How to Prepare Dungeness Crab Clusters

How to Prepare Dungeness Crab Clusters

If you've ever looked at a package of Dungeness crab clusters and thought, "How am I supposed to cook these?"—the answer is much simpler than you might expect.
 

Dungeness crab clusters can look a little intimidating when you first see them, especially if you’re not used to preparing whole crab at home. 

Sizzlefish Dungeness crab is already cooked, so you’re not starting with raw seafood that requires complicated preparation. The goal is simply to gently steam the clusters until they are heated through, keeping the meat tender, juicy, and full of its naturally sweet flavor.

There are several ways you can prepare crab clusters, including grilling, boiling, and steaming. For an easy at-home method, however, steaming is hard to beat. Here are two simple methods: stovetop steaming and oven steaming.

Start by Rinsing the Crab Clusters

Before steaming, rinse the Dungeness crab clusters well under cool running water. This helps remove any ice crystals or residue from the surface of the crab.

If your clusters are frozen, thaw them according to the package directions before preparing, or steam them from frozen if the product instructions allow. We recommend thawing seafood in the refrigerator for about 6 hours, with cool-water thawing as a faster option. Once rinsed, the crab is ready to cook!

Why the Oven Method Is Great for a Crowd

One of the biggest advantages of oven steaming is that you can prepare many crab clusters at once. Instead of trying to fit several clusters into a stovetop pot, a large roasting pan gives you plenty of room to spread the crab out in a single layer.

This makes the method particularly convenient when you're hosting a seafood dinner, holiday gathering, summer party, or any occasion where you're feeding a crowd

What to Serve with Dungeness Crab

Once the crab is warm, keep the serving simple. Melted butter and fresh lemon are classic accompaniments that let the naturally sweet flavor of Dungeness crab shine. You can also add fresh herbs, garlic butter, Old Bay-style seasoning, or a simple seafood dipping sauce.

Other Ways to Prepare Dungeness Crab Clusters

Steaming is one of the easiest methods, but it certainly isn't the only option. Dungeness crab clusters can also be grilled, boiled, or gently reheated in other ways.

Grilling is particularly delicious if you want to add a little smoky flavor. You can also incorporate the warmed crab meat into dishes such as crab rolls, pasta, salads, crab cakes, dips, or seafood boils.

The key with any preparation method is to remember that the crab is already cooked. You're simply reheating it, so avoid overcooking, which can cause the delicate meat to become dry or rubbery.

With these simple steaming methods, you can enjoy tender, sweet Dungeness crab at home anytime. No special skills or tools required!