How to Steam Crabs: Mother-in-Law’s Perfect Method
Steaming Crabs Perfectly for Any Season
Crabs are delicious year-round, but they are said to be most nutritious and full of roe during their spawning season. Here’s a detailed guide from preparation to enjoying them, as taught by my mother-in-law. Learn how to perfectly steam crabs to savor their sweet meat and rich innards.
Ingredients- 6 live, fresh crabs
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Fresh, live crabs are packed with nutrients and incredibly delicious when simply steamed. You don’t need complex seasonings to enjoy their natural, deep sweetness and rich flavor.
Step 2
It’s crucial to clean the crabs thoroughly. Use a stiff brush to scrub all parts, including crevices and legs, under running water. This removes any dirt or debris, ensuring a clean taste.
Step 3
Once cleaned, the crabs are ready to be steamed. Arrange them carefully in your steamer basket. Now, here’s a key tip for perfect steaming!
Step 4
Place the crabs ‘upside down’ on the steamer basket, with their belly facing upwards. This prevents the rich juices and innards from spilling out during steaming, keeping everything contained and concentrating the flavor.
Step 5
[★Pro Tip★] Always steam crabs ‘upside down’ (belly up). This ensures the flavorful juices and innards remain inside the shell, resulting in a cleaner and more delicious steamed crab. 
Step 6
Now, let’s get ready to enjoy the steamed crab! Start by gently lifting and detaching the ‘apron’ or the triangular flap on the underside of the crab. This is where the body shell connects to the legs.
Step 7
After removing the apron, you’ll see a gap between the body shell and the meat. Carefully insert your fingers or a spoon into this gap and gently pull the shell apart. Be gentle to avoid breaking the shell.
Step 8
The detached crab shell is a treasure trove of flavor! Use a spoon to scoop out the delicious roe and innards, along with any meat clinging to the shell. Mix this with a bit of warm rice for an incredibly savory crab-flavored rice – it’s divine!
Step 9
Next, we’ll prepare the body for easier eating. Use kitchen shears to cut the crab body in half lengthwise. This makes it much easier to access and eat the sweet meat inside.
Step 10
When you cut the body, you’ll see the ‘lungs’ (gill covers) and the feathery ‘gills’ inside. These parts are not typically eaten and can have an unpleasant texture, so carefully trim and discard them with your scissors. Now, your crab is perfectly prepared and ready to be enjoyed!
Step 11
Your perfectly steamed crab, full of sweet meat and rich roe, is ready to be savored! Enjoy a wonderful meal with your loved ones.
