A Simple Method for Cooking Fresh Blue Claw Crabs
- Home ›
- What to Consume ›
- Methods for Preparing Blue Crabs
Disclaimer Required by the FTC: There is a small chance that I will earn a commission on any purchases made after clicking on a link on this site. Thank you
One of our family's favorite ways to enjoy a quick and easy summer meal is by catching and cooking blue crabs from the waters off Cape Cod.

What a cheap way to travel! On Cape Cod, you can catch Atlantic blue crabs at no cost.
A pot of water, a stove, or a campfire are all you need to have your very own crab feast.
Blue crabs are caught in Cape Cod in this way, and you can see how it's done by clicking here!
Preparing blue crabs couldn't be easier. The entire process, from cooking to serving, takes about 20 minutes. Taking care of this is a breeze
Working with Real Crabs
If there's one thing that can be tricky about preparing blue crab, it's getting it nice and hot. That's when the little devils try to use their claws to defend themselves from you as you transfer them from their storage container into the pot.
Fingers should be kept well away from a blue crab's claws when being handled.
The claws of a blue crab are formidable. Furthermore, they possess a high degree of sharpness. And the crab is a very resilient creature. Once they've attached themselves, they won't easily let go.

Thankfully, the thing caught in the crab's claw isn't my thumb.
I discovered many years ago (yes, the hard way) ) that using a pair of long-handled barbecue tongs to remove a live blue crab from its shell is the most secure method.
I reach behind me with my tongs and grab the crab, holding it by the top and bottom of its shell, its claws pointing away from me. If that's the case, I'm in charge.
How to Get Those Blue Crabs Ready for Cooking
Little maintenance is required beyond rinsing them.
In most cases, blue claw crabs purchased from a seafood market will already be cleaned and ready to go.
In a sporting manner, if you have caught your own fish,

You can easily clean them by rinsing them in the sink or outside with the hose. That usually is sufficient to get rid of any remaining seaweed or gunk.
As an optional extra, you can scrub their shells with a brush. I usually don't bother, but you can decide if you want me to.
Procedures for Preparing Blue Crabs
I am a purist when it comes to preparing and serving freshly caught blue crabs.
Water and live crabs are the only ingredients in our cooking pot.
A few dashes of vinegar, a mug of beer, and some "crab boil" spices like Old Bay Seasoning are just a few of the extras that some people like to throw into the mix.
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever
It's not necessary to add anything to the flavor of blue crab meat; it's already delicious. Why anyone would want to mess with that taste is beyond me.

I'll share the one and only way I've ever had success with cooking blue crab:
- In a large, sturdy pot, pour a few inches of water. Bring the water to a full, rolling boil in a covered pot over a hot stove or campfire.
- Drop the crabs into the boiling water as soon as you hear the sizzle. Don't cram them in there too tightly.
- Cover the pot and keep cooking for another 20 minutes over high heat.
- When your crabs are ready to eat, you'll notice their shells have turned a vibrant orange.
The cleanup from this party is as simple as spreading newspaper over the table, melting some butter for dipping, and digging in.

Extra Advice on Food Preparation and Storage
Preparing to Steam Crabs by Putting Them to "Sleep"
Putting live crabs, live lobsters, or really anything alive into a pot of boiling water makes me a nervous wreck. For this reason, my husband typically gets to carry out these tasks. while I stay hidden until the dirty deed is finished
When I have to pot 'em up myself, which isn't often, I like to "put my live crabs to sleep" first.
How
Placing live crabs in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes causes them to go into a state of hibernation, making their eventual death less distressing.
Retaining Live Blue Crabs
Keeping crabs alive overnight so you can cook them tomorrow It's easy To keep them fresh, just mist them with water, but don't put them in a bucket of water. Crabs cannot survive in still water for more than a few minutes because they consume all the oxygen. And once they expire, the meat spoils quickly. Bad crabmeat can seriously affect health. Take no chances
How to keep crabs alive until they are cooked is as follows:
- Put the crabs in a wooden crate that you have lined with wet burlap and then cover them with more wet burlap. Keep the crate's burlap damp and stow it somewhere cool and shady. OR
- Find an old, drain-capable cooler or ice chest to use. Fill the bottom of the ice chest or cooler with ice. Wrap the ice in wet burlap or old newspapers. Cover the burlap or newspaper with the crabs. To protect the crabs from the rain, place another layer of wet burlap or newspaper over them. It would be nice to have some extra ice on top.
Make sure the chest or cooler is ventilated by leaving the top ajar and removing the drain plug to release any accumulated melt water. Keep in a cool, dry, and shady location.
OR - Refrigerate the live crabs by placing them in a damp paper bag. Wet the bag down until it's time to cook it.
Your crabs, if properly stored, should have a 12- to 24-hour shelf life.
Food Preparation Essentials: Crab
Those guys are done thanks to you. I hope you're ready to dive in and devour all of this delicious crabmeat.

Where does one begin their journey to the delicious meat? One option is to use one's bare hands to crack the shells, though this could result in injury or even blood loss.
Put these shell-cracking forks and meat-skewers to good use. When it comes to getting every last morsel from a meal, we always turn to them.
Grab your crab-eating gear by clicking here!
BOOKMARK THIS PAGE FOR LATER USE IN COOKING CRABS


Clam-digging as a Hobby
New England Fish Chowder, as Prepared by Jackie Kennedy
- Home ›
- Snack and swill ›
- Blue Crab Cooking
The photo of the blue crab basket was taken by Photobulb|Dreamstime.com Thanks to Pinching Crab for the Image "Blue Water" Other than that one image, all the pictures on this page about cooking blue crab are property of Affordable-Cape-Cod-Vacations. com

Have you ever craved hash browns but didn't feel up to the task of peeling, chopping, and frying potatoes? Fear not, for frozen hash browns are a convenient shortcut for home cooks who want a quick and easy side dish. Crispy and delicious, these breakfast potatoes can also double as a steakhouse-style

Grilling a juicy and succulent cut of meat, like a steak, may appear to be a straightforward endeavor, but it's a culinary role that requires skill and mastery, particularly when it comes to achieving the desired level of doneness. The thickness and kind of steak, as well as the heat of your grill, will

No grill or smoker? No problem! Here's how to make mouth-watering BBQ pork spare ribs that are baked in the oven. They're not only shockingly delicious, but also incredibly easy to prepare. And if you pair them with homemade cornbread and coleslaw, you've got a memorable meal on your hands. Even if

Cabbage is a superb natural food that is both nutritious and economical. Furthermore, it is abundant in healthy phytochemicals, has a long shelf life, and is easy to preserve. While it does not have kale's flamboyant personality, cabbage is a master of versatility. It can transform its flavor and