How to Prepare and Cook Live Dungeness Crab | Pacific Northwest Cooking Guide

by Oleg Nikitenko November 15, 2025

🦀 How to Prepare and Cook Live Dungeness Crab: A Step-By-Step Guide from the Pacific Northwest

Few seafood experiences compare to cooking a live Dungeness crab at home. Known for its sweet, delicate meat and clean ocean flavor, Dungeness crab is one of the true culinary treasures of the Pacific Northwest.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to prepare, steam, and serve a live whole crab, including the often-overlooked step of steaming the claws separately for perfect texture.

🌊 Why Choose Live Dungeness Crab?

Live Dungeness crab delivers unbeatable freshness, sweetness, and tenderness. When cooked live, the crab retains:

  • Firm, juicy meat

  • Clean, natural flavor

  • Aromas of the Pacific Northwest

  • Superior texture compared to pre-cooked crab

It’s a simple truth: the fresher the crab, the better the taste.

🛒 Order Live Dungeness Crab:
👉 https://globalseafoods.com/products/dungeness-crab-live

Or explore more options:

🦀 Step 1: Preparing a Live Dungeness Crab

Start by keeping your crab cold and calm in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. Cold temperatures naturally relax the crab and make handling easier.

Preparation Steps

  1. Rinse the crab under cold running water.

  2. Remove any loose shell pieces or seaweed.

  3. Keep the crab chilled before steaming for best results.

💡 Tip: Use tongs or a towel to handle the crab safely.

♨️ Step 2: How to Steam a Whole Dungeness Crab

Steaming is the gold standard for cooking Dungeness crab. It preserves moisture and protects the naturally sweet flavor.

What You’ll Need

  • Large stockpot or steamer

  • 1–2 cups of water or seafood broth

  • Steamer rack

  • Optional: lemon, garlic, sea salt

Steaming Instructions

  1. Bring water to a strong simmer.

  2. Place the crab on the steamer rack.

  3. Steam for 12–18 minutes depending on size.

  4. The shell will turn bright orange when fully cooked.

  5. Allow to cool slightly before cleaning or cracking.

Never overcook — the meat should remain moist, firm, and tender.

🦀 Step 3: Cooking the Claws Separately for Perfect Texture

This step is often forgotten but extremely important for restaurant-quality results.

Because crab claws are thicker and denser, steaming them separately ensures perfect tenderness.

How to Cook the Claws

  1. Twist or cut off the claws before steaming.

  2. Place claws in a separate small pot or steamer.

  3. Steam for 7–10 minutes.

  4. Crack gently with the back of a knife.

The result?
Perfectly steamed claws with intact, juicy meat.

🍽️ Serving & Flavor Tips

Dungeness crab is extremely versatile — enjoy it simply or dress it up.

Best Serving Ideas

  • Melted butter with garlic

  • Lemon wedges

  • Fresh herbs

  • Old Bay or seafood seasoning

  • Crab salad, pasta, or risotto

Crack legs along the joints, remove the top shell, and scoop out the body meat for a full feast.

🌍 Why Pacific Northwest Dungeness Crab Is So Special

Dungeness crab thrives in the cool, clean waters of the U.S. West Coast, especially Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. Strict sustainability rules ensure the fishery remains healthy and productive.

Global Seafoods sources crab directly from these cold, nutrient-rich waters, delivering unmatched freshness with every order.

Explore more Pacific Northwest seafood:

🎥 Watch the Full Cooking Video

See the full process —
From live crab → steaming → cleaning → serving.

🔥 Watch here:
👉 https://globalseafoods.com/blogs/video/how-to-cook-live-alaskan-red-king-crab
(You can update with the Dungeness crab version as soon as the video is uploaded.)

For more cooking videos:
🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Globalseafoods

🦀 Final Thoughts: Experience the True Taste of the Pacific Northwest

Cooking a live Dungeness crab at home is simpler than people think — and the flavor is worth every step. Its natural sweetness, firm texture, and pure ocean aroma make it one of the finest crabs in the world.

Whether you’re a chef, seafood enthusiast, or simply love fresh wild-caught seafood, this is one dish you’ll never forget.

🛒 Order Live Dungeness Crab Today:
https://globalseafoods.com/products/dungeness-crab-live

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