In relation to indulging within the most interesting seafood delicacies, few seafood recipes can match the simplicity and style of steamed Dungeness crab legs.
Dungeness crab is to the West Coast what Blue crab is to the East Coast. A meaty, succulent crab that begs to be loved within the messiest of the way. By merely steaming and serving Dungeness crab legs, you’re highlighting the perfect flavors in an uncomplicated but, luxurious dish.
What are Dungeness Crabs
These delectable crustaceans are native to the icy waters of the Pacific Ocean of North America, from Alaska right down to California. They’re prized for his or her candy and tender meat. Identical to with wealthy Stone crab claws from Florida, these crab legs are finest when in season. Harvested from late November by June, complete Dungeness crabs are smaller than King crab or snow crabs however are a terrific choice for seafood lovers.
You will discover complete Dungeness crab or crab leg clusters when in season at your native Costco or fish monger. For those who’re native to the Pacific Northwest, chances are you’ll even discover them at your native grocery retailer. Alternatively, if you happen to’re not on the West Coast, you possibly can get them organized on-line, however ensure somebody will probably be dwelling to instantly get your package deal on ice or within the fridge, as seafood ought to by no means be neglected.
Search for purple shells and chicken within the physique of the cluster. There needs to be a candy, gentle oceanic odor. Don’t purchase any legs with black or darkened colour on the meat or off-putting smells.
Dungeness crabs are a meatier crabs, with a candy, wealthy taste excellent for all types of dishes, from cioppino and crab bisque to crab desserts or indulgent crab imperial atop a juicy steak. However to actually have a good time their taste, we love these Dungeness crab leg clusters within the easiest of recipes, steamed and served with a bit butter. It’s the easiest way to essentially style the fragile taste.
Components
- Dungeness crab leg clusters
- Previous Bay – otherwise you’re favourite seafood spice mix. However let’s be actual; Previous Bay is fairly good.
- Butter – more often than not, we’re freaks for unsalted butter when cooking, however that is a type of uncommon events the place we love dipping the candy crab meat into melted salted butter. Toss in some garlic confit for garlic butter sauce.
- Recent herbs, like minced parsley and chives, and contemporary lemon wedges for garnish
steam Dungeness crab legs
Steaming crabs is the best solution to put together any sort of crab.
- Begin by rinsing your crab legs beneath chilly water and patting them dry.
- Then in a big pot, put simply sufficient water to barely contact the underside of a steamer basket. Set the pot over the vary and produce the boil to a delicate simmer.
- In the meantime, sprinkle the Dungeness crab clusters with a liberal coating of Previous Bay, being certain to flip the crabs to coat all sides.
- Nestle the crab legs into the steamer basket and canopy, leaving a small hole to let loose steam, with a lid.
- Steam the crab legs for 7 to 10 minutes. Bear in mind, these crab claws from Costco are already cooked, so you might be solely reheating them. Leaving them to steam too lengthy could cause the meat to turn out to be smooth.
- Whereas the legs are steaming, soften your butter over low warmth.
- Rigorously take away the steamer basket from the pot and set it over a baking sheet to catch any dripping water.
- Then switch the crab legs to a serving dish and brush the uncovered meat with melted butter. Serve the legs with melted butter for dipping, garnished with minced parsley and lemon wedges.
- Gently pull the legs from the physique, and chances are you’ll get fortunate sufficient to drag the contemporary crab meat out with it. You should use crab crackers to interrupt open the shells and get to the candy meat.
Woman carnivore Skilled Recipe suggestions
- On the lookout for high quality merchandise however not on the West coast? Buy Dungeness crab legs on-line if you happen to can’t get them organized regionally. Try our ‘Where To Buy Meat Online’ information!
- Ensure the legs are fully thawed earlier than cooking.
- Until they’re contemporary off the boat, crab legs will arrive absolutely cooked, so you might be simply reheating them to take pleasure in. On this case, we’re steaming the claws with extra aromatics, with the identical previous bay in my conventional steamed blue crabs, and serving it with a melted butter.
