Steaming and boiling are the most popular ways to cook and enjoy crabs. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with blue crabs, king crabs, snow crabs, Maryland blues, or Dungeness crabs; these cooking methods keep the crabmeat moist and tender.

When it comes to steamed vs boiled crab, which is the best way to guarantee the tastiest seafood feast? Let’s explore the differences between the two cooking styles so you can make the best choice.

Is Crab Better Steamed or Boiled?

The good news is that steaming and boiling are both great ways to cook crab. Which one is better has more to do with personal preference than anything. 

Some people believe steamed crab tastes better, while others believe a good old-fashioned crab boil is the only way to go.

Your go-to style depends on what an ideal and tasty crustacean dish is for you.

For instance, if you like super juicy crab steeped in aromatics and the typical spices of a seafood boil, you’d probably prefer to cook it in a big pot of boiling water (maybe even with a generous sprinkling of old bay seasoning). 

On the other hand, you’d probably rather steam crabs if you love to savor their natural flavor with minimal seasoning or spices.

Both approaches definitely have their perks and quirks to explore.

Steaming Crabs

Steaming is a more subtle process for cooking crabs. It involves arranging them layer after layer in a steamer basket that sits 2 to 3 inches above the bottom of the steam rack to prevent them from being submerged in water. Add enough water to come just up to the bottom of the steamer. Then, heat the water on high heat so it gets to a rolling boil so that the steam rises to cook the crabs.

The steaming process locks in the organic flavor and natural water content, so you get more of the typical crab taste. Steamed crabs also have more supple crab meat and provide a cleaner or less water-logged experience. 

The potential negative downside to this approach is that it barely allows the crab to soak up seasonings or spices. 

Pros of Steaming Crabs

• Preserves the natural flavor of crabs
• Crabmeat becomes tender or supple
• Crabs aren’t waterlogged 
• Provides a clean or mess-free dining experience 

Cons of Steaming Crabs

• Doesn’t absorb seasonings or aromatics very much 
• Not as straightforward as boiling

Boiling Crabs

Boiling crabs is the easy way to cook them. It involves submerging them in a large pot of water with sea salt and other seasonings, like Old Bay, Mrs. Dash, black pepper, or red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper if you like spice! Then, place the lid over the pot and cook until the crabs start to float and their color becomes brighter. 

This method provides you with a crab dish that’s super juicy and flavor-packed because the crabs soak up the seasoned broth. 

As for texture, boiled crabs are a bit firm, unlike steamed crabs, which are pretty tender. 

The potential downside to this technique of preparing crabs is that you run the risk of destroying their texture or taste if you boil them for too long. Since cooking times vary depending on the type and size of crab, overcooking is more of a risk here. If you love the inherent flavor of crab, another considerable downside is that the original crab taste leaches away from the meat as it’s boiled.

Pros of Boiling Crabs

• Enhances the flavor of crab meat
• Easy absorption of seafood-compatible spices
• Very simple cooking method
• Crabmeat becomes supple yet firm
• Shorter cooking time

Cons of Boiling Crabs

• Crabs retain water 
• Crabs lose their natural flavor

How Long Should You Steam Crabs?

Smaller crabs are typically steamed for 10 to 15 minutes. Bigger crabs, on the other hand, are steamed for 15 to 20 minutes or longer if they’re larger than usual. 

You’ll know when your crabs are finished when their exterior shells are brighter in color and their meat flakes off when poked with a fork. 

You can add some vinegar to the water in your steamer pot to reduce its boiling point so that your crabs steam faster. White vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work, and it can also make it easier to remove crab meat from the shell once the crabs are steamed.

Reheating Crab by Steaming

Steaming is also a great way to reheat already-cooked crabs and only takes about 7 to 8 minutes.

How Long Should You Boil Crabs?

To achieve the best taste, texture, and flavor, boil small to medium-sized crabs for about 8 minutes. Larger crabs should be boiled for about 15 to 20 minutes. 

When the crabs start floating and becoming brighter in color, turn off the heat and let them cool for a bit before eating or storing them.

Crabs degrade pretty fast, so it’s important that you don’t leave them out for more than an hour.

For best results, avoid overboiling your crabs, as this gives the final product a rubbery texture.

Reheating Crab by Boiling

You can also reheat cooked crabs by boiling them, which usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes.

Which Cooking Method is Best for Crabs?

You can steam, boil, fry, bake, or grill crabs. The best technique depends on your preferences and the dish you want to make. 

Steaming and boiling are the best ways to cook crabs because they are the most popular or widely used processes. However, there are benefits to the other styles.

Steaming 

Steaming is the most popular way to cook crabs. The steaming process keeps the crabs nice and moist and can be used in a wide range of recipes.

This process preserves more of its nutrients and guarantees you’ll be left with that fresh crab meat flavor. 

A major limitation of steaming is that it only allows minimal spices or seasonings to be absorbed into the crab. 

However, this can be tackled by avoiding seasoning the crab itself and steaming it with a flavorful broth consisting of old bay, garlic, butter, lemon juice, olive oil, white wine, and other condiments rather than just plain water.

Boiling 

Boiling is a widely popular cooking style for a crab feast or a traditional seafood boil.

It provides maximum flavor by allowing easy absorption of spices or seasonings and can be used to prepare most crab recipes or dishes. 

Boiled crabs have a tender and juicy texture that is enhanced in yummy crab soups and other dishes. They are also perfect for snacking.

Frying 

Frying is not very common when it comes to crabs since the hard shell makes it difficult to cook it this way. Frying and battering work better for seafood without a tough exoskeleton, like fish and shrimp.

However, frying is common for soft shell crab since you can eat the shell in this case. It’s also possible to remove crab meat from hard shell crabs and then fry it. It’s important to note that this frying can significantly dry the crab meat out, making it less savory or tasty to eat. 

Baking 

Baked crabs are just as straightforward to make as boiled crabs and go well with dipping sauces like tartar sauce, aioli, mayo, butter, or another good quality oil. 

The only drawback to this style is that the oven heat can dry out the crab meat and give it a chewy texture, but a really good seafood spread can elevate the taste of baked crab. 

You can also line the bottom of your baking pan with lemon wedges to give your crabs an extra zingy flavor when baked. 

Grilling 

Grilling crabs is a less common but simple way to cook them. 

You can cook your crabs by carefully placing them on your grill and leaving them there for about 5 to 10 minutes. 

You can also grill sausages, potatoes, corn, and seafood like lobster and shrimp alongside your crabs for a seafood fest.

Can You Keep Crab for Leftovers?

You can most definitely keep crab for leftovers, but make sure that you follow proper storage methods and eat it within the recommended time to avoid spoiling.