Alaskan Dungeness Crab (Cluster)
Alaskan Dungeness crab clusters are the sweetest crab we sell. Each cluster is 10 to 12 oz of wild-caught Dungeness from Southeast Alaska, flash-frozen at sea and shipped to you frozen on dry ice.
Dungeness has a flavour people describe as sweet and almost nutty, softer and more delicate than snow crab, with meat that comes out of the shell in satisfying whole pieces. A cluster keeps the legs and shoulder together, so you get the shoulder meat as well as the legs.
Southeast Alaska, wild-caught
These clusters come from the cold, clean water of Southeast Alaska, harvested by a fishermen-owned fleet and frozen on the boat rather than at a plant days later. Freezing at sea is the difference between crab that still tastes of the ocean and crab that tastes of the freezer.
How to cook Dungeness crab clusters
They arrive cooked, so this is reheating, not cooking.
- Steam: 6 to 8 minutes from frozen.
- Boil: 5 minutes in salted water.
- Oven: 375°F for 10 minutes, covered, with a splash of water.
Dungeness is delicate. It takes less heat than snow crab and it turns stringy if you push it, so check early. Melted butter and lemon is the traditional serve. Dungeness is also the crab to use for crab cakes or crab rolls, because the meat holds together in large pieces.
Questions people ask
What does Dungeness crab taste like?
Sweet and mild, with a slightly nutty finish. It is softer and more delicate than snow crab, and much less rich than king crab. Most people who try all three rate Dungeness the sweetest.
How many Dungeness crab clusters do I need per person?
One to two clusters per person as a main course, depending on what else is on the table.
What is the difference between Dungeness and snow crab?
Dungeness is sweeter and softer, with meat that comes away in large pieces, and it is caught along the Pacific coast including Southeast Alaska. Snow crab is milder and slimmer-legged, from the Bering Sea, and easier to eat by hand.
Is a Dungeness crab cluster the same as Dungeness crab clusters?
Yes. A cluster is one section of crab with legs and shoulder attached. Orders are priced per cluster, and most people buy two or more at a time.
- Serving Size - 6oz
- Calories - 140cal
- Fat - 0g
- Carbs - 0g
- Protein - 28g
To ensure the highest quality and safety, follow these recommended methods for thawing seafood:
Refrigerator Thawing: Place the seafood on a plate and thaw in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours or overnight. This method maintains a safe, constant temperature and preserves the best quality.
Cold Water Thawing: For faster thawing, place your vacuum-sealed seafood in a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Once thawed, remove the seafood from the packaging, rinse gently with cool water, and pat dry.
Whidbey Island Seafood Company offers to ship to all orders outside of Whidbey Island, Washington. For more information please refer to our Shipping Policy Page.
