1945-2000 - Alaskan Coastal Seafood Communities

King Crab Boil

Name: King Crab Boil
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 4 pounds Alaskan king crab legs; 1 pound small red potatoes; 2 ears corn, cut into thirds; 1 lemon, sliced; 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning or seafood boil seasoning; 1 head garlic, halved crosswise; 2 bay leaves; Salt to taste; 2 tablespoons butter (optional); Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

King crab boil is a communal seafood feast popular in Alaska, featuring Alaskan king crab legs cooked in seasoned boiling water with spices, potatoes, corn, and other accompaniments. This method emphasizes the freshness of regional shellfish and is integral to Alaskan coastal celebrations.

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Difficulty

Easy

Prep time

10 minutes

Cook time

30 minutes

Total time

40 minutes

Servings

Region

Kodiak and Bering Sea, Alaska

Era introduced

1945-2000

Introduced by

Alaskan Coastal Seafood Communities

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The Story

The king crab boil showcases Alaska's bountiful seafood harvests and embodies communal feasting traditions on the coastal frontier. This boiling method, incorporating robust spices and hearty sides, emphasizes the freshness of king crab while creating festive large-group meals common in Alaskan seafood communities across multiple decades.

Ingredients

4 pounds Alaskan king crab legs
1 pound small red potatoes
2 ears corn, cut into thirds
1 lemon, sliced
1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning or seafood boil seasoning
1 head garlic, halved crosswise
2 bay leaves
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons butter (optional)
Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Equipment

Large pot
Cutting board
Chef's knife
Measuring cups and spoons

Directions

Fill large pot with water and bring to a boil.
Add garlic, lemon slices, Old Bay seasoning, bay leaves, and salt.
Add potatoes and cook 10-15 minutes until almost tender.
Add corn and crab legs to pot; cook 10-15 minutes until crab is heated through and corn tender.
Drain everything and transfer to a large serving platter.
Melt butter and drizzle over crab and vegetables if desired.
Garnish with parsley before serving.

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