Boiled Crab Claws

Boiled Crab Claws are a delicious and simple seafood treat that anyone can prepare at home. This recipe uses fresh ingredients to bring out the natural sweetness of the crab meat. It is a light dish that works perfectly for a quick lunch or a fancy dinner starter. You only need a few basic pantry staples and a large pot to get started.
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Photo of the finished dish for the recipe Boiled Crab Claws

Benefits of making boiled crab claws

This recipe is a great choice for a simple seafood dinner. It requires very few ingredients and lets the natural flavour of the crab shine through. You can prepare boiled crab claws in just a few minutes which makes it ideal for a quick meal. It is a light and healthy option that feels special enough for guests.

Follow these 4 steps for boiled crab claws

Step 1
Prepare the pot: Fill a large pot with water and add salt, lemon slices, parsley and a bay leaf. Bring the liquid to a boil over a high heat.
Step 2
Boil the claws: Place the crab claws into the boiling water carefully. Let the water come back to a boil and cook them for about eight minutes.
Step 3
Drain the claws: Use a large colander to drain the water from the boiled crab claws. Rinse them briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Step 4
Serve the dish: Serve the crab claws while they are still warm or chilled with a side of melted butter. Provide a nutcracker so guests can easily reach the meat inside.

Tips to make boiled crab claws even better

Use fresh seafood for the best results. Adding plenty of salt to the water helps bring out the natural sweetness of the meat. You can add extra herbs or spices like peppercorns to the boiling water for more depth. Make sure the water is at a rolling boil before adding the boiled crab claws to the pot.

If the claws are very large they might need an extra minute of cooking time. Always have some lemon wedges ready to squeeze over the meat before eating. If you prefer to eat them cold, place them in a bowl of ice water immediately after boiling to keep the meat firm.

You may also like wrap with crispy plaice, indonesian chicken bake or pickled pearl onions.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 1 kg crab claws
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley
  • 1 bay leaf

Cooking time

Kitchen tools

Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:690 kJ / 165 kcal
  • Fat:2 g
  • - of which saturates:0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates:0 g
  • - of which sugars:0 g
  • Protein:35 g
  • Fibre:0 g
  • Salt:850 mg

People also ask

Cooking time depends on whether the claws are fresh or precooked. For fresh claws, eight minutes in boiling water is usually enough. If they are already cooked and you are just reheating them, three minutes will suffice for the boiled crab claws.
Yes, boiled crab claws are often served chilled as part of a seafood platter. Simply boil them as instructed and then place them in an ice bath immediately. Store the boiled crab claws in the fridge until you are ready to serve with a dip.
You should use a dedicated nutcracker or a small kitchen hammer to open the shell. Apply gentle pressure to avoid crushing the meat inside. It is helpful to provide small forks so guests can pull the meat from the boiled crab claws.
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4.7 / 5 - (12 ratings)