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

Рет қаралды 217,868

4 жыл бұрын

Want to learn how to clean blue crabs the fast and easy way?
Recently we've been catching more blue crabs and experimenting with cooking and cleaning them.
I stumbled upon this way of cleaning them and I will definitely not be going back to my old way...
Most people boil them whole, but there’s a much better way to cook and clean them that saves you from having to deal with the guts and the gills when you’re eating them.
This leaves lots of delicious meat in the corners of the body, in addition to in the claws and legs.
I’ve enjoyed eating them much more by cleaning them like this, plus I’ll share a secret tip that makes this whole process go very quickly.
If you like eating blue crabs, you’re going to love this video!
Have any questions about cleaning blue crabs?
Let me know in the comments below!
To get your FREE pack of Slam Shady paddletails, click here: bit.ly/2QzsQZ7

Пікірлер: 235

@ReelinTension 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

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

@BenedictAndy17 4 жыл бұрын

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!

@user-ts4su7su6f 4 ай бұрын

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.

@Dan-Squared 2 ай бұрын

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 12 күн бұрын

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

@racheld7692 2 жыл бұрын

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

@rachaelfrey8619 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

Glad to see that you enjoyed this video!!!

@jayshankarchandran321 21 күн бұрын

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

@boatkid888 4 жыл бұрын

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

@bigtoejoe7989 3 жыл бұрын

Why?

@boatkid888 3 жыл бұрын

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

@joshr7505 3 жыл бұрын

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

@PlusTheSkim 3 жыл бұрын

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

@ajvstheworld9315 3 жыл бұрын

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

@marjoriebray5418 4 жыл бұрын

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

@Saltstrong 4 жыл бұрын

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

@relaxwithme3266 5 ай бұрын

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

@jlabate1 3 жыл бұрын

You literally cleaned out all the stuff my wife loves.

@maulichemist6706 3 жыл бұрын

Lolzz😂😂

@indiecouncil9013 3 жыл бұрын

Lol si

@iikantsleep0 3 жыл бұрын

🤢

@Fish-mc2gs 2 жыл бұрын

yeah the guts taste amazing

@d0nbran 2 жыл бұрын

She eats the lungs?

@williamtrujillo8469 3 жыл бұрын

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

@aprilmullet7168 11 ай бұрын

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

@Saltstrong 11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@oneworld8056 4 жыл бұрын

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.

@veroniquebaril6808 3 жыл бұрын

Totally made this easy to understand 🙌🙌

@user-gt3up8sj1m Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video mate, great angles and very informative

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

No problem 👍

@GotuwanPankshin 3 жыл бұрын

The guts you flushed is the best part.

@IamToniMo 3 жыл бұрын

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

@6325358 3 жыл бұрын

Blues are perfect for gumbo!

@ric-i-ver3906 4 жыл бұрын

Looks easy, Thanks !!

@aseale7410 2 жыл бұрын

So far so good they look great

@hugollamas4192 2 ай бұрын

Great idea! 👏

@hectorgonzales3082 2 жыл бұрын

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!!!!

@jeffreypinder9398 17 күн бұрын

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

@zone3174 2 жыл бұрын

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

@RedFishTV.com. 4 жыл бұрын

Interesting video ! … Great idea to use the hose... Less Mess with the guts 🦀. 🦀

@Saltstrong 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@POLYLIVING 2 жыл бұрын

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

@chrischiccino88 2 күн бұрын

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!

@CHEFHITDICE 2 жыл бұрын

Ty bro for the info 🤘

@FlyMeAirplane 2 жыл бұрын

After cleaning can you freeze them and cook later?

@valmartin2434 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@jordy2299 9 ай бұрын

Absolutely useful thank you

@Saltstrong 9 ай бұрын

So glad we could help!

@jordy2299 9 ай бұрын

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

@HairandtheDogs Ай бұрын

When do you ice them? Before or after cleaning?

@chrisdehart8610 4 жыл бұрын

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

@dwayned1638 3 жыл бұрын

Massive flavor! Gumbo!

@davidrohrs-nz3fo Жыл бұрын

Tks great job help alot

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

@samclark4088 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making time to leave the helpful comment Sam!

@ChocolateSPICE Жыл бұрын

Thank You 🙏🏾

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

No problem

@patricialongoria5775 8 ай бұрын

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

@Saltstrong 8 ай бұрын

Glad you found this helpful!

@subtropicalsteph 2 жыл бұрын

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!

@shinitapepper5629 3 ай бұрын

Thanks

@jimbojackson2900 15 күн бұрын

Do you knock them out beforehand?

@LoisJames102 2 жыл бұрын

That’s how I clean crabs 🦀 😁😁

@tkflenoid Жыл бұрын

Perfect

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@WAY-wr6ur 4 жыл бұрын

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

@Mr.Helper. 3 жыл бұрын

How quickly do you have to cook them after killing them

@DuecedaDDB 10 ай бұрын

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 10 ай бұрын

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

@tbruck9947 Жыл бұрын

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

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

Not when you clean it this way.

@rrgH20polo 4 жыл бұрын

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

@loweman22656 Жыл бұрын

Thx

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

No problem

@Hexsea9y 2 жыл бұрын

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...

@thadrudolph4258 Жыл бұрын

Salt water living ...baby! whoa yea!

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

Yeah!

@johnnysaltyaircrabcake8030 2 жыл бұрын

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

@flopog 2 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip!

