How to Clean Crab Claws – The Best Way to Prepare Crab at Home

by Oleg Nikitenko March 06, 2025

How to Clean Crab Claws – A Step-by-Step Guide

Crab claws are a seafood delicacy that can elevate any meal, but proper preparation is essential to unlocking their full flavor and texture. Whether you’re working with Snow Crab, King Crab, or Dungeness Crab, each type requires specific cleaning techniques.

Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to clean and prepare crab claws like a pro, ensuring you get the best taste and presentation every time.

Step 1: Select the Right Type of Crab Claws

Each type of crab offers a unique texture and flavor. Choose the right one for your dish:

🦀 Snow Crab Claws

✔ Taste & Texture: Sweet, delicate, and easy to crack.
✔ Best Cooking Methods: Steaming, boiling.
✔ 🛒 Buy Fresh Snow Crab Claws

🦀 King Crab Claws

✔ Taste & Texture: Large, meaty, slightly sweet.
✔ Best Cooking Methods: Grilling, broiling.
✔ 🛒 Shop King Crab Claws

🦀 Dungeness Crab Claws

✔ Taste & Texture: Nutty, tender, versatile.
✔ Best Cooking Methods: Steaming, baking, boiling.
✔ 🛒 Order Dungeness Crab Claws

Step 2: Purchase Fresh Crab Claws

Ensure your crab claws are fresh by checking for:
✔ Firmness – Should feel firm, not mushy.
✔ Color – Snow Crab = reddish; King Crab = deep orange-red.
✔ Smell – A clean, ocean-like scent (avoid strong fishy odors).

For the freshest selection, check out Global Seafoods for premium crab claws.

Step 3: Remove the Top Shell

🦀 Snow Crab Claws

✔ Use kitchen scissors to cut along the shell’s edge.
✔ Gently peel it away to reveal the tender meat.

🦀 King Crab Claws

✔ Use heavy-duty kitchen shears or a crab cracker.
✔ Start at the base, cutting upward to avoid damaging the meat.

🦀 Dungeness Crab Claws

✔ Use kitchen shears to cut along the top.
✔ Carefully peel away the shell to expose the meat.

Removing the shell makes seasoning & cooking easier and more flavorful.

Step 4: Clean the Crab Claws

Remove gills and grey matter, as they are not edible:

✔ Snow Crab: Small amount of grey matter – use fingers or a spoon.
✔ King Crab: Larger gills & grey matter – remove thoroughly.
✔ Dungeness Crab: Moderate grey matter – clean with care.

This removes bitterness and ensures fresh, clean meat.

Step 5: Crack the Shell

🦀 Snow Crab Claws

✔ Thin shell – gently crack with a crab cracker or hands.

🦀 King Crab Claws

✔ Thick shell – use heavy-duty crackers or pliers.
✔ Apply even pressure to avoid shattering the shell into the meat.

🦀 Dungeness Crab Claws

✔ Medium shell – standard crab cracker works best.

Cracking the shell properly keeps meat intact for better presentation.

Step 6: Remove the Meat

✔ Snow Crab: Pull out the meat using fingers or a fork.
✔ King Crab: Use a seafood pick or small fork to extract meat in large pieces.
✔ Dungeness Crab: Carefully remove meat without breaking it apart.

Step 7: Rinse the Meat

✔ Snow Crab: Rinse under cold water to remove shell fragments.
✔ King Crab: Quick rinse to ensure no shell pieces remain.
✔ Dungeness Crab: Rinse gently for clean, fresh meat.

This keeps the meat pure, clean, and ready for cooking.

Step 8: Store the Crab Meat

If not using immediately, store properly to maintain freshness:

✔ Snow Crab: Refrigerate in an airtight container, use within 1-2 days.
✔ King Crab: Wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate up to 2 days, or freeze up to 3 months.
✔ Dungeness Crab: Refrigerate 1-2 days, or freeze for longer storage.

🛒 Buy Fresh Crab Meat

FAQs About Cleaning and Preparing Crab Claws

Q: Can I cook crab claws without removing the shell?

✔ No, removing the shell helps flavor absorption and ensures even cooking.

Q: Can I eat the grey matter?

✔ No, the grey matter is part of the digestive system and should be discarded.

Q: Can I freeze crab meat?

✔ Yes, store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Where to Buy Fresh Crab Claws & Meat Online

For premium, sustainably sourced crab, shop at Global Seafoods:

🦀 Snow Crab Legs & Clusters – Sweet, tender, and easy to prepare.
🦀 Golden King Crab – Large, meaty, and flavorful.
🦀 Dungeness Crab Whole – A classic West Coast favorite.
🦀 Dungeness Crab Clusters – Perfect for cracking and dipping.
🦀 Cocktail Claws – Ideal for appetizers and seafood platters.
🦀 Fresh Dungeness Crab Meat – Perfect for crab cakes, soups, and dips.

📺 Watch More Seafood Preparation Tips on YouTube
➡ Subscribe to Global Seafoods YouTube

Conclusion – Enjoy Perfectly Cleaned Crab Claws

Cleaning crab claws may seem challenging, but following these steps makes it easy and rewarding.

✔ Prefer delicate flavors? Try Snow Crab Claws.
✔ Love meaty textures? Go for King Crab Claws.
✔ Want nutty sweetness? Choose Dungeness Crab Claws.

For the freshest, highest-quality crab, visit Global Seafoods today! 🦀🍽️