3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Get Started

Learn more & Get Tips

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

Get Started

Learn more & Get Tips

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Get Started

Learn more & Get Tips

Print PDF

Favorite

How to Cook and Clean a Fresh Dungeness Crab

Step 6Remove gills

Remove and discard the spongy, inedible gills from either side of the body.

« Previous Step

Download PDFView All Steps

Next Step »

4 comments

May 19, 2012. 11:18 PMcveale says:

Crab gills are in no way or shape poisonous. They're just not edible, like feathers.

Sep 26, 2010. 10:52 AMRoboticKop says:

The gills are has a nice crunchy yet soft texture. what do you mean by not edible? Do you mean it does not have nutrients?

Feb 21, 2012. 8:27 AMTheCritic says:

Gills are NOT an edible part of the crab IN NO WAY due to the toxins which may filter through them along with the bad texture and taste.

Sep 26, 2011. 2:06 PMSandySprueill says:

I believe that what he means is that the gills are actually very bad for you. The gills are full of toxins and metals that the crab (a bottom feeder) has come into contact with during his lifetime.

I'm sure that they have a nice texture and may be completely edible for some species but for dungeness I would strongly suggest not eating the gills.

Dec 30, 2011. 1:02 PMpsycho_candy says:

Dude, I'm Asian, I think this guy is totally nuts for getting rid of all the "icky guts" of the crab. As Bunk said in the Wire: "Damn white people, throw away the best part of the crab." But you DON'T eat the gills on a Dungeness Crab, that is just plain WRONG.

Feb 21, 2012. 8:24 AMTheCritic says:

I am from the states and I agree TOTALLY. HUGE FAIL THERE.

Can't believe how ignorant some people can be to throw away the best part of the crab. Most of ALL the micheline star restaurants use this to make a GREAT sauce to go along with the crab.