Vietnamese Steamed Crab in Beer

How to Make Cua Hấp Bia

Cua hap bia, or steamed crab in beer, makes a stellar Vietnamese seafood dish, especially for special occasions. Live crabs get seasoned simply with black pepper, salt and lemongrass, then steamed gently in a broth flavored by cheap refreshing beer. The beer imparts subtle malty sweetness that perfectly complements the sweet crab meat. Follow these steps to make this Vietnamese crab delicacy at home.

Ingredients You’ll prepare

– 6 live blue crabs or Dungeness crabs
– 12 oz cheap light beer
– 2 lemongrass stalks, smashed
– 1 tablespoon black pepper
– 2 teaspoons salt
– Lime wedges for serving
– Vietnamese dipping sauce for serving

 

 

 

 

Have the Live Crabs

Rinse the live crabs under cold water and use a stiff scrub brush to clean their outer shells. Remove the top shell by lifting the pointed flaps on the back and pulling it off. Discard the feather-like gills. Cut each crab in half.

Make the Steaming Broth

Pour 12 oz light beer like a pilsner or lager into a large pot. Add 2 lemongrass stalks, smashed with the back of a knife. Season with 1 tablespoon black pepper and 2 teaspoons salt.

Steam the Halved Crabs

Place the halved crabs directly into the steaming broth. Make sure they are fully submerged. Cover and steam for 8-10 minutes until the crab meat is opaque white. Avoid overcooking steamed crab in beer.

Remove and Serve Hot

Use tongs to transfer the steamed crab halves to a platter. Serve immediately with lime wedges, chili sauce, pepper and salt. Pull out the sweet crab meat from the shells!

Tips for Success:

– Use live or very fresh uncooked crabs.
– Scrub the crabs clean before steaming.
– Check for doneness early to avoid overcooking.
– Crack claws and legs before serving for easy access.
– Provide crab crackers, shell picks and bibs.

 

 

 

 

Try These Delicious Variations:

– Use half pilsner beer, half clam juice for the broth.
– Season the crabs with chopped garlic before steaming.
– Add Thai basil leaves or dill to the steaming liquid.
– Serve with ginger-lime dipping sauce instead.
– Stir in chili garlic paste for spicy kick.

Steamed crabs in beer creates amazing sweetness and flavor. Adjust the steaming time for larger or smaller crabs. Enjoy this impressive Vietnamese-style crab dish! If you are in Vietnam and interested in discovering more about Hanoi – the capital and its significance, we invite you to join us at Free Walking Tours Hanoi. We’ll take you across the building, and provide you with a unique perspective of the city. Book now and don’t miss out on this amazing experience.