@contagiousreligion 4 жыл бұрын

Great tip! Was the cooking vid posted?

@Saltstrong 4 жыл бұрын

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

@64samsky 4 жыл бұрын

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

@KVSL30 4 жыл бұрын

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

@bentaylor4570 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. Total waste of the product.

@gefiltetronbakerofbagels9671 4 жыл бұрын

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

@Bradyn08 3 жыл бұрын

I agree

@edithdelome6070 Жыл бұрын

How long do you cook them?

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

We boil them about 3 minutes

@jessecervantes2156 4 жыл бұрын

How do you use thease as bait

@Saltstrong 4 жыл бұрын

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

@jessecervantes2156 4 жыл бұрын

@@Saltstrong thanks

@MIAHEAT310 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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.

@myname2263 5 ай бұрын

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 .

@marcodelao9148 Жыл бұрын

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

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

Interesting!

@auntkathyskitchen7655 2 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

grab them from behind

@michaelrensel9256 2 жыл бұрын

From the back two paddles

@smoothiegreenburg6065 2 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

Tongs

@tiffanylee3901 Жыл бұрын

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

@benkalio 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

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

@missdivaa8519 Жыл бұрын

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

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

@jeffreymoore2779 2 жыл бұрын

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

@Saltstrong 2 жыл бұрын

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

@osovillarreal6128 2 жыл бұрын

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

@nedrocket 4 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

That was my question. How was it not fighting?

@darrylwright4641 3 жыл бұрын

Where is the video where you cook cleaned crabs?

@bonnielogan6895 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback!

@tyronsamio9709 2 жыл бұрын

Just washed all the flavor

@internalinjectiontrulyhere6182 Жыл бұрын

Cold blue CRAB Worked

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@scottfreedman7640 4 жыл бұрын

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 4 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@daviddupre376 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@beaubridgeman5522 4 жыл бұрын

Splash of vinegar and everglades heat

@OutdoorsInMaryland 4 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

No one cares how you cook crabs bro

@OutdoorsInMaryland 3 жыл бұрын

@@joshr7505 dammm, thanks bro!!

@dileeppanoli 2 жыл бұрын

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

@Saltstrong 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! 💪

@timd729 3 ай бұрын

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

@donnydizzle2781 2 жыл бұрын

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

@BLACKRAIN390 3 жыл бұрын

STEAM UM,, SEASON AND ADD CURRY POWDER

@eyanderouen700 10 ай бұрын

My guy, get ya hands dirty 😂😂

@Saltstrong 10 ай бұрын

Glad you liked the video!

@kurtcarson8911 10 ай бұрын

man I think you just saved dinner

@Saltstrong 10 ай бұрын

Haha!

@khadijahdavis1572 3 жыл бұрын

Nope i like your way better, nice and clean

@bullfrogsadventures3025 2 жыл бұрын

Why not eat the gills

@jnetsowetselfmyedchic3672 Жыл бұрын

Thanks now I can eat with no guts

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

True!

@apesteel5372 2 жыл бұрын

Sprayed out all the good meat.

@kellycarrick4157 4 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

Ice kills crabs, dead crabs aren't good.

@smoothsailin7294 3 жыл бұрын

@@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 2 жыл бұрын

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

@surfaceghoul2434 8 ай бұрын

Damn he got nerve ending too

@Saltstrong 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@FlaMan991 2 жыл бұрын

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

@barry4967 22 күн бұрын

Be really helpful and show us how to get all the meat out CLEANly.

@OutdoorsInMaryland 3 жыл бұрын

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??

@Flippersflops 20 күн бұрын

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

@RossiRamblings Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the insight!

@daviddupre376 2 жыл бұрын

Put em on the grill or break them in half and put them into pasta sauce mmmmmmm

@brianburns4039 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

What's your method?

@Your-Least-Favorite-Stranger Жыл бұрын

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

@darkglass3011 Жыл бұрын

I know from experience that the gills aren't edible. It's just a shame really that nature decided to make a potential source of meat taste nasty.

@Saltstrong Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@crashb9188 2 жыл бұрын

سلام.شما انسان تمیزی هستید. و خیلی خوب خرچنگ را تمیز کردی.برعکس دیگران با کثیفی خرچنگ را اماده نکردید.ممنون.دیگران تمیز نکرده انرا میپزن.

@kennethmay9002 3 жыл бұрын

I'm always surprised how many people love to eat intestines and guts. I guess that they don't care for shrimp that are deveined or fish that have been cleaned. Each to his own I guess.

@beverlyspringer5368 3 жыл бұрын

This is gross to pull it apart still alive!

@oh6235 3 жыл бұрын

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

@chapstickwarrior9277 3 жыл бұрын

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

@Bradyn08 3 жыл бұрын

@@oh6235 haha

@Bradyn08 3 жыл бұрын

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

@rte66pawnshop 3 жыл бұрын

No. No. Please, you cooking like we cooking giant eight legs in Hellas. All animal fast with very hot in bag. Thank you.

@kpnitrl38 4 жыл бұрын

Hmm, I wonder how much meat you are blasting away too...

@t26803 4 жыл бұрын

none

@ronnie8489 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah I do this all the time. The meat is pretty much attached to the shell and doesn’t wash away

@dennisadkins9500 3 жыл бұрын

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

@minerthreat8921 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

A lot of people don't realize it