Preparing Pre-Steamed Crabs: A Simple Guide

Cooking crabs can be an enjoyable experience, especially if you're cooking with friends and family. There are several ways to cook crabs, including boiling and steaming. This article will focus on the latter. To steam crabs, you'll need a pot with a steaming rack or separator to prevent the crabs from touching the water. You can also use a two-part steamer pot or a high pot with a circular rack. Next, add liquid to the pot—water is the simplest option, but some people prefer to use beer, vinegar, or a combination of the two for extra flavour. Place the crabs belly-down on the rack and cover them with a spice blend. Then, add another layer of crabs and repeat the seasoning process. Cover the pot and steam for 18-20 minutes, or until the crabs turn orange. Finally, remove the crabs from the pot and serve with melted butter and lemon wedges.

How to steam crabs in a pot

Preparing the crabs:

Before steaming, it is important to keep the crabs chilled, especially if they are alive. You can use a cooler full of ice or cold packs to achieve this. If you are handling live crabs, you should clean them before or after cooking. To do this, remove the abdominal shells and backs, as well as the spongy gills on the underside, and rinse the crabs in cold water.

Preparing the pot:

You will need a tall, high-walled pot with a steaming rack or separator to prevent the crabs from touching the hot liquid. A 6-quart pot or a crab steamer, which is a two-part pot, will work well. Place about two inches of liquid in the bottom of the pot. You can use water, or for extra flavour, try the Maryland approach and use a combination of beer and vinegar. Add some salt to the water, or spices such as garlic, chiles, limes, and cilantro.

Steaming the crabs:

Place three to four crabs belly-down on the steam rack and cover them with a spice blend. Then, add another layer of crabs and repeat the seasoning process. Cover the pot with a lid. The crabs will take around 4-8 minutes to cook, but this will depend on the size of the crabs, the pot, and the number of crabs you are steaming. They are done when they turn a reddish-orange colour and give off a distinct aroma.

Serving:

Remove the crabs from the pot using tongs and place them on a platter or a newspaper-covered table. You can serve them with a butter sauce, melted butter, or wedges of lemon.

How to steam crabs in an oven

Steaming crabs in the oven is a simple and convenient method that yields delicious results. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam crabs in an oven:

Preheat the Oven:

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This low, gentle heat will help steam the crabs slowly, ensuring they become tender and juicy.

Prepare the Baking Dish:

Choose a shallow baking dish, such as a glass or ceramic dish, an aluminium foil pan, or a casserole dish. The dish should be just large enough to hold the crabs in a single layer, with a little space around each. This ensures that the steam circulates effectively.

Add Water or Steaming Liquid:

Pour about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of water into the bottom of the baking dish. You can also use a seasoned broth or add extra flavours such as garlic, citrus, or herbs to the water for additional taste.

Prepare the Crabs:

If using live crabs, you will need to humanely dispatch them before cooking. Place the crabs in the baking dish, making sure they are arranged in a single layer. The water should come about 1/4 to 1/3 up the sides of the crabs.

Cover and Steam:

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminium foil to trap the steam. Poke 4-5 small slits in the foil to allow excess steam to escape. Place the dish in the preheated oven and steam the crabs for 15-20 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of crabs you are using. For example, King crab legs may take 15-18 minutes, while Snow crab legs may take 14-16 minutes.

Check for Doneness:

Remove the crabs from the oven and carefully open the foil, being cautious of the hot steam. The crabs are cooked when the shell colours turn bright orange-red, and the meat is opaque and flaky. Check the crabs early and often to prevent overcooking.

Serve:

Use tongs to transfer the hot crabs to plates. Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, and any other desired sauces or seasonings. Enjoy your delicious oven-steamed crabs!

How to prepare crabs for steaming

Preparing crabs for steaming is a simple process, but it does require a few steps to ensure the crabs are cleaned properly and ready for cooking. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare crabs for steaming:

Step 1: Keep Crabs Chilled

If you are using live crabs, it is best to keep them chilled until you are ready to steam them. You can use a cooler full of ice or cold packs to keep them cold. If you have access to an ice chest, you can also put the live crabs in there. Alternatively, cover the crabs with a saltwater-soaked towel or burlap and place ice on top. Do not submerge the crabs in water, as they need oxygen to survive.

