5.0 from 15 votes
Steamed Spider Crabs
This is your basic, master recipe for cooking spider crabs of any species.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 569 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Appetizer , Lunch
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 5 to 7 pounds whole spider crabs, alive
- 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- 5 to 10 bay leaves (optional)
- 1 cup Butter, melted
- 2 lemons, quartered
Instructions
- If using, scatter the bay leaves in the bottom of a very large pot.
- Set a steamer insert into the pot. If you don't have one, you can crumple up foil into large blocks or balls that you can rest the crabs on, so they are not submerged. Fill the pot with enough water to just about come over the level of the steamer insert, about 3 to 5 inches.
- If using, dust the live spider crabs with the Old Bay Seasoning. They won't mind.
- Get the water boiling in the pot, then lower the crabs into the steamer and cover it tightly. Steam over medium-high heat for 30 minutes.
- While this is happening, melt the butter and put it in little ramekins for everyone. Also get a large basin of ice water ready. Your sink is usually your best bet.
- When the crabs are done (they'll be red), plunge them into the ice water for a couple minutes to cool off. This helps the meat come away from the shell.
- To eat, pull the top of the carapace off the crab. Clean out the insides, which are icky and gooey. Remove all the feathery gills - they are toxic! Pull away all the legs from the body, trying to get the meat that is attached to the base, which is delicious. My advice is to pre-crack the claws before you serve, because you'll likely need a hammer.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
569kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
28g
(56%)
Fat
48g
(74%)
Saturated Fat
30g
(150%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Trans Fat
2g
Cholesterol
182mg
(61%)
Sodium
1553mg
(65%)
Potassium
438mg
(13%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
1702IU
(34%)
Vitamin C
40mg
(44%)
Calcium
181mg
(18%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 569
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 569kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 48g | 74% |
| Saturated Fat | 30g | 150% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 2g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 182mg | 61% |
| Sodium | 1553mg | 65% |
| Potassium | 438mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1702IU | 34% |
| Vitamin C | 40mg | 44% |
| Calcium | 181mg | 18% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.