From Red Crabs to Red Sauce: Unique and Delicious Red Crab Recipes You Haven’t Tried Yet

September 25, 2024

Four Red Crab Recipes: Tomato Basil Cream Pasta, Fra Diavolo, Cioppino, and Crab-Stuffed Ravioli in Vodka Sauce

These four recipes share a common thread: tomato-based sauces that complement the natural sweetness of crab without overwhelming it. The key technique note that applies to all four: king crab legs and snow crab legs are sold pre-cooked and frozen; they do not need to be boiled until cooked through — they only need to be reheated. Boiling pre-cooked crab legs for more than 5–6 minutes makes the meat tough and rubbery. The correct approach is to steam or briefly simmer them just until heated through, then remove the meat from the shells. This applies to all four recipes below.

🔗 Snow Crab Legs | Golden King Crab | Dungeness Crab | Dungeness Crab Meat

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Choosing the Right Crab for Each Recipe

• Red king crab / golden king crab: the largest and most intensely flavored; sweet, rich, and slightly briny; best for preparations where the crab is the star and the sauce is a complement (fra diavolo, simple butter preparations); the leg meat is firm and holds up well to bold sauces; 🔗 Golden King Crab at Global Seafoods
• Snow crab: sweeter and more delicate than king crab; thinner shells; the meat is slightly more fibrous; best for lighter preparations where the delicate flavor can be appreciated (cream sauces, pasta, salads); 🔗 Snow Crab Legs at Global Seafoods
• Dungeness crab: the most versatile; sweet, tender, and slightly nutty; works in virtually any preparation; the whole crab or picked meat is ideal for cioppino, crab cakes, and pasta; 🔗 Dungeness Crab at Global Seafoods

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Recipe 1: Snow Crab Pasta in Tomato Basil Cream Sauce

Serves: 4 | Time: 30 minutes | Best crab: snow crab (the delicate flavor works well with the cream and tomato); Dungeness crab meat is an excellent substitute

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs (680g) snow crab leg clusters (yields approximately 8–10 oz of picked meat)
• 400g (14 oz) dried linguine
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
• ¾ cup heavy cream (36% fat)
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn (not chopped — tearing releases more aroma)
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving
• ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water
• Salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Reheat and pick the crab: steam the snow crab leg clusters over boiling water for 4–5 minutes until heated through (they are pre-cooked; do not boil for longer); remove the meat from the shells; set aside; reserve any liquid that drips from the shells — add it to the sauce
2. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil; cook linguine 2 minutes less than package directions; reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add shallot and cook 2–3 minutes until softened; add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute
4. Add crushed tomatoes; season with salt and pepper; simmer 10–12 minutes until slightly thickened and the raw tomato flavor has cooked out
5. Reduce heat to medium-low; add heavy cream; stir to combine; simmer 3–4 minutes until the sauce is a uniform pink-orange color and slightly thickened; do not boil vigorously after adding cream
6. Add the undercooked pasta to the sauce with ¼ cup pasta water; toss over medium heat 2–3 minutes until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed the sauce; add more pasta water if needed
7. Remove from heat; fold in the crab meat and basil; add Parmigiano-Reggiano; toss gently; serve immediately in warm bowls with additional cheese

Key technique: add the crab meat off the heat in the final step; the residual heat of the pasta and sauce is sufficient to warm it through; adding it earlier overcooks the delicate crab meat.

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Recipe 2: King Crab Fra Diavolo (Featured Recipe)

Serves: 4 | Time: 35 minutes | Best crab: golden king crab or red king crab; the bold, spicy fra diavolo sauce requires a crab with enough flavor to stand up to it; snow crab is too delicate for this preparation

Fra diavolo (Italian: “brother devil”) is a spicy tomato sauce from the Italian-American tradition; it is characterized by a significant amount of red pepper flakes and a clean, bright tomato flavor; it is not a cream sauce — the heat and acidity of the tomatoes are the defining characteristics.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900g) golden king crab leg clusters (yields approximately 12–14 oz of picked meat)
• 400g (14 oz) dried spaghetti or linguine
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (not ½ cup — that is excessive for a tomato sauce)
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• ½–1 tsp red pepper flakes (start with ½ tsp; add more to taste — fra diavolo should be genuinely spicy)
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
• Salt and black pepper
• Extra-virgin olive oil for finishing
• ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water

Instructions

1. Reheat and pick the crab: steam the king crab leg clusters over boiling water for 5–6 minutes until heated through (pre-cooked; do not boil for longer); crack the shells and remove the meat; cut into 2–3 inch pieces; set aside
2. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil; cook pasta 2 minutes less than package directions; reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining
3. Heat olive oil in a large, wide skillet over medium heat; add onion and cook 4–5 minutes until softened; add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 1–2 minutes until the garlic is golden (not brown)
4. Add white wine; increase heat to medium-high; cook 2–3 minutes until reduced by half
5. Add crushed tomatoes and oregano; season with salt; simmer 15 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded; taste and adjust heat (add more red pepper flakes if desired)
6. Add the undercooked pasta to the sauce with ¼ cup pasta water; toss over medium heat 2–3 minutes until al dente; add more pasta water if needed
7. Remove from heat; fold in the king crab pieces and parsley; drizzle with a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil; serve immediately

Why not to add the crab to the sauce earlier: king crab is pre-cooked; adding it to the simmering sauce for more than 1–2 minutes makes it tough and rubbery; fold it in off the heat and let the residual heat warm it through.