Step 2: Clean the Crabs

Cleaning the crabs involves removing their shells and gills. First, remove the abdominal shell or apron by pulling off the shell flaps on the crabs' bellies. You can use your hands or a knife to break this triangular shell piece off. Next, remove the backs of the crabs (called the carapace) by sticking your thumb into the hole left from removing the abdomen and lifting firmly. The shells should come off with the guts attached. Finally, take off the leafy, spongy gills from both sides of the crabs and discard them.

Step 3: Rinse the Crabs

After cleaning, rinse the crabs with cold water to wash out any remaining green-brown guts. Break off the mouth parts on either side and discard them. Then, turn the crabs upside down and, gripping them on both sides, place your thumbs underneath along the back midpoint. Crack the crabs along their centers by pulling down with your hands while pushing up with your thumbs. This step can also be done after steaming, but doing it beforehand makes it easier to season the crabs before cooking.

Step 4: Defrost Frozen Crab Legs

If you are using frozen crab legs, you will need to defrost them before steaming. A serving of frozen crab legs is typically between 8 ounces and 1 pound (225-450 grams). Place the crab legs in a watertight container and put them in the refrigerator for about 8 hours to defrost. Do not leave them in the refrigerator for more than two days without cooking.

Once you have completed these steps, your crabs are ready to be steamed! You can now move on to preparing your steaming pot and adding the necessary liquid, such as water, beer, or vinegar. Remember to use tongs when handling the crabs, especially if they are still alive, to avoid any risk of bacterial contamination.

How to defrost frozen crab legs

There are several methods to defrost crab legs, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to safely defrost your crab legs and prepare them for cooking.

Step 1: Choose Your Thawing Method

You can defrost crab legs by placing them in the refrigerator, submerging them in cold water, or using the defrost setting on your microwave. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that best suits your time and convenience.

Step 2: Prepare Your Crab Legs

Before you begin the thawing process, make sure to properly prepare your crab legs. Remove any packaging, and rinse the crab legs under cold water to get rid of any ice crystals or debris. This step is important to ensure that your crab legs are clean and ready for cooking.

Step 3: Thaw Your Crab Legs

Now that you have chosen your thawing method and prepared your crab legs, it's time to start the thawing process. Here's how to do it for each method:

• Refrigerator Thawing: Place the crab legs in a bowl or on a plate and cover them with plastic wrap. Leave them in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight. This is a safe and effective method, but it requires more time.
• Cold Water Thawing: Fill a large bowl with cold water and submerge the crab legs completely in the water. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold. This method will take around 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Microwave Thawing: Although not recommended, if you're in a hurry, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave. Place the crab legs on a microwave-safe plate, cover them with a damp paper towel, and defrost for 2-3 minutes. Check the crab legs frequently to ensure they don't cook.

Step 4: Cook Your Crab Legs

Once your crab legs are thawed, it's time to cook them. You can steam, boil, grill, or bake them. Remember, since crab legs are usually cooked before freezing, you just need to heat them to your desired temperature.

Important Don'ts

• Don't defrost crab legs by leaving them at room temperature, as this can lead to bacteria growth.
• Avoid using warm or hot water to speed up the thawing process, as it can affect the texture and taste of the crab legs.
• Don't defrost crab legs in the microwave, as the sporadic heat can cause uneven cooking and affect the texture of your dish.

How to make a butter sauce to serve with crabs

To make a butter sauce to serve with crabs, you can follow these simple steps. Firstly, melt some butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. You can use either salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. Once the butter has melted, add in your desired seasonings. For a plain butter sauce, a little lemon juice will do the trick. If you want a spicy kick, add red chilli flakes and lemon juice. For a garlic butter sauce, add minced garlic and lemon juice. Alternatively, add lemon zest and lemon juice for a zesty lemon butter sauce.

Stir the ingredients together and continue heating for another minute or two until the sauce becomes fragrant. You can serve this warm sauce with your crabs, and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Frequently asked questions