Steamed Whole Dungeness Crab Recipe

Craving the sweet, succulent meat of Dungeness crab? Forget fancy seafood restaurants – pick up dinner from Costco and bring the ocean’s bounty to your own kitchen with a perfectly steamed Dungeness crab.

This West Coast treasure is an iconic seafood recipe. Cracking into that vibrant orange shell to reveal sweet, succulent meat is a ritual that turns dinner into an event. And the best part? It’s not complicated to make this at home!

Dungeness crab is prized for its incredibly sweet and delicate meat, making it a true seafood lover’s dream. While there are many ways to prepare Dungeness crab, this recipe offers a hassle-free approach using pre-cooked crab that allows the natural flavor to shine. You’ll need the whole crab for this recipe as opposed to our stone crab claws or grilled king crab legs. 

We’ve been cracking crabs for years, so we made a no-fuss recipe that lets the crab’s natural flavor shine. We’ll be using pre-cooked whole Dungeness crabs, readily available at stores like Costco, when they are in season, and no special equipment is needed—just you, a pot, and a craving for a feast.

The key here is steaming the crab with aromatics like lemon and garlic to gently warm it through and enhance its sweetness. The finishing touch? A simple yet decadent garlic butter sauce for dipping – pure indulgence in every bite!

What Is Dungeness Crab?

Dungeness crab is a real treat, especially if you live on the Pacific Coast. It’s a type of crab named after Dungeness Spit in Washington state, where they’re caught in abundance. These guys are identifiable by their wide, oval bodies covered in a hard shell, and their legs are shorter and stockier compared to other commercial crabs.

The real star of the show, though, is the meat inside. Dungeness crab meat is known for its delicate flavor and sweetness, and is considered one of the best tasting crabs, perfect for recipes like Maryland crab cake sandwiches, smoked crab imperial, and summer scallop and crab pasta. You can find them sold whole, already cooked and ready to eat, or sometimes even just the Dungeness crab legs themselves. 

Dungeness crab season typically runs from the summer months all the way down to early fall, so keep an eye out at your local fish market or Asian markets during that time!

Dungeness Crab Recipe Ingredients 

For Steaming the Crabs

• Water – for steaming the crabs.
• Lemon – provides a citrusy flavor to cut through the richness of the crab meat.
• Garlic cloves – adds a pungent kick.
• Old Bay seasoning – This seasoning blend typically includes paprika, celery seed, black pepper, and other spices. Adds that traditional “seafood” flavor. 
• 2 whole Dungeness crabs (pre-cooked) – Instead of cooking Dungeness crab from scratch, we use pre-cooked crab.

For the Garlic Butter Sauce

• Unsalted butter
• Garlic
• Fresh thyme (optional)

How to Prepare Dungeness Crab

1. Steam the Crabs: Fill a large pot with enough water to barely touch the bottom of a steamer basket. Add the lemon halves, smashed garlic cloves, and Old Bay seasoning to the water and bring to a boil then redulce to a gentle simmer.
2. Crab Time: Carefully place the pre-cooked Dungeness crabs in the steamer basket and place it over the simmering water. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small vent open to allow steam to escape. Steam crabs for 7-12 minutes.
3. Make the Garlic Butter: While the crabs are steaming, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute or two, until fragrant. If using, stir in fresh thyme for an extra herbal touch. Remove from heat.
4. Serve and Enjoy: Carefully remove the steamed crabs from the pot and transfer them to a serving platter. Baste the top of the crab with the warm garlic butter sauce and sprinkle with additional Old Bay seasoning, if desired. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over the crab and additional garlic butter sauce for dipping. Enjoy this delicious and easy Dungeness crab feast!

What to Serve With Cooked Crab

Since Dungeness crab is the star of the show, you want sides that are delicious but won’t steal the spotlight. Roasted green beans or grilled corn on the cob are classic choices for their simplicity and summery vibes. 

For something a bit more decadent, try duck fat fries for a salty and savory counterpoint to the crab’s sweetness. If you’re feeling adventurous, bbq glazed smoked brussels sprouts with bacon adds a smoky and sweet element, while herb and bacon cottage cheese biscuits offer a fluffy and comforting option to soak up any leftover sauce.

Leftovers & Reheating

We find it easiest to pick all the meat once dinner is over to make reheating and storage easier. Store leftover crab in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Reheat them gently in a steamer or with a splash of water in a pan over low heat until warmed through. We love using leftover crab meat to make crab cakes, folded into Chesapeake Bay omelets, and as a luscious steak topping.

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This Dungeness crab recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s fancy enough to impress your guests but still easy enough for a weeknight dinner. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment below to help out the next reader!

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