Dungeness Crab
This Dungeness Crab recipe showcases the naturally sweet, tender flavor of fresh Pacific Coast crab with a simple preparation using lemon, garlic, and sea salt. Perfect for seafood feasts, holidays, or elegant dinners at home, Dungeness Crab is easy to prepare and pairs beautifully with melted butter and fresh herbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2–4 servings
- Category: Dinner / Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Steaming
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 whole cooked Dungeness crab
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- 2 lemon halves
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Optional Serving Additions
- Old Bay seasoning
- Garlic butter sauce
- Crusty bread
- Corn on the cob
- Roasted potatoes
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add the sea salt, lemon halves, garlic cloves, and bay leaves.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Carefully place the Dungeness crab into the pot and cover with a lid.
- Cook for 8–10 minutes if using pre-cooked crab, or until the shell turns bright orange-red if cooking fresh crab.
- Remove the crab carefully using tongs and allow it to cool slightly.
- Crack the legs and body sections using seafood crackers, kitchen shears, or the back of a heavy spoon.
- Gently remove the crab meat from the shell.
- Serve warm with melted butter, parsley, and optional side dishes.
Notes
Steaming the crab instead of boiling helps preserve its delicate flavor and texture.Avoid overcooking, as crab meat can become dry and tough.Add Cajun seasoning or Old Bay for extra flavor.Dungeness crab meat can be used in pasta, salads, chowders, sandwiches, and crab cakes.Fresh lemon juice enhances the sweetness of the crab meat beautifully.
Find it online: https://cookibly.com/dungeness-crab/
