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Dungeness Crab - learn all about Dungeness crab, its season, price, recipes, how to eat the crab and a delicious roasted Dungeness crab recipe with butter and black pepper.
Dungeness Crab – My Favorite Crab
I love crustacean, such as fresh water prawn, but my favorite is definitely crab! I am so lucky that I live in California where I can get live Dungeness crab all year round. I consume them so much, especially during summer months when I host a backyard seafood fest with crawfish boil, shrimp boil or seafood boil, and a other summer seafood recipes like lobster rolls, garlic butter steamers, and clambake!
They are found on the west coast of the North America, from British Columbia all the way down to Southern California.
Dungeness Crab Season
When is dungeness crab in season? Every year, the crab season starts in November and runs through to summer months of June to July.
The peak season when Dungeness are the biggest are winter months, for example: December to January, when they are in the 2.5 lbs range, with the sweetest meat and the biggest crab claws.
Dungeness Crab Recipes
There are a variety of recipes to enjoy the crab. Here are some cooking methods to show you how to cook Dungeness crab:
- Roasted Dungeness crab
- Boiled
- Chinese-style Ginger and Scallion Crab
- Chili Crab
- Crab Noodle
- Crab Cakes
- Added to Louisiana cajun seafood boil
Roasted Dungeness Crab
Today, I am sharing an easy and super delicious recipe with you. The crab is roasted with butter, black pepper and great for entertaining.
How To Make Roasted Dungeness Crab
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Using the flat side of a knife, press down to smash the black peppercorns and chop them roughly. Heat the butter in the microwave, then add the crushed black pepper and salt. Stir to mix well.
Step 2. To kill a live Dungeness crab, stab it in the middle of the body, just above its abdominal area. Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow all the murky dark water inside the crab to drain out. Rinse the crab and pat it dry with water.
Step 3. Coat the crab with the black pepper butter mixture and roast in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, garnish with parsley and lemon wedges, and serve immediately.
How To Eat Dungeness Crab
Once the crab is cooked, it’s easy to enjoy the crab meat inside. Use a pair of cracker (or even your teeth!) and hand gloves (optional) as the tools.
Below are the step-by-step guide to enjoy the crab meat.
- Remove the top shell by flipping it open from the body. Use both hands; one holding on to the bottom part of the crab and the other hand flips open the shell. Discard the shell.
- Remove the gills on the crab.
- Snap and break the crab into halves.
- Separate each crab leg and crab claw from the cluster using your hands. They should break off from the cluster quite easily.
- Use the cracker to crack the shell on the claws and crab legs. Remove the shells and enjoy the sweet flesh.
- The crab meat is inside the cluster, separated by white soft shells of the cluster. Pick the crab meat out with your fingers or use a small fork to remove all meat.
Practice makes perfect. Crab meat is so delicious and it’s worth it to pick out the meaty flesh.
What Is the Price For Dungeness Crab
Believe it when I say this, Dungeness crab is not pricey if you know where to buy it.
If you live in a city with Chinese and Asian markets, you will be able to find live Dungeness crab swimming in a water tank in the fish department.
The crab is sold for an average of $5.99 – $8.99 per lb here in California. During its peak season, the price could be as low as $3.99 per lb, which means that a live crab is less than $10 and you can get it cleaned, chopped up, steamed or deep-fried at no extra charge!
However, I understand that many of you do not live in a city with an Asian market. In that case, you can always try Costco and you will be able to buy it at a reasonable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is only 235 calories per serving.
What To Serve With This Recipe
Serve the crab with garlic noodles, garlic Parmesan spaghetti and side dishes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Dungeness Crab
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 Dungeness crab
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Using the flat side of a knife, press down to smash the black peppercorns and chop them roughly. Heat the butter in the microwave, then add the crushed black pepper and salt. Stir to mix well.
- To kill a live Dungeness crab, stab it in the middle of the body, just above its abdominal area. Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow all the murky dark water inside the crab to drain out. Rinse the crab and pat it dry with water.
- Coat the crab with the black pepper butter mixture and roast in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, garnish with parsley and lemon wedges, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Dungeness crab is the best! You’re so lucky to be able to get best and fresh all year long.
I agree, yes lucky to get Dungeness crab fresh. :)
I go out my way to have Dungeness Crabs delivered fresh to me. I don’t care how much it cost. I Love All Crabs.