The easiest way to cook Costco crabs is to steam or boil them until they are heated all the way through. Most Costco crabs come pre cooked, so your main job is to warm them up without drying them out.
Start by filling a large pot with a few inches of water. Place a steamer basket inside and bring the water to a boil. Add the crab legs, cover the pot, and let them steam for about 6 to 8 minutes. They are ready when they smell warm and the shells feel hot. Steaming keeps the meat juicy and soft.
If you want to boil them instead, heat a big pot of salted water until it boils. Gently place the crab legs in the water and cook them for 4 to 5 minutes. This heats them quickly and works great when you are cooking a lot at once.
You can also warm them up in the oven. Set your oven to 375 degrees and wrap the crab legs in foil with a little butter. Heat them for about 10 minutes. This adds a richer flavor and keeps the meat tender.
Serve the crabs with melted butter, lemon slices, or your favorite dipping sauce. It is simple, fast, and tastes amazing.
Types of Costco Crabs You Can Buy
Costco sells different kinds of crab, and knowing the type helps you cook it the right way. The most common ones you will find are king crab legs, snow crab legs, and Dungeness crab. King crab legs are huge, and they look strong and spiky. The meat inside is thick, sweet, and very rich. Snow crab legs are thinner and easier to crack open, which makes them great for beginners or kids. They have a softer taste and lighter texture. Dungeness crab is usually sold whole, and people love it because the meat is gentle, sweet, and easy to eat once you open it up.
Some Costco crabs are already cooked and frozen. These crabs only need to be heated, not fully cooked again. If the crab is already bright red, that means it is cooked. Some crabs might be raw and frozen, which means you must cook them long enough to make sure the meat becomes white, firm, and safe to eat. When you open the Costco freezer section, look for crab that looks solid and clean. The shells should not be cracked in strange ways, and the legs should not look like they have too much frost on them. Too much frost can mean the crab has been frozen for too long. Fresh looking crab will give you the best taste, and it cooks better too.
When you bring the crab home, check the package for cooking instructions. Some brands tell you if the crab is pre-cooked or raw. That helps you decide how long you will need to cook it. Knowing the type you bought makes everything easier and helps you make the best meal possible.
How to Prep Costco Crabs Before Cooking
Prepping Costco crabs is very simple once you know what to do. Most Costco crabs come frozen, so the first step is to thaw them the right way. Put the crab in the fridge for several hours or overnight. This slow thawing keeps the meat fresh and safe. If you try to thaw it on the counter, the outside can become too warm while the inside stays frozen, and that can make the crab unsafe to eat.
When the crab is thawed, rinse it with cold water. This removes ice crystals, small shell pieces, or anything left from the packaging. You do not need to scrub the crab because most Costco crabs are already cleaned before they are packed. Pre-cooked crabs do not need much prep at all. You just rinse, heat, and enjoy. Raw crabs need a little more care. Make sure the shell looks clean and the meat smells normal. Raw crab should never smell strong or sour.
Do not break the legs apart before cooking unless the recipe calls for it. Keeping the legs connected helps the crab stay juicy while it cooks. If the cluster is too big for your pot, you can snap one or two parts off, but try not to break everything apart. Good prep makes the cooking easier and helps the crab taste better when you serve it. Taking a few minutes to prep correctly saves you from dry or unevenly cooked crab later.
How to Steam Costco Crabs
Steaming is one of the best ways to cook Costco crabs because it keeps the meat soft and moist. To start, you need a large pot with a steamer basket or a metal rack. Fill the pot with around two inches of water. You do not want the crab to sit inside the water. You want the steam to cook it. Bring the water to a strong boil and place the crab legs in the basket.
Cover the pot with a lid so the steam stays inside. If your crab is already cooked, steam it for about ten minutes. If it is raw, steam it for fifteen to eighteen minutes. You can add lemon slices, garlic cloves, or a little salt to the water for a better smell. The steam spreads the flavor around the crab as it cooks. While steaming, try not to lift the lid too often because the heat escapes and slows down the cooking.
