Spider crabs look scary on the outside, but they are full of delicious meat.The main difference between spider crabs and crustaceans is that they are larger and spindly.Once your crab is cooked, you can pick out the meat.
Step 1: The crab should be refrigerated for a while to kill it.
It may seem gruesome, but it is always best to work with dead crab.Take the crab out of the fridge and place it on a flat surface.Make sure the crab is dead before you start by using a large knife through the center.The crab will probably be killed by the refrigerator.Don't cook spider crabs.The crustacean might lose its legs in the hot water because it's not considered humane.If you don't want to kill the crab yourself, it's understandable.Ask the seller to kill it for you.
Step 2: Put a large pot in the water.
Spider crabs need a lot of room to soak and boil, so grab the largest pot you have on hand.When you put the crab in the water, make sure to fill the pot about halfway.Salting the water whenever you boil a spider crab is recommended by professional chefs.Spider crabs are up to 23 cm wide and can be a tight squeeze.
Step 3: To find out how long your spider crab needs to cook, weigh it on a scale.
Take note of the crab's weight by placing it on a scale.Spider crabs need to be cooked for 15 minutes for every kilo of weight, so it helps to know what you are working with ahead of time.You would cook your crab for between 22 and 25 minutes.
Step 4: Take the water to a rolling boil and submerge the crab.
Place the crab in the pot and leave it uncovered.It will be easier to cook if the water is boiling.
Step 5: The crab should be boiled for at least 15-20 minutes.
Spider crabs need 15 minutes to cook a kilo of meat.The crab meat should be cooked all the way through if you turn the water down.You would cook your crab for up to 25 minutes.
Step 6: Remove the crab from the water and chill it.
Take the crab out of the water and turn off the stove.Place the crab on the tray with a pair of tongs.When it is cool to the touch, slide it into the fridge.
Step 7: Red chili, butter, garlic, coriander, and lime can be used to make butter.
A small amount of melted butter, 3 cloves of crushed garlic, and 1 chopped red chili can be put into a small bowl.Adding a squeeze of lime juice will add a lot of flavor to the crab.
Step 8: The grill should be set to high heat.
If you want your spider crab to cook evenly, you should light your coals and wait until they are red-hot.Before you start cooking on a gas grill, make sure the temperature is high.You can start cooking when the grill feels hot.
Step 9: Place your crab on the grill.
Don't worry about tearing the crab apart.The crab should be placed on the grill.If you want to cook both sides of the crab at the same time, cook each side for 6-7 minutes.As you do this, cover the grill.Some people prefer to cut the spider crab in half before grilling it.You only need to grill your crab meat for 4 minutes on each side if you do this.
Step 10: The butter should be rubbed on both sides of the crab.
Spread the butter mixture over the legs with a food brush.The meat will taste great if you put it on both sides of the crab.
Step 11: You can dress the meat up with butter.
The crab should be removed from the grill with a pair of tongs.Place the legs on the dish with fresh lettuce.You can serve it with a lemon wedge.
Step 12: Remove the crab legs and claws.
It will be easier to disassemble the crab belly-side-up if it is placed on your workspace.Take each leg and twist it off completely.As you remove them, set the legs and claws aside.If you are used to preparing and enjoying regular crab, the spider crab legs may be a little longer.
Step 13: Remove the meat from the legs with a mallet.
Place the crab legs on a flat surface and surround them with a clean towel.You can peel back the shell if you whack each leg once with a mallet or hammer.If you hit the legs more than once, you could shatter the shell into tiny pieces.You are ready to eat your spider crab meat.
Step 14: The shell should be removed from the crab's head.
Press down on the top of the crab with your hand and dig your fingers below the shell.Lift the crab's body to separate it from its shell.You won't be eating the crab's gills if you remove multiple gray, garlic-shaped sections along the sides of the body.Don't be afraid to use a little elbow grease.Spider crabs are large.
Step 15: The meat is inside the shell.
Take a look at the shell.There is a small amount of brown meat left along the edges of the shell.Grab a spoon and scoop the food out of it.
Step 16: Scoop out the white meat from the big chunks of the main body.
You can cut the crab's body in half with a large knife.The spider crab has a lot of holes and gaps.Then, use a butter knife to open the crab's body.You can enjoy it later if you put the meat in a small bowl.
Step 17: The crab meat can be kept for up to 2 days.
If you want to eat the meat within 2 days, put it in the fridge.Crab meat can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or container.If you want your crab meat to not become stringy, you should freeze it with other ingredients that aren't seafood.If you store meat for more than 3 months, it won't be very fresh.