If youre trying to cook crab legs at home, its easy to make mistakes. However its prepared, crab is one of the greatest indulgences in life: Succulent crab legs dipped in melted butter. Tender crab cakes tucked into a bun. Crisp soft-shell crab coated in flaky tempura batter.
We spoke with two seafood experts to get the lowdown for folks cooking with crab, such as how to avoid or remedy common mistakes. Bill Nevruz is executive partner at Shaws Crab House in Chicago, which features crab throughout the menu, including the menus two most popular items: Maryland-style crab cakes and red king crab legs with drawn butter. The restaurant has two locations in Chicagoland and orders more than 30,000 pounds of crab each year.
We also spoke with Jason Hedlund, who has worked in the retail seafood industry for 24 years and is the principal global seafood buyer for Whole Foods Market. The Amazon-owned chain carries year-round crab, such as previously frozen clusters of king, snow, and Dungeness crab, as well as seasonal and local items like blue crab, blue swimming crab picked meats, and whole-cooked Dungeness crab. We asked for advice right from the experts: theres no need to head to the coast to enjoy great-tasting crab dishes if you avoid these common mistakes.
Yes, you can overcook king crab. Because it’s already cooked and just needs to be reheated, overcooking is a common mistake. This will make the crab tough, rubbery, and not as flavorful.
Cooking crab while it’s still frozen
By the time the crab youre buying has reached your supermarket, its likely been cooked and then flash-frozen so that itll taste fresh. However, for the best results, make sure to thaw the crab before you cook it. Hedlund of Whole Foods offers this advice for handling frozen crab: “Slow thaw under refrigeration and then high heat methods until just warmed through. You can steam, broil, or even grill, but just until warmed.”
The Alaskan King Crab Co., which ships crab overnight to home cooks, recommends removing vacuum-sealed packaging and thawing frozen crab in the refrigerator overnight. Defrosting your seafood on the counter, in the microwave, or submerging it in hot water are all no-nos, as they could cause bacteria growth and will negatively impact the texture and flavor.
Once the crab is completely thawed, its ready to prepare with your favorite recipe or cooking method — just be sure to eat the crab dish within three to five days and throw it out if it develops an “off” odor or a slimy texture.
Overlooking grilling when cooking crab
Turning to your gas or electric grill is another way to cook or heat crabs thats not to be overlooked. “Grilling on high heat can also be very nice,” agrees Nevruz. Heating crab legs on a hot grill only takes about 10 minutes and will give the crabs a smoky taste. You just need to make sure to only grill them until theyre heated through to avoid overcooking, and its best to heat them on indirect heat, rather than directly over the flame. You can also wrap clusters of crab legs in aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
Using the grill to make a whole feast centered around the crab is a fun and easy way to make a meal. Along with the crab, try grilling up corn on the cob, halved new potatoes, and some andouille sausages for a grilled version of a crab boil recipe. A generous dusting of Cajun spice mix over everything will add to the Louisiana flair of the feast. Dont forget to melt butter on the side burner for dipping.
Grilling works great for rock crab, snow or king crab legs, and Dungeness crabs.
How do you know when crab legs are done boiling?
FAQ
Does crab get mushy when overcooked?
What happens if you cook crab legs too long?
How can you tell if crab is undercooked?
What can happen if you eat too much crab?
What happens if you overcook crab legs?
If you happen to overcook crab legs, the results will be anything but pleasant. Overcooking crab legs and letting them remain in hot water for too long will cause the meat to turn yellow in color and emit a strong fishy odor.
Can You overcook crab?
The answer to this is yes; much like any other meal, it’s quite easy to overcook crab. When this happens, the meat becomes tough, rubbery, and difficult to enjoy. The simplest way to check for fully cooked crab meat is to watch out for the color transformation – from green to white or pink. Can You Get Sick From Undercooked Crab?
What does overcooked crab taste like?
With an overcooked crab, the outer shell will be light red or pinkish. Unfortunately, if you accidentally cook crab to this point, the inside flesh will be yellowish, mushy, and taste slightly fishy. Additionally, if you buy already-cooked crab meat or crab legs, the outside appearance will not change when you reheat them.
Are crabs overcooked or undercooked?
Overcooked crabs have pink shells and mushy, fishy flesh, while undercooked ones have dark shells and gelatinous meat. Enjoying a well-cooked crab with its rich, buttery flavor is a delight, but cooking it just right can be tricky, with risks of under or overcooking.