Steam crabs how long

Forgot your password? Reset Password. Enter your One-time password code. One-time password code. Email Verification. Email Password Confirmation Code. Handpick your favorite recipes, spices, flavors, and more, and save them here. Sign up with Apple. Sign up with Google. First Name. Lift up firmly, and the shells should detach from the crab body with guts attached. Take off the leafy, spongy gills from both sides of the crabs, and throw them away. Rinse the crabs with water before you steam them.

You can steam many kinds of crab, although the cooking times will vary. You will want to rinse out the green-brown guts from the crabs. Break off the mouth parts on either side of the crabs, and throw them away. Then, turn the crabs upside down. Gripping the crabs on both sides, place your thumbs underneath along the back midpoint. Crack the crabs along their centers by pulling down with the hands while pushing up with the thumbs. It's also possible to do this process in reverse and cook the crabs and then clean them using the same process.

Defrost frozen crab legs. You can either steam live crabs or you can steam frozen crab legs that you buy at the store. You will simply need to reheat frozen crab legs. It's a simpler process. To defrost frozen crab legs, put them in the refrigerator for about 8 hours.

You don't want to leave them in the refrigerator for more than 2 days without cooking them, though. You'll want to put the crab legs in a watertight container so the legs drain while they are defrosting without creating a mess in your refrigerator.

Part 2. Use a tall high-walled pot. You don't want to use a pot that is too shallow or a saucepan. That could easily make a mess.

A 6-quart pot is a good idea. You need a steaming rack or separator on top of the pot so the crabs don't touch the hot liquid. You can purchase a steam rack or make one out of tin foil. The basic goal is to allow the steam to rise into the crabs while preventing the crab from touching the boiling liquid below it. A crab steamer is a two-part pot.

The bottom pot holds the steaming liquid, while the inner pot is perforated with holes and holds the crabs. If you do not have a crab steamer, you can improvise and use a large pot and a circular rack to place in the bottom of the pot for the crabs to sit on during the steaming process.

Add liquid to the pot. Water works to steam live crabs and frozen crab legs, but if you want to steam crabs like a local, you could try the Maryland approach, and use beer and vinegar. All you need is two cans of cheap beer and an equal amount of apple cider or distilled white vinegar.

Some people also add bay leaves into the mixture. If using water, pour 2 cups of water into the pot and add 1 tablespoon Some recipes call for adding spices to the beer or water such as salt, garlic, chiles, limes, and cilantro. Place about two inches of liquid in the bottom of the pot, enough to boil and produce steam. You don't want the water line to rise above the steam rack. Boil the liquid. Other recipes call for one cup of water and one cup of vinegar. Place the crabs in the pot.

List of Partners vendors. In This Article Expand. Boil Crabs. Steam Crabs. Grill Crabs. Roast Crabs. Featured Video. Read More. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for thespruceeats. Steamed Blue Crabs Katia. Steamed Blue Crabs Wyattdogster.

Recipe Summary test prep:. Nutrition Info. Ingredients Decrease Serving 6. The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified. Add all ingredients to shopping list View your list. I Made It Print. Editor's Note: The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of salt used in the boiling liquid. Full Nutrition. Reviews 21 Read More Reviews. Most helpful positive review Jan. Rating: 5 stars. Go Steve! This is a true Maryland Blue Crab recipe!

Do what he said then put out some cider vinegar and Bay Seasoning for dipping and you have a real Maryland crab feast. Oh yeah beer is traditional with it too! Read More. Most helpful critical review petesiriki. Rating: 3 stars.