2 Steps To Clean A Blue Crab (The Quick & Easy Way)

[@ReelinTension]

I use to work on a crab boat years ago. This is the way we always did it when we would eat them. Much rather clean them before cooking and I believe it to be much safer

[@Saltstrong]

Glad to see that you've been using this blue crab cleaning method too. Tight Lines!

[@kishanbalkaran566]

Yes

[@BenedictAndy17]

Thanks Luke! We caught several blue crabs yesterday. My boys and I have watched this and will be using your technique! Thanks and hope all is well!

[@aprilmullet7168]

You did a wonderful job of teaching how to clean crabs!!! Thank yiu so much!!!

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Helloandhowareyou1119]

Thanks for this! It really helped me. I was so lost with cleaning them.

[@relaxwithme3266]

Bro, nice vid. You can it along those cavity walls (3/side) and stir fry them. I did it today and it’s amazing!

[@boatkid888]

Folks, make sure you ice them down before you try this

[@bigtoejoe7989]

Why?

[@boatkid888]

@@bigtoejoe7989 it causes the crabs to go into a Hybernation state. Easier to handle.

[@joshr7505]

Or just know how to handle crabs. That works pretty well too

[@PlusTheSkim]

@@joshr7505 dummy, have you ever handled a 7 inch male blue crab?

[@ajvstheworld9315]

They dont have the ability to fight back, and it's a bit more humane

[@reneeparker2559]

Thank you for showing us how easy this process can be. Much appreciated!

[@jayshankarchandran321]

Great explanation on how to clean and think this helps a lot , will definitely try to clean them first before cooking them next time.

[@rachaelfrey8619]

This was a very helpful beginner friendly. We were able to clean our Blue Crab catch with ease thanks to you. Rach and Kev Florida

[@Saltstrong]

Glad to see that you enjoyed this video!!!

[@ImagineGarydos]

Nice technique! Thanks for sharing

[@IamToniMo]

Great video I’m going to try these vs snow crab for my gumbo this time. Thx for sharing

[@6325358]

Blues are perfect for gumbo!

[@reshmadixon8756]

Love my crabs cleaned and washed out

[@oneworld8056]

Well done. What made me click on this video is I have never seen a prep and the rest of the shells are on. Thank you. The next time I will try this but pre crack the other shells so the seasoning can get up in there. Thank you for a great video. Awesome.

[@williamtrujillo8469]

Dude this is a dope way to clean these! Thanks!!

[@jeffreypinder9398]

Eastern Shore of Maryland loves the "mustard" for the most part. I do like the concept of cleaning them and grilling them on charcoal,

[@jlabate1]

You literally cleaned out all the stuff my wife loves.

[@maulichemist6706]

Lolzz😂😂

[@indiecouncil9013]

Lol si

[@iikantsleep0]

🤢

[@Fish-mc2gs]

yeah the guts taste amazing

[@d0nbran]

She eats the lungs?

[@jordy2299]

Absolutely useful thank you

[@Saltstrong]

So glad we could help!

[@jordy2299]

@@Saltstrong thanks again, I tried this last weekend after Fishing some crabs. This video helped me out

[@user-gt3up8sj1m]

Thanks for the video mate, great angles and very informative

[@Saltstrong]

No problem 👍

[@chrisdehart8610]

Idk if it is cause im from Louisiana but boiling it whole and peel it after. It taste so good

[@dwayned1638]

Massive flavor! Gumbo!

[@patricialongoria5775]

Thank u so much I always cut my hand u made it look easy

[@Saltstrong]

Glad you found this helpful!

[@foobarmaximus3506]

Very nice!

