Read the label first.
Frozen describes storage, not whether crab is raw or cooked. Check cooked status and follow the package directions.
The crab field guide
Crab night,
made easy.
Find your favorite crab, care for it from the moment it arrives, and get to the good part with confidence.
Choose well. Prepare with care. Enjoy every bite.
01 / Choose
There’s a crab for your kind of night.
Pick a format below. Your preparation and cracking notes will change with it.
Buying tip: shell-on weight includes the shell. Check each product’s serving guidance and plan around your guests’ appetites and sides.
02 / Care
Keep it cold. Take your time.
Thaw in the refrigerator.
Keep chilled at 40°F or below. Follow the package directions and plan for refrigerator thawing; avoid the counter or hot water.
Set up a clean workspace.
Keep raw seafood separate from ready-to-eat food. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling raw seafood.
03 / Prepare
A gentle touch brings out the best.
Your selection · King crab
Make room for the legs.
Start with the package directions. For fully cooked king crab legs, the goal is to warm the meat gently. Choose a method that fits your pot or baking dish and avoid prolonged heating.
How to cook king crab legs
Boil, steam, bake, or grill. Choose the method that works for your kitchen.
Open the cooking guide →How to cook snow crab legs
Gentle warming methods for fully cooked, frozen snow crab clusters.
Open the cooking guide →04 / Crack & pick
A little patience. A lot of good meat.
Your selection · King crab
Cut the shell; keep the meat whole.
Let warmed legs cool enough to handle. Separate at the joints, then use kitchen shears to cut along the shell, keeping the blades away from the meat. Peel back the shell and lift out the meat. Watch for sharp spines.
Set the table for shellfish.
A towel, seafood cracker, kitchen shears, pick, and a bowl for shells make it easier. Open shells on a stable surface and keep your fingers clear of sharp edges.
Work through the same sequence each time: separate the joints, open the shell, lift out the meat, and check for fragments.
Follow the full crab cracking walkthrough →05 / Make a feast
Bring everyone to the table.
Build your own spread or start with a crab feast. Keep the sides simple so the crab gets its moment.
King crab feast
Big legs, simple sides, and an occasion worth slowing down for.
Explore the feast →
Snow crab feast
A shareable spread built around sweet, delicate clusters.
Explore the feast →
Stone crab feast
A claw-led feast with plenty of room for your favorite sauce.
Explore the feast →A few good questions
Before you crack in.
What is the difference between Bairdi and Opilio snow crab?
Both are snow crab. Bairdi clusters tend to be larger, while Opilio is a familiar, sweet, delicate option. Compare the actual cluster sizes on each product page rather than relying on the name alone.
Does frozen crab always need to be cooked?
No. Some products are fully cooked before freezing. Read the label: fully cooked crab may be served chilled or warmed as directed; raw crab needs to be cooked.
Do Jonah claws need a cracker?
Shell-on claws do. Our cap-off Jonah cocktail claws have the main shell removed, so check which format you ordered.