab, you will need a steamer or a large pot with a steaming rack or separator. This is to ensure that the crabs don't touch the hot liquid. A 6-quart pot is a good size. You can also use a two-part steamer pot, with the bottom pot holding the steaming liquid, and the inner pot perforated with holes to hold the crabs. If you don't have a crab steamer, you can use a large pot and a circular rack placed at the bottom of the pot for the crabs to sit on during steaming.

You will also need a pair of tongs to handle the crabs, especially if they are still alive. It is important to use a separate pair of tongs to remove the crabs from the pot to avoid the risk of bacterial contamination.

For the steaming liquid, you can use water, beer, vinegar, or a combination of these. For example, you can use two cans of beer and an equal amount of apple cider or distilled white vinegar. Some recipes also add bay leaves to the mixture. If using water, you can add 1 tablespoon of salt per 2 cups of water.

You will also need a platter or a table covered with newspaper to place the crabs on after steaming.

Crab preparation

Crabs can be steamed alive or frozen, but live crabs tend to taste better. If you're not cooking them immediately, keep them chilled. You can use a cooler full of ice, cold packs, or a salt-water-soaked towel with ice on top.

Before steaming, you should clean the crabs by removing their abdominal shells, backs, and spongy gills. Rinse the crabs in cold water, turning them upside down and cracking them along their centres. You can also cook the crabs before cleaning them, using the same process.

If you're using frozen crab legs, defrost them in the refrigerator for around eight hours before cooking. Put them in a watertight container to avoid mess in your fridge.

Crabs can be steamed in a two-part pot, with the bottom pot holding the steaming liquid, and the inner pot perforated with holes to hold the crabs. If you don't have a crab steamer, you can use a large pot with a circular rack at the bottom.

Add liquid to the pot. Water is the standard option, but for a Maryland-style crab, you can use a mix of beer and vinegar. Add salt to the water, or spices such as salt, garlic, chillies, limes, and cilantro.

Steaming the Crabs

Place the crabs in the pot, using tongs, and adding three to four crabs at a time, belly-down on the steam rack. Cover them with a spice blend, then add another layer of crabs and repeat the seasoning.

Steam the crabs for around 18-20 minutes, depending on their size. They're done when their shells turn reddish-orange and they give off a distinct aroma.

Cooking times

The cooking time for crab steamers will depend on the size of the crabs, the size of the pot, and the number of crabs being cooked. It's important not to overcook crabs, as this will negatively impact their taste and texture.

For crab legs, steaming for 4-8 minutes is generally sufficient. If the crab legs are frozen, they may need a few minutes longer. You'll know they're done when the shell colour turns reddish-orange and they give off a distinct aroma.

For whole crabs, the cooking time will be longer. Blue crabs, for example, can take 20-30 minutes to steam, while Dungeness crabs may take 10-20 minutes.

When steaming crab legs, it's important to use tongs to remove them from the pot, as this will reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. Additionally, it's recommended to use a separate pair of tongs for handling raw and cooked crabs.

When in doubt, it's better to undercook than overcook crabs. You can always put them back in the steamer for a few more minutes if needed.

If you're cooking multiple batches of crabs, be sure to change the steaming liquid before starting a new batch.

Seasoning

Types of Seasoning

The type of seasoning you use is entirely up to your preference. You can opt for a simple salt and pepper mix or get creative with various herbs and spices. Common choices include celery salt, dry mustard, cumin, black pepper, rock salt, and nutmeg. You can also purchase a pre-made spice blend specifically designed for crab meat from most grocery stores. Additionally, you can use a seafood seasoning blend, such as Old Bay, which is a popular choice for crab steaming.

When steaming crabs, you can add seasoning directly to the water. This infuses flavour into the crabs as they cook. Some people choose to add bay leaves, lemon wedges, Old Bay seasoning, or a splash of white wine to the water. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even use beer and vinegar instead of water. The Maryland approach involves using two cans of beer and an equal amount of apple cider or distilled white vinegar.

In addition to seasoning the water, you can also apply seasoning directly to the crabs. After placing the crabs in the steamer, sprinkle a generous amount of your chosen seasoning blend over them. Repeat this process if you are steaming multiple layers of crabs. This ensures that each crab is well-coated and full of flavour.

Serving Seasoning

When serving steamed crabs, it is customary to provide additional seasoning on the side. This allows your guests to add more flavour to their crabs as they eat. A light sprinkling of seafood seasoning on the platter of crabs is always a good idea. Don't forget to serve some lemon wedges on the side as well!

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve steamed crab. Some people like to serve crab on its own, with a simple side of melted butter and lemon wedges. This lets the crab's natural flavour shine through.

If you want to serve crab as part of a larger meal, you could try a crab boil. This usually consists of whole crabs, potatoes, sausage, corn, onions, and seasoning. You can also add in other ingredients like corn and sausage with different spices and aromatics to flavour the broth.

For a more filling meal, serve crab with crispy french fries, hush puppies, or corn on the cob. These side dishes are easy to eat with your hands, so you won't have to worry about messy fingers from eating crab.

If you're looking for a more elegant presentation, arrange the crab on a large family-style platter and garnish it with fresh parsley. You can also sprinkle a light layer of seafood seasoning on the steamed crabs.

Finally, don't forget to choose an appropriate beverage to pair with your crab. A glass of Chardonnay or Riesling would be a great choice, or if you prefer red wine, try a light and fruity Beaujolais or Zinfandel. For beer lovers, an IPA or wheat beer will beautifully complement the crab's flavour.

Frequently asked questions