[@DuecedaDDB]

As a Marylander from the Eastern Shore this is exactly how i prep my crabs before steaming add a beer apple cider vinegar, water and J.O. #2 and steam em up

[@Saltstrong]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@zone3174]

I just did this last week with my cousin in Virginia Beach he showed me to use a butter knife to peel up the middle part of the crab on the bottom and then peel that part completely off it makes it much easier to bring the top part of the shell off

[@aseale7410]

So far so good they look great

[@chrischiccino88]

If im on the island with only a cooler and ice. Can I use this process but instead of the hose just use the clear shallow waters out at the sandbar to rinse out the insides after removing the top shell? Also how long can I keep them on ice? TY! Great video!

[@veroniquebaril6808]

Totally made this easy to understand 🙌🙌

[@davidrohrs-nz3fo]

Tks great job help alot

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it helped!

[@samclark4088]

Love them Blue crab !!! That is the way I clean them too, but I didn't see you remove the plate underneath that in your case is the male crab. I also will cut off the legs and claws , save the claws and freeze 5 or 6 crab bodies and sets of claws in a freezer bag of water. Keeps them tasting fresh over the winter.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for making time to leave the helpful comment Sam!

[@HairandtheDogs]

When do you ice them? Before or after cleaning?

[@hectorgonzales3082]

Hey thank you for the video man. I have a a place down here on the coast and I can't believe it took me fifteen years to get some crab traps my neighbors catch em all the time, but we're doing a crawfish boil, so I'm going try catch them this weekend and throw them in the Crawfish Boil after that. On a side note, Ortis want some too dude! come on!!!!

[@hugollamas4192]

Great idea! 👏

[@valmartin2434]

Thank you.

[@marjoriebray5418]

Finally had a chance to try that hose trick... amazing! Thank you so much for this wonderful idea!! Love it!

[@Saltstrong]

We're glad to see that you enjoyed this crab cleaning tip!

[@tkflenoid]

Perfect

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks!

[@shinitapepper5629]

Thanks

[@FlyMeAirplane]

After cleaning can you freeze them and cook later?

[@jimbojackson2900]

Do you knock them out beforehand?

[@POLYLIVING]

Nice! Whats up with Japanese style “soft shell” crab? How do we kno if its moulted when the crabs come frozen in a box?

[@ChocolateSPICE]

Thank You 🙏🏾

[@Saltstrong]

No problem

[@thadrudolph4258]

Salt water living ...baby! whoa yea!

[@Saltstrong]

Yeah!

[@brianpalazzolo-s3u]

The yellowish "guts" you washed out is called "the mustard" and it's the tastiest part of a blue crab. Also, when you powerwash the inside, you are rinsing away the salt water which gives it such a great flavor.

[@Adventure_Dan]

I’ve been eating blue crabs my entire life, from Chesapeake bay in Maryland and from the gulf in New Orleans. Not once have I eaten a blue crab and though to myself “this mustard is tasty” 😂 taste like literal crap

[@FreddyBoy1808]

yes it is..... that's how you can tell a real sea food eater lol

[@KpopM2]

In Asian cuisine we use the mustard to cook and it’s very good, people who say no never had it prepared in a good way lol

[@brianpalazzolo-s3u]

Friends from southern Maryland, who eat a LOT of blue crabs, were surprised when I used to throw away the "mustard" and would say "pass it to me" at our crab feasts. Now I wouldn't dream of not eating the mustard and I'm the one saying "pass it to me".

[@hopelessoptimistic9163]

The mustard is awesome 🤗 especially over rice yum

[@tbruck9947]

Is there a piece on the bottom of the crab you remove as well?

[@Saltstrong]

Not when you clean it this way.

[@ric-i-ver3906]

Looks easy, Thanks !!

[@CHEFHITDICE]

Ty bro for the info 🤘

[@nedrocket]

You briefly mention it, but should really emphasize more than the cleaning part is to put them in an ice bath other wise you will be fighting an angry blue crab! Won’t make the process to pleasant... but I do this as well and is a easy step b4 cooking!

[@rhondadaniels7229]

That was my question. How was it not fighting?

[@edithdelome6070]

How long do you cook them?