You know the crab is ready when the shell looks bright and the meat inside feels hot. Be careful when removing the lid because hot steam can burn your hands or face. Use tongs to lift the crab out of the pot. Let it cool for a minute before cracking it open. Steamed crab tastes clean, natural, and sweet. It is a great way to cook crab if you want something simple and not too heavy.
How to Boil Costco Crabs
Boiling is another simple way to cook Costco crabs, especially if you want fast results. Get a large pot and fill it with enough water to fully cover the crab. Add salt to the water so the crab gets a little flavor while it cooks. Bring the water to a full boil, then carefully place the crab legs or whole crab inside.
If your crab is pre-cooked, it only needs about five minutes in the boiling water. If it is raw, boil it for about ten to twelve minutes. The crab should stay under the water the whole time so it cooks evenly. You can add lemon, garlic, onion, or even seasoning blends like Old Bay to the water. These flavors soak into the crab as it boils.
When the crab is done, it will float a little or turn a deeper red. Use tongs to lift it out of the pot. Let it cool slightly so you do not burn yourself while eating. Boiled crab is juicy and simple. It is a great option if you are cooking for a lot of people because you can fit many crab legs in one big pot.
How to Bake Costco Crabs in the Oven
Baking crab in the oven gives the meat a rich buttery taste and keeps it warm for a long time. First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. While the oven heats, place the crab legs on a baking sheet. Brush them with melted butter to keep the meat moist. You can also add garlic, lemon juice, or a seasoning mix on top.
Cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil. This traps steam inside and stops the crab from drying out. Bake pre-cooked crab for twelve to fifteen minutes. If the crab is raw, bake it for about twenty minutes. When you open the foil, you should see steam coming out and smell the warm butter.
Let the crab cool a little before you eat it. Baking crab makes the flavor stronger and gives the meat a soft texture. It is one of the easiest cooking methods because you do not have to watch the pot or the grill. You just put it in the oven and let the heat do the work.
How to Grill Costco Crabs
Grilling gives Costco crabs a smoky taste that many people enjoy. Start by heating your grill to medium. Brush the grill grates with oil to stop the crab from sticking. Place the crab legs on the grill and cook them for about five to seven minutes on each side.
If the crab is raw, it may need a few more minutes. You can brush the crab with melted butter or oil while it cooks to keep the meat juicy. The shells may get some dark spots from the grill, but that is normal and adds flavor. Make sure the crab heats all the way through before eating.
Grilled crab tastes amazing with lemon juice or garlic butter on top. It is a fun way to cook crab if you enjoy outdoor cooking. The smoky flavor makes the meal feel special and perfect for family cookouts.
Best Seasonings for Costco Crabs
Costco crabs taste great with many different seasonings. Old Bay is a classic choice and gives a salty and slightly spicy flavor. Garlic butter is another favorite because it melts into the crab meat and makes it rich. Lemon pepper adds a bright and fresh taste.
You can add chili powder or cayenne if you like spicy food. If you want something simple, you can stick with melted butter, salt, and lemon. Crab has a natural sweetness, so you do not need to cover it with too many spices. Try different seasonings until you find the mix you like best.
How to Serve Costco Crabs
Serving crab can be fun, and it does not have to be fancy. Place the crab legs or whole crab on a large plate or platter. Add lemon slices and small bowls of melted butter on the side. Some people like garlic sauce or spicy sauce too. Good side dishes include corn, potatoes, rice, or salad.
Have crab crackers or kitchen scissors ready so everyone can open the shells easily. Crab can be messy, so keep lots of napkins nearby. You can make the meal look nice by adding a little parsley on top. A simple and clean presentation makes the crab look even more delicious.
Storing Leftover Costco Crabs
If you have leftover crab, store it the right way to keep it safe. Put the crab in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about two days. Make sure the crab cools down before storing it. If you want to freeze it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and put it in a freezer bag.
Frozen cooked crab can last up to two months. When you want to eat it again, warm it gently so the meat does not get tough. Do not eat crab that smells sour, feels slimy, or has a strange color. That means it has gone bad and should be thrown away. Good storage keeps your crab safe and tasty.