Live blue crabs are your quickest ticket to heaven. Once that seasoned water is at a furious, rolling boil, you’re looking at 15 to 20 minutes tops. Why so fast? Because they’re small, sweet, and cook through in a flash. Don’t blink, or you’ll miss that perfect, flaky moment.
Now, if you’re dealing with Dungeness or King Crab legs, the game changes. Since they’re usually pre-cooked and frozen, your job is just to reheat them. Drop them in for about 4 to 6 minutes—just long enough to warm the meat without turning it into rubber. Overcook them, and you’re basically eating expensive, salty string. Tragedy!
What about Snow Crab clusters? These are also pre-cooked, so treat them like royalty: 4 to 5 minutes in boiling water. You’re a chef, not a scientist. Trust your nose and your timer.