[@Saltstrong]

We boil them about 3 minutes

[@subtropicalsteph]

Did this method today for the first time. Worked like a charm! I just wish there was a video showing the best way to take it apart on the dinner plate to get the most meat out. I kind of went at it like an animal and made a big mess LOL!

[@WAY-1983]

add one table spoon of vinegar to make the shell easier to remove.

[@LoisJames102]

That’s how I clean crabs 🦀 😁😁

[@whatsupshittafabraans1926]

That tap water washing away all the flavour, if you want to open prior to cooking,hand shake in a bucket of sea water

[@vanlifebayou]

Agree, need to soak in that seafood boil.

[@benkalio]

You left out the belt located at the belly of the crab. It is narrow for a male crab and broad for a female crab. It is easily removed by plying it open and just snapping it off.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for adding the helpful tip... I realized that I forgot that part shortly after we put the camera away.

[@64samsky]

You're killing me, I'm a native Marylander. Steam it whole with some beer and Old Bay.

[@KVSL30]

64samsky one beer, apple cider vinegar, old bay in water and on crabs. Steam for 20. Enjoy! Nice yellow mustard..

[@bentaylor4570]

Preach it brother. Lol. But seriously you are right. Sadly i am a transplant to the Chesapeake and lived most of my life not knowing how to eat a crab. At least these guys are teaching something. I wonder how they do soft shell?

[@SorciereRouge]

Absolutely. Total waste of the product.

[@gefiltetronbakerofbagels9671]

Well those legs are pretty locked in, it'll still keep the flavor, he just wants to make it quick

[@Bradyn08]

I agree

[@loweman22656]

Thx

[@Saltstrong]

No problem

[@flopog]

Use one of the crab's legs to "pick up" the point on the under side, use as a handle and peel the top off.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the tip!

[@contagiousreligion]

Great tip! Was the cooking vid posted?

[@Saltstrong]

Not yet... it's still on our list of videos to knock out though.

[@Hexsea9y]

Your cleaning presentation was very good. I like to go a step further by removing the stomach flap and breaking the crab in half top to bottom. Without a hose, shaking the guts from each half removes most of the debris then the remainder is easily removed if shaken in a bucket of water. Please teach the humane way to kill a crab with a mallet please. Thanks for the video...

[@MIAHEAT310]

Do you gut them live or after they passed 😢Ive caught some ready to be gutted and are still alive. just want to know thanks

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@Your-Least-Favorite-Stranger]

Put them on ice to put them into a sort of hibernation mode; there are ways to kill them but its trickier in crustaceans because their "brain" is two different nerve bundles at the front and back of the body. Best bet: The colder the better, dispatch and clean them before they have a chance to wake up. It's the most humane option if you're not onboard for boiling them whole and alive.

[@auntkathyskitchen7655]

Question: how did you get them out of your trap, with the claws on? Also, how do you not get pinched? Loved the video by the way! My husband and I had just cleaned quite a few and took all the legs off before cleaning the body. Not near as easy as yours looked.

[@FlaMan991]

grab them from behind

[@michaelrensel9256]

From the back two paddles

[@smoothiegreenburg6065]

we open the gate and shake over a bucket. to pick them up we shock the hell out of them with ice cold water they freeze up and you can grab them but they are still alive

[@jopo2700]

Tongs

[@tiffanylee3901]

Put them on ice cold water first, then they won’t bite you. He mentioned it at the beginning.

[@jeffreymoore2779]

So you throw them on ice before cleaning them? Ive heard not to do that...?

[@Saltstrong]

Many believe it helps get rid of blood in the fillets!

[@bonnielogan6895]

You hosed out some of the best part...the fat! It's also in the top shell in the points. Put that in some gumbo for some real flavor! I'm from S. Louisiana. We never pick them raw. Just boil them, first. Much easier to pick!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@rrgH20polo]

I've seen people flip them over and "pop the apron" or something like that. ?

[@GotuwanPankshin]

The guts you flushed is the best part.