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Recipe 3: Dungeness Crab Cioppino

Serves: 6 | Time: 45 minutes | Best crab: Dungeness crab (whole or picked meat); cioppino originated in San Francisco’s Italian fishing community and Dungeness crab is the traditional and most authentic choice

Note on shellfish order of operations: different shellfish have different cooking times; adding them in the wrong order results in some being overcooked while others are undercooked; the correct order is: clams first (longest cooking time), then mussels, then shrimp (shortest cooking time), then crab meat (pre-cooked; only needs heating through).

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) Dungeness crab meat (or 1 whole cooked Dungeness crab, cracked and cleaned)
• ½ lb (225g) littleneck clams, scrubbed
• ½ lb (225g) mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• ½ lb (225g) large shrimp (16–20 count), peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 1 fennel bulb, finely diced (fennel is traditional in cioppino; it adds a subtle anise note that complements the seafood)
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
• 2 cups fish stock or clam juice
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
• Salt and black pepper
• Crusty sourdough bread for serving

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy pot (Dutch oven) over medium heat; add onion and fennel; cook 6–8 minutes until softened; add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute
2. Add white wine; increase heat to medium-high; cook 3 minutes until reduced by half
3. Add crushed tomatoes, fish stock, bay leaf, and oregano; bring to a simmer; cook 15 minutes until the broth is flavorful and slightly thickened; taste and season with salt and pepper
4. Add clams: add the clams to the broth; cover; cook 3–4 minutes
5. Add mussels: add the mussels; cover; cook 3–4 minutes until both clams and mussels have opened; discard any that remain closed
6. Add shrimp: add the shrimp; cook uncovered 2–3 minutes until pink and just cooked through; do not overcook
7. Add crab: add the Dungeness crab meat (or cracked crab pieces); cook 1–2 minutes until heated through; remove bay leaf
8. Ladle into wide, deep bowls; garnish with parsley; serve with crusty sourdough bread for dipping

Why fennel: fennel is a traditional cioppino ingredient that adds a subtle anise note and sweetness; it softens completely during cooking and is not detectable as a distinct flavor in the finished stew; it adds depth without being identifiable; if you dislike fennel, substitute an additional onion.

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Recipe 4: Crab-Stuffed Ravioli in Vodka Sauce

Serves: 4 | Time: 45 minutes | Best crab: Dungeness crab meat or snow crab meat; the delicate flavor of these species works well with the creamy vodka sauce; king crab is too bold and expensive for this preparation

Ingredients — Ravioli Filling

• 10 oz (280g) Dungeness or snow crab meat, picked over for shells
• ½ cup (120g) whole-milk ricotta, drained (place in a fine-mesh strainer for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture; wet ricotta makes the filling runny)
• ¼ cup (25g) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
• Salt and white pepper
• 1 package (50–60 count) square wonton wrappers (3.5-inch square; the most accessible substitute for fresh pasta sheets)
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water (egg wash for sealing)

Ingredients — Vodka Sauce

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
• ½ cup vodka (use a neutral vodka; the alcohol cooks off; the vodka extracts flavor compounds from the tomatoes that are not water-soluble)
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• Salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

1. Make the filling: combine drained ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, lemon zest, and chives; fold in the crab meat gently (do not overmix — you want visible pieces of crab in the filling); season with salt and white pepper; refrigerate until needed
2. Make the ravioli: lay wonton wrappers on a lightly floured surface; place 1 heaping teaspoon of filling in the center of each wrapper; brush the edges with egg wash; fold over to form a triangle (or place a second wrapper on top for square ravioli); press firmly to seal, removing any air pockets; set aside on a lightly floured baking sheet
3. Make the vodka sauce: melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add shallot and cook 2–3 minutes; add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute; add crushed tomatoes; season with salt; simmer 10 minutes
4. Add vodka: add vodka to the tomato sauce; cook over medium heat 3–4 minutes until the alcohol has cooked off (you can test by carefully smelling the steam — the sharp alcohol smell should be gone); do not add cream before the vodka has cooked off — the alcohol prevents the cream from incorporating properly
5. Reduce heat to low; add heavy cream; stir to combine; simmer gently 3–4 minutes until the sauce is a uniform pink-orange color; taste and adjust seasoning
6. Cook the ravioli: bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil; cook ravioli in batches (do not overcrowd) for 2–3 minutes until they float and the wonton wrapper is tender; remove with a slotted spoon directly into the vodka sauce
7. Toss gently to coat; serve in warm bowls; garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmigiano-Reggiano

Why vodka in vodka sauce: vodka extracts flavor compounds from tomatoes (specifically certain esters and aromatic compounds) that are not soluble in water but are soluble in alcohol; these compounds contribute to the sauce’s depth and complexity; the alcohol itself cooks off completely; the finished sauce does not taste of vodka.

