Perfect Beer Steamed Crab: Sweet, Fragrant & Fish-Free Recipe

Beer-steamed sea crab is an appealing and popular dish in Vietnamese cuisine, especially for parties or special occasions. This dish not only retains the natural sweetness of the crab but also gains a delightful aroma from the beer. Let’s discover how to make beer-steamed crab to enjoy this wonderful dish right at home.

Ingredients for Beer Steamed Crab

• Sea Crab: 2 kg
• Lemongrass: 10 stalks
• Beer: 330 ml (1 can)

Utensils: Stove, steamer pot, bowls, plates, etc.

Ingredients for beer-steamed crab

How to Choose Good Crabs

Roe Crab (Cua Gạch)

Roe crab is a female crab with a large, square-shaped abdomen (yếm). If you see red roe completely filling the underside of the crab, it’s a good, firm crab with plenty of roe.

Meat Crab (Cua Thịt)

Meat crab is a male crab with a small, triangular-shaped abdomen (yếm).

How to Choose Good, Meaty Crabs

• Check the claws: Look at the soft skin (da lụa) at the elbow joint on the crab’s claws. If this skin is reddish-pink or dark pink and smooth, the crab is freshly caught. Conversely, if the color is pale and the skin is wrinkled, the crab has been kept for a long time.
• Press the abdomen (yếm) of the crab: When you press the abdomen and it feels firm, the crab is meaty. If this part is soft and spongy, the crab is thin and has little meat.
• Press the top of the swimming leg joint, below the carapace: If you press this part and the crab struggles with all its legs and claws, it is still healthy and meaty.

In general, if you observe the entire crab and its abdomen is firm and tightly attached to the body, the spikes on its shell and body are still sharp, and its legs and claws move rhythmically and flexibly, then the crab is fresh, delicious, and full of meat.

How to Prepare Beer Steamed Crab

Ingredient Preparation

Wash the lemongrass, bruise it, then cut it into approximately 5 cm pieces.

Soak the crabs in a basin of ice water to temporarily stun them, preventing them from losing their legs during steaming. Once the crabs are stiff, untie them, use a toothbrush to scrub all over the crab’s body, leg crevices, etc., thoroughly cleaning them. Then, rinse the crabs again to remove all mud and dirt from their bodies.

After cleaning the crabs, remove and discard the abdomen (yếm) as the hair inside is inedible and can affect the crab’s flavor after cooking.

Note: If you don’t have time to prepare the crabs immediately after buying them, place them in the freezer refrigerator or on an ice cube to keep them stiff without dying instantly. Do not immerse them in water as crabs will experience thermal shock and die faster.

Beer and lemongrass help prevent the crab from having a fishy smell, making it more fragrant and delicious.

Step 1: Preparing ingredients for beer-steamed crab

Step 1: Cleaning and preparing the crab

Steaming the Crab

Prepare a steamer, pour beer into the bottom, and arrange the crabs, lemongrass, and ginger on the steaming rack above. Cover the pot, bring the beer to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and steam for about 15 minutes until the crabs are cooked. At this point, brush the crabs evenly with cooking oil, close the lid, and steam for another 2-3 minutes before turning off the heat.

Note: Cooking oil helps the crabs achieve a glossy finish and retain their red color longer. Do not add extra seasoning when steaming the crabs, as they already have a natural salty taste.

Step 2: Steaming the crab with beer and lemongrass

Step 2: Steamed crab cooking in the pot

Finished Dish

Once the crab is cooked, arrange it on a plate. Serve with a dipping sauce of salt, pepper, and lime to enhance the flavor. Beer-steamed sea crab is simple to prepare yet preserves the pure sweetness and tenderness of the crab, which is difficult to achieve with other cooking methods.

Step 3: Finished beer-steamed crab served on a plate

Conclusion

Beer-steamed crab is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that preserves the natural flavor of the crab. Try this recipe to enjoy this wonderful dish at home. Don’t forget to check out other steamed dishes like how to make shrimp steamed with fish sauce to diversify your menu.

If you love steamed dishes, try how to make shrimp steamed with ginger and lemongrass for another appealing option. To explore more beer-steamed recipes, you can refer to how to make clams steamed with beer or how to make shrimp steamed with beer.

Wishing you success and enjoyment with your beer-steamed crab!

References:

• Images and recipe adapted from YouTube channel Ẩm Thực Việt.

Edited by Nguyen Da Thu Thao • Updated 01/18/2024