[@marcodelao9148]

looks great for some dishes. also eating all the guts except the gills is amazing!!!!! best part of the crab.

[@Saltstrong]

Interesting!

[@daviddupre376]

Y’all arguing about crabs having lungs and eating the mustard guts lol I throw my traps in depending on the tide and go across the street to adventure landing water park and then pick them up in the evening on my way back inland 12 miles,I never thought of just bringing them home and cleaning them with my own hose because the dock hands won’t let me use theirs anymore so tytyty.

[@myname2263]

I have caught HUNDREDS of Blue Crabs , I always keep the shell on , cook them for 15 min and toss them into ice water . When you clean them first then cook , its MUCH HARDER to get the meat out .

[@jessecervantes2156]

How do you use thease as bait

[@Saltstrong]

Here's a tip on rigging them for bait: www.saltstrong.com/fishing-tip/how-to-rig-blue-crab/

[@jessecervantes2156]

@@Saltstrong thanks

[@missdivaa8519]

What if some have a little green algae on it but smells very fresh?

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@internalinjectiontrulyhere6182]

Cold blue CRAB Worked

[@Saltstrong]

Awesome!

[@OutdoorsInMaryland]

Ok as a youtuber from maryland, you want a challenge??? You steam and eat them the way we do and I will send you the seasonings I use. And I will cook and eat them the way You do ???? That could a fun video to make

[@joshr7505]

No one cares how you cook crabs bro

[@OutdoorsInMaryland]

@@joshr7505 dammm, thanks bro!!

[@dileeppanoli]

In the Philippines they don't clean it this way, they just boil the crab as it is in water and sprite...

[@Saltstrong]

Awesome! 💪

[@timd729]

You cook it in sprite the soda? What do you season it with?

[@kurtcarson8911]

man I think you just saved dinner

[@Saltstrong]

Haha!

[@pauliethefixer8617]

In Virginia, we call those little yellow things he washed out the Deadman. If you eat enough of the Deadman, you will get sick.

[@priestof1s]

I sat down with a bunch of pwople one day to eat these. It was my first time eating a whole shelled crab. Man, that was the biggest waste of everything. I felt like inwas either throwing a lot of valuable stuff away OR the pay off vs tye work put in was terrible. Wasn't worth it

[@osovillarreal6128]

Look into Dat Cajun Chitt everything u need for a seafood boil in a bag

[@kellycarrick4157]

Blue crabs should never be boiled. It ruins the meat and makes it chewy. Keep the live crabs on ice until your ready to steam. This will help keep the claws attached throughout the steaming process. Cover with old bay and steam for 20-30 minutes depending on size and quantity.

[@bryangallet6801]

Ice kills crabs, dead crabs aren't good.

[@smoothsailin7294]

@@bryangallet6801 Not necessarily. While fresh water can stun them, the cold of just causes them to enter hibernation (which they do naturally in winter after burrowing into the mud). After they're chilled by the ice they become far easier to be handled without getting pinched. As long as they're still alive immediately before they're cleaned and steamed, there's no danger posted by consuming them.

[@FlaMan991]

Blah, Blah, Blah... you're probably a yankee

[@eyanderouen700]

My guy, get ya hands dirty 😂😂

[@Saltstrong]

Glad you liked the video!

[@NoteConference]

That hose washes out all the salty flavor in my Ha crabby opinion

[@Mr.Helper.]

How quickly do you have to cook them after killing them

[@MikeM-z1s]

Nobody invite this guy to the cookout

[@tyronsamio9709]

Just washed all the flavor

[@jnetsowetselfmyedchic3672]

Thanks now I can eat with no guts

[@Saltstrong]

True!

[@scottfreedman7640]

I'm a little confused. I was always told not to eat the dead crabs, this one looks dead, or was it iced? I tried this method a few years ago, I saw a video that said that opening the shell killed them instantly, only when I did it, the crab certainly did not die. While I love to eat what I catch, this felt cruel. Is there a way to kill them before opening the shell?