What to serve with
These meaty crab legs are nice with one thing so simple as duck fats fries, however they’re additionally superb with (or in) creamy smoke mad and cheese, alongside a serving to of smoked potato salad, and even some grilled corn in husks so that you don’t have to fret about utensils.
Wine Pairing
Follow a buttery white wine like Chardonnay or a light-weight fruity Pinot Grigio or Gris. And sometimes reside on the wild aspect and pair crab with a crisp Rosé.
Reheating & Leftovers
Fridge: Double-wrap in plastic wrap tightly so it stays contemporary and saved within the fridge. For those who actually wish to hold it further contemporary, place ice in a Ziploc bag and place it on high of the dish coated in plastic wrap. If saved correctly, leftovers will last as long as 4 days. You may eat the leftovers chilly or in quite a lot of dishes.
Leftovers: Burn up leftovers in a crab omelet or eggs benedict. Make a deviled crab and spoon it over grilled steaks. Stuff leftover Dungeness crab meat in ravioli or seafood pasta. Merely put, most dishes may be elevated with a bit leftover crab.
Extra Simple crab recipes
For those who have a good time crab season like we do, this recipe is a must-try. It’s easy and reveals off the flavour of the crab with none distractions. For those who give it a go, you’ll want to price the recipe card and depart a remark to assist out the following individual.
Steaming Dungeness crab legs is a straightforward but rewarding course of. 🦀🔥 As soon as completely cooked, these succulent crab legs ship a pleasant style of the ocean. Serve them with melted butter and contemporary lemon wedges for a heavenly seafood expertise.
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For the steamed crab legs
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Rinse the crab legs beneath chilly water and pat dry.
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Prep a big pot by including simply sufficient water to the touch the underside of a steamer basket.
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Place the pot of chilly water over low warmth, simply to deliver the water to a delicate simmer.
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In the meantime, place the crab legs within the steamer basket and sprinkle liberally with the Previous Bay spice mix.
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Set the basket with the crab legs over the simmering water and canopy, leaving a small hole for steam to flee.
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Steam the Dungeness crab for 7 to 10 minutes, simply to reheat.
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In the meantime, soften the butter in a small sauce pan over low warmth.
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Rigorously switch the crab legs to a serving platter and brush the meat of the physique with melted butter.
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Serve instantly with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of contemporary parsley.
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Use a crab cracker to softly crack open the shells and get to the meat.
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Dip within the melted butter and luxuriate in.
Ensure the legs are fully thawed earlier than cooking.
Until they’re contemporary off the boat, crab legs will arrive absolutely cooked, so you might be simply reheating them to take pleasure in.
Add garlic to the melted butter for scrumptious garlic butter sauce. A splash of sizzling sauce can be enjoyable.
Serving: 1g | Energy: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 40g | Fats: 14g | Saturated Fats: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 3g | Trans Fats: 0.5g | Ldl cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 760mg | Potassium: 820mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 607IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 2mg
Recipe FAQs
Sure, you possibly can improve the candy taste of your crab legs by including varied seasonings to the steaming water. Frequent selections embody bay leaves, garlic, lemon slices, and Previous Bay seasoning as we used within the recipe card.
Dungeness crab legs are scrumptious on their very own, however you possibly can elevate the eating expertise with dipping sauces like melted butter, cocktail sauce, garlic butter, or a tangy mustard sauce just like the one we use with our Stone Crab claws.
To crack open Dungeness crab legs, you possibly can typically press on the shell of the leg along with your thumbs and snap it open. However that may be onerous and even trigger scratches. For ease, use a crab cracker or nutcracker to softly break the shells alongside the segments. You can too use a small seafood fork or decide to take away the fragile meat from the shell.
Sure, you possibly can grill, bake, or broil Dungeness crab legs for a distinct taste profile. Grilling provides a smoky contact, whereas baking or broiling gives a roasted style.
