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Steamed Dungeness crabs.

Dungeness Crab

Who doesn't love fresh dungeness crab! Steaming is our favorite way to enjoy crab. It's fast, easy, and delicious. Here's how to cook dungeness crab ^_^
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 whole fresh and live dungeness crab about 2 pounds each

Instructions

  • First, wash and clean the crab!
    Give each crab a quick rinse under cool running water. Place them on a plate and set aside (though keep an eye out, some crabs are extra lively!)
  • Next, prepare the steamer. If using a 3-tier steamer, remove the top 2 layers (set it aside for now), so that you just have a big pot and lid.
    Fill the bottom pot about ⅓ full with water. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil.
    While you wait for the water to boil, place the crabs upside down (shell facing down) on one of the tiers. If the don't fit on a single tier, use both tiers.
  • Once the water boils, remove the lid.
    Then place their tier (with the crab upside down and already in the tier), on top of the pot.
    Put the lid on top. And then steam! Steam on high heat for 13-15 minutes.
    Note: Steam for 13 minutes for 1 crab. Steam for 15 minutes for 2 crabs. This timing is for dungeness crabs that are about 2 pounds each.
  • Once the crabs are done steaming, turn off the heat.
    Transfer the entire steamer (pot, tiers, and all) to a counter/table and place on a trivet.
    Remove the lid and set aside. Lift up the tier with the crab and place it on top of a large, heatproof bowl or pot (basically anything wide enough to hold the tier).
  • Then immediately pile a bunch of ice cubes the crab. This will help stop the crab from cooking further while still keeping all the "juices" in the crab.
    Once the ice melts and drips down into the bowl/pot (the purpose of placing the bowl/pot under the tier is to catch all the liquid from the melted ice), the crabs should be cool to the touch.
    Remove the crabs to a plate.
  • The next step depends on how you plan to eat the crab!
    When we have "crab dinner," we steam one crab per person. Everyone gets a plate with a whole crab. And you're in charge of cracking your own crab ^_^
    If the crab is part of a larger dinner, we (aka my mom) cracks the crabs and sets it on a large plate for everyone to share.
  • Either way, don't forget to make the tasty lemon pepper dipping sauce to enjoy with the crab!