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Home » Seafood

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Snow Crab Like a Chef

Published: Feb 5, 2017 · Modified: Jan 11, 2022 by Steven Pennington · This post may contain affiliate links | disclosure policy

Learning how to clean crabs can be easy if you have little guidance and good technique. Have you ever wanted to know how to get all of the crab meat out in one piece?

Snow crab steamed on a bowl with seasoning on top.

Cleaning Snow Crab (Fine Dining Style)

1. Detach the Legs

  • Gently disconnect all four legs.
  • Place your thumbs between each joint and twist lightly; the legs will separate easily.

2. Remove the Ends

  • Start with the knuckles on both ends of the leg.
  • Pull them off carefully to expose the meat within.

3. Extract the Meat from the Legs

  • Use a fork to open the shell along its length, similar to opening a letter.
  • Slowly and carefully pull out the meat in one piece. Patience is key here for clean results.

4. Work on the Claw Meat

  • For the claw, the shell is tougher, so it requires a bit more effort.
  • Use a cracker or the back of a knife to gently break the shell.
  • Extract the sweet and tender meat inside-it's worth the extra work!

5. Check the Joints for Hidden Meat

  • The smaller sections of the legs often hold hidden bits of meat.
  • Pinch the joint areas gently from different angles to loosen the meat.
  • Pull it out carefully to avoid waste.

6. Enjoy the Delicate Pieces

  • Pinch the smaller ends of the legs and pull gently to extract any remaining meat.
  • This step often reveals sweet, overlooked portions that elevate the dining experience.
Snow crabs in wok with steam.

Tips for Fine Dining Presentation

  • Arrange the cleaned meat on a plate with garnishes like lemon wedges or parsley.
  • Serve with melted butter or a light seafood sauce for a refined touch.

Gotta covered in this video. Hope you enjoy it...

In this video, I'll show you a secret part of the crab with some of the sweetest meat.

The best time of year for Alaskan crab fisheries occur in the fall and winter; the seasons are often short, lasting less than four weeks. In the Bering Sea specifically, the two most active months are October and January.

Watch Our How-To Video:

How To Clean Snow Crab Fine Dining Style

YouTube video

Crab season usually begins in mid-November and, technically, runs to June or July, depending on location. However, 80 percent of the local Dungeness crab is brought in by the end of December. So, to get the biggest, sweetest, freshest crabs, enjoy them before the winter is over.

How To Clean Snow Crab Fine Dining Style

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