What are the best tips for cooking crab?

Most crab sold is pre-cooked — you're just reheating. Live crab goes in boiling water headfirst. Serve with drawn butter and lemon.

What internal temperature should crab reach?

Crab should reach 145°F / 63°C for safe consumption.

Steam (legs) at 5–7 min (pre-cooked). Best for pre-cooked legs. Doesn't waterlog.

Roast (legs) at 18–15 min. Brush with garlic butter. Pre-cooked only.

Grill (legs) at 5–7 min, turning. Pre-cooked. Brush with butter. Smoky flavor.

protein

Whole Dungeness, king crab legs, or snow crab

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Safe Internal Temp

145°F / 63°C

↕ Slide the temperature to see how cook times change

Rolling boil, heavily salted5–7 min (pre-cooked) / 15–18 min (live)

✎ Pre-cooked just needs reheating. Live: 15–18 min.