[@Saltstrong]

I put my crabs on ice as soon as I catch them, and then clean them later that day after they have died. As for keeping crabs alive vs. dead, I highly doubt that restaurants receive all of their crabs alive and keep them in tanks until they get cooked.

[@bryangallet6801]

Once a crabs dies the meat starts to soften and gets mushy. Always live crabs in my pot, always no matter how long they were dead. And only males.

[@johnnysaltyaircrabcake8030]

In reguards to spicing and cooking..is blue crab meat like shrimp,,, if you over season shrimp, you wont taste shrimp... the meat is like a spounge, it will absorbe it crazy,,, should we go lighter amount of seasoning on the meat muscle area

[@khadijahdavis1572]

Nope i like your way better, nice and clean

[@RossiRamblings]

First off, this ain't a cold water crab, so eating the guts is doable, but not a cup of tea for most. Second, he's picking the shell and claw meat, so you don't need to remove the lower hatch unless you're doing it whole. Third, yeah, I just clean them up and boil 'em whole. Cracking and picking the meat is half the fun.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the insight!

[@darrylwright4641]

Where is the video where you cook cleaned crabs?

[@BLACKRAIN390]

STEAM UM,, SEASON AND ADD CURRY POWDER

[@beaubridgeman5522]

Splash of vinegar and everglades heat

[@surfaceghoul2434]

Damn he got nerve ending too

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@Flippersflops]

It’s not mustard, it’s guts. Blue crab meat is too good to ruin with gut slime 😂

[@bradfromthepub]

God damn brother you just ripped apart a live animal. I love me some blue crab (just ate some maryland blues - why you cleaning out the goods btw?) but sheesh that’s one brutal way to go about prepping them.

[@Saltstrong]

What's your method?

[@Your-Least-Favorite-Stranger]

Icing puts them into a dormant state - it looks brutal, but this method is more humane than boiling them alive like most people do.

[@apesteel5372]

Sprayed out all the good meat.

[@donnydizzle2781]

How do you kill them, dont they become toxic once dead..??

[@OutdoorsInMaryland]

I say we do a blue crab eating challenge. You steam and eat crab like we do here in maryland. I do it like you. Ill send you our seasoning we use. And do a video. In it there sir??

[@bullfrogsadventures3025]

Why not eat the gills

[@kickbonzo1765]

So here’s my question first issue; not everybody lives on the intercostal or any other - so inland home owners if doing this, all this crap will go all over their yard; I wonder what kind of critters will venture there, not to mention the stink from the decay, 🤮. secondly if you’re cooking crabs and making pasta marinara crab sauce; Sicilian Italian style, do you keep all that crap in it or would you take it all out

[@beverlyspringer5368]

This is gross to pull it apart still alive!

[@oh6235]

Oh yes, boiling is alive is so much better right?

[@chapstickwarrior9277]

Pretty much kills them instantly. Icing them probably numbs them too.

[@Bradyn08]

@@oh6235 haha

[@Bradyn08]

This dude is probably some 11 year old that went to cleaning and eating animals and commented his soft feelings

[@FlaMan991]

you did not pull off the apron.... that tab on the underside... it also will show the difference between a male or female.... males do not have the wider tab

[@minerthreat8921]

I'm guessing you're in your 30's...how the hell did you JUST find out that Bluecrab lump meat is amazing? Did you come from the desert in Arizona and this is your first time near the ocean?

[@Saltstrong]

A lot of people don't realize it

[@dennisadkins9500]

Nooooooooo Nooooooooooo Nooooooooooo cook it whole. your cooking a dead crab, and you blasted out the flavor. Come to St Marys County MD.. We will show you

[@megangroup262]

I hear that all the time I constantly hear people say use the guts the guts are the guts for the reason you don't kill a squirrel and say I'm going to use its blood to dip the meat so why do you think it's okay to do it with a crab