How Long Does It Take to Cook Crab?

Cooking times depend on the type of crab and whether it’s fresh, frozen, or pre-cooked. Most crab sold in stores is already pre-cooked and then frozen to preserve the quality of the meat. If that’s the type of crab you have, it only needs to be reheated. If crab is not pre-cooked, it should be live. Crabs need to be cooked while alive or immediately after they die because otherwise, bacteria begin to multiply rapidly in the meat, making it potentially unsafe to eat.

A good rule of thumb for how long to cook crabs is that once the shell turns bright and the meat is white and firm, it’s ready. But as a general rule of thumb, here are some approximate crab cooking times:

• Boiling crab legs takes about 5 to 7 minutes if they’re pre-cooked and frozen.
• Fresh (uncooked) crab legs or whole crabs take about 10 to 15 minutes to boil.
• Steaming crabs usually takes 15 to 20 minutes, depending on their size.

Some types of crab may take longer than others. For example, Dungeness crabs can take 12 to 15 minutes to boil or 18 to 20 minutes to steam. Stone crab claws may take about 8 to 10 minutes if boiling or steaming. You can also bake or grill them in about 10 to 15 minutes. King crab legs are usually already cooked and frozen, so they may only need 5 to 7 minutes if steaming or boiling, or you can also bake them in the oven in about 10 to 12 minutes.

Crab claws can be boiled, steamed, or baked. You can also crack them slightly before cooking to let flavors in if you’re adding seasoning. For best results:

• Boil for 6 to 8 minutes in salted water if the claws are uncooked.
• Steam for 10 minutes if frozen and pre-cooked.

Wondering how long can you keep cooked crabs in the refrigerator? Cooked crab should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and eaten within 3 to 5 days. This goes for crab legs, claws, or whole crabs.

If you’re planning on freezing crab meat or want to know the answer to the question “can you freeze cooked crab in the shell?”, you’ll be happy to know that crab is safe to freeze for up to 3 months both in and out of the shell, although crab in the shell may not last as long as unshelled meat in the freezer. Just be sure to wrap the crab tightly in foil or plastic wrap and then store in a freezer-safe bag or container.

Like all cooked crab, crab legs should be eaten within 3 to 5 days if refrigerated. If frozen, they’re best eaten within 2 to 3 months for peak flavor.

After cooking, let crabs cool slightly so they’re safe to handle. Then:

• Crack open the shell to remove the meat.
• Dip the meat in melted butter or lemon juice for a simple meal.
• Toss the meat into salads, pasta, or soups.
• Make one of our delicious healthy crab recipes (see below).
• Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer, depending on when you’ll eat them.