🔗 Snow Crab Legs | Golden King Crab | Dungeness Crab Meat

🔗 Also see: Red Crabbing as a Business: Profitability and the IFQ System | Recreational Crabbing by Region: Dungeness, Blue Crab, and King Crab

🎥 Watch crab preparation videos on the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel

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FAQs: Red Crab Recipes

King crab and snow crab legs are sold pre-cooked — how do I reheat them without making the meat tough?

Pre-cooked crab legs (king crab, snow crab) are already fully cooked; the goal is to reheat them without overcooking: (1) Steaming (best method): place the crab legs in a steamer basket over 1–2 inches of boiling water; cover; steam 5–6 minutes for king crab, 4–5 minutes for snow crab; the legs are ready when they are hot throughout; (2) Oven (good for large quantities): wrap the crab legs in foil with 2 tbsp of water or butter; bake at 375°F (190°C) for 7–8 minutes; (3) Boiling (acceptable but not ideal): submerge in boiling water for 4–5 minutes; boiling for longer than 5–6 minutes makes the meat tough and rubbery; (4) Grilling: brush with butter; grill over medium heat 4–5 minutes per side; the shells char slightly and add a smoky flavor; (5) For pasta and sauce recipes: reheat the crab legs, remove the meat from the shells, and add the meat to the sauce off the heat in the final step; the residual heat of the sauce is sufficient to warm the meat through; adding pre-cooked crab to a simmering sauce for more than 1–2 minutes makes it tough; (6) How to tell when done: the meat should be hot throughout and slightly firm; it should not be rubbery or stringy; if it is rubbery, it has been overcooked.

What is fra diavolo sauce, and how spicy should it be?

Fra diavolo (Italian: “brother devil”) is a spicy tomato sauce from the Italian-American tradition: (1) Origin: fra diavolo is an Italian-American creation, not a traditional Italian sauce; it was developed by Italian immigrants in the US in the early 20th century; the name refers to the sauce’s fiery heat; (2) Defining characteristics: a significant amount of red pepper flakes (the defining ingredient); clean, bright tomato flavor (typically crushed San Marzano tomatoes); garlic; white wine; no cream (fra diavolo is a red sauce, not a cream sauce); (3) How spicy: fra diavolo should be genuinely spicy — not just “a little kick”; a proper fra diavolo uses ½–1 tsp of red pepper flakes for a sauce serving 4 people; start with ½ tsp and add more to taste; the heat should be noticeable and sustained, not just a background warmth; (4) The crab pairing: the sweetness of king crab meat provides a natural counterpoint to the heat of the fra diavolo sauce; this contrast is the defining characteristic of the dish; if the sauce is not spicy enough, the dish loses its identity; (5) Variations: some versions add a small amount of anchovy paste (1–2 tsp) to the sauce base for additional umami depth; this is optional but recommended; the anchovy flavor is not detectable in the finished sauce.

Why does vodka sauce taste different from regular tomato cream sauce, and does the vodka matter?

Vodka sauce vs. tomato cream sauce: (1) The chemistry: tomatoes contain flavor compounds (certain esters and aromatic molecules) that are not water-soluble but are alcohol-soluble; vodka extracts these compounds and distributes them throughout the sauce; when the alcohol cooks off, these flavor compounds remain in the sauce; the result is a tomato sauce with more depth and complexity than a water-based tomato sauce; (2) Does the vodka matter: yes, but the quality of the vodka matters less than you might think; a neutral, inexpensive vodka works as well as a premium one; the goal is the alcohol content, not the flavor of the vodka; (3) The alcohol cooks off: the alcohol in vodka sauce cooks off during the 3–4 minute reduction step; the finished sauce does not taste of vodka and is not alcoholic; (4) Why add vodka before cream: the vodka must be added to the tomato sauce and cooked off before the cream is added; if vodka is added after cream, the alcohol prevents the cream from incorporating properly and the sauce may break (separate into oil and liquid); always add vodka to the tomato base, cook off the alcohol, then add cream; (5) Substitutes: white wine can substitute for vodka; it adds acidity and some flavor compounds but does not extract the same tomato flavor compounds as vodka; the result is a slightly different sauce; gin (which contains botanical flavors) can also be used for a more complex, herbal variation.

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