How to Break Down Sections of a Snow Crab

It's hard to get to the meat in snow crabs, but any seafood lover will tell you that it's worth it. With a little finesse, patience and practice, you can learn how to break down the sections of a snow crab and have a nice meal for two.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cutlery or lobster shears

1. Steam the snow crab, and then cool it so you can handle it easily.

2. Remove the two leg portions from the body and the head, using shears. Do this from the bottom side of the crab. When you're done, you should have two leg clusters that look like what you buy in the store.

3. Pinch off the gills or lungs found on the top side of the body above the two leg portions.

4. Break off a leg and pick out any meat from the body portion still attached. Again, you can use your hands to pick this out.

5. Cut the leg and the claw, if present, down the middle with shears. You can break portions of the leg with your hands. Also, break off the "thumb" part of the claw before you start cutting.

6. Pull the shell away with your thumbs and remove the crab meat. Sometimes the meat will come out in one piece.

Tips & Warnings

• Use caution with the shells because they can cut you.

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