
If you are a seafood lover, chances are Jonah crab claws are high on your list of favorite delicacies.
However, going out for a crab dinner with the whole family can leave a pretty big dent in your budget.
Whether its snow crab claws served as the main course or any other types of crabs, it all equates to an expensive night out.
This is why you need to grab an apron and learn how to cook crab claws at home once and for all.
With this Jonah crab claws recipe, you will finally be able to enjoy crab meat the way it is supposed to be.

Are Jonah Crab Claws the Same as Stone Crab Claws?
No, these are different types of crabs that you should not get mixed up. On Jonah crabs, the claws are the same size while Stone crab claws have one claw being much bigger than the other. Before we get into the recipe, let us look at some of the common types of crab claws people like to eat, because there are more than just Jonah crab claws out there! The last thing you want is to get your crab claws mixed up, so make sure you know these:
- Dungeness Crab claws
- Stone Crab claws
- King Crab claws (also called Alaskan King Crab)
- Soft Shell Crab claws
- Rock Crab or Snow Crab claws (also called Spider Crab)
- Blue Crab claws
- Peekytoe Crab claws
All of these crab claws make excellent dishes, but today we will focus on my favorite, the Jonah crab claws recipe!

How To Cook Jonah Crab Claws
Jonah crab claws may not be as sweet as Stone crab claws, but with my delicious Jonah crab claws recipe, you will not be able to tell the difference! The best thing about this recipe is that it is very easy to follow.
Instructions
Jonah crab claws are already cooked and frozen so all you need to do is defrost them in the fridge overnight or, if you are in a hurry, simply place them under cold running water for about half an hour.
To prepare the Jonah crab claws, warm them up in a steamer basket for about four minutes, or however long it takes to make them warm enough to serve. If you prefer, you can wrap the crab claws in aluminum foil.
They are also delicious when served cold, so that is another option if you do not have the time to cook crab claws.
Serving Ideas
There are two ways you can enjoy your Jonah crab claws; either warm or chilled. It is all a matter of taste because I think they are delicious either way.
When serving warm you will need some melted butter and can add a few lemon wedges for garnish. There’s also nothing better than crab legs with garlic butter!
To serve chilled, simply place your crab claws on a bed of crushed ice accompanied by your cold cocktail sauce for dipping.
Are you going to have Jonah crab claws as the main course? Make sure you have some sides to go along with the meal, such as corn on the cob, steamed rice, or baked potatoes.

Nutritional Value
If you are worried about calories, this is a great recipe to consider. It only has about 500 calories, while giving you a great dose of vitamins and iron. Here is the complete list of nutritional information:
- Calories: 508kcal
- Iron: 1mg
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Calcium: 91mg
- Protein: 27g
- Calcium: 91mg
- Fat: 37g
- Vitamin A: 615IU
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Sugar: 10g
- Cholesterol: 126mg
- Potassium: 713mg
- Sodium: 1177mg
Some Questions I Usually Get
- How Do Jonah Crab Claws Compare To Other Types of Crab Claws in Terms of Taste?
The taste for me is quite close to that of stone crab claws, especially when prepared according to this recipe.
Some may compare the taste to that of snow crab claws or blue crab claws, but for me, there are definite similarities to stone crab claws in there.
- Do I Need to Thaw My Jonah Crab Claws Before I Prepare Them or Just Heat Them Directly?
I recommend thawing them first right before you start cooking. However, this should be done in the fridge, and make sure you do not wait too long after they have thawed to use them.
- How Much Should I Expect To Pay for a Pound of Jonah Crab Claws?
The cheaper price for Jonah crab claws compared to stone crab claws is the main selling point for me, so I’m always on the lookout for a great bargain!
On average, expect to pay about $8 to $9 per pound if you buy them on the West Coast where they are cheapest. The price will go up the further inland you go, of course.
Jonah Crab Claws

Jonah Crab claws may not be as sweet as Stone Crab claws, but with my delicious Jonah Crab claws recipe, you will not be able to tell the difference!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Jonah Crab claws
The Crab Shack Mustard Sauce
- 1 tsp. A.1. Steak Sauce
- 2 tbsp. half-and-half
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tsp. dry mustard
- 1 c. mayonnaise
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Garlic Butter
- 4 tbsp. melted butter
- 1 or 2 cloves garlic, chopped
Cocktail Sauce
- 1 c. ketchup
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tsp. prepared horseradish, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Jonah Crab claws are already cooked and frozen so all you need to do is defrost them in the fridge overnight or, if you are in a hurry, simply place them under cold running water for about half an hour. To prepare our Jonah Crab claws, warm them up in a steamer basket for about four minutes, or however long it takes to make them warm enough to serve. If you prefer, you can wrap the crab claws in aluminum foil.
- To create the Crab Shack Mustard Sauce, simply mix all these ingredients and refrigerate.
- For the garlic butter, melt down the butter in a pan. Then, add the cloves of garlic to the butter and sauté in a pan or medium pot for a little while. This is the trickiest part of the cooking process because you want the butter to melt but not burn. The garlic butter is best served warm even if you are having your Jonah crabs cold.
- To create the cocktail sauce, simply mix all the ingredients until they are well combined. Once done, keep your cocktail sauce in the fridge.
Notes
Jonah Crab claws are also delicious when served cold, so that is another option if you do not have the time to cook crab claws.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 759Total Fat: 56gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 39gCholesterol: 276mgSodium: 2092mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 43g