Cooking Crab
BRING A LARGE POT TO A ROLLING BOIL
Grab a pot large enough to fit the amount of crab you have comfortably, they shouldnt be packed too tight. Use a steaming rack if available so that the crabs cook more evenly. You’ll need to add around 2 inches of water to the pot and then bring it to a boil.
LOWER THE CRAB INTO THE POT
Add the crab to the pot and season however you would like. Old Bay is most common for blue crabs however Slap Ya’ Mama and other creole seasonings are becoming more popular everyday. Cover the pot with a lid and allow them to steam.
*FOR LIVE BLUE CRABS
The length of time you steam live crabs will depend on their size and the amount you have. In general it should take 15 to 20 minutes for a dozen blue crabs. Add 5 minutes for every additional half dozen. Live blue crabs should be a bright red color when finished cooking.
*FOR CRAB LEGS (SNOW AND KING)
Snow and King crab legs are always precooked so you are only using the steaming process to reheat them. In general it should take 5 to 8 minutes for 2 pounds of either crab legs. Add 4 minutes for every additional 2 pounds. For larger King crab legs be sure to check the thickest point as they may take additional time to heat through the middle.
SIMPLE TIP!
The best way to tell if a crab is finished cooking is by testing the temperature of the thickest part, it should read at least 145°F.