How to reheat boiled crawfish

Our shipped crawfish arrive already boiled and seasoned, cold and never frozen. Reheating takes about ten minutes. The trick is heating them through without cooking them twice.

When your box arrives

• Open it right away and put the bags in the refrigerator (40°F or colder).
• Eat them within 3 days of delivery for the best taste.
• Keep them sealed in their bags until you're ready to reheat.

Best method: steam them (8 minutes)

1. Put 1 to 2 inches of water in a large pot with a steamer basket or colander. Add a spoonful of crawfish seasoning or a lemon to the water if you like.
2. Bring the water to a boil.
3. Add the crawfish to the basket, cover, and steam for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring once, until they're hot all the way through.
4. Pour them out on the table and eat.

Quick method: the hot dunk (4 minutes)

1. Bring a big pot of water to a rolling boil. Season it if you want extra kick.
2. Turn off the heat, lower the crawfish in using a basket or strainer, and let them sit for 2 to 4 minutes.
3. Lift them out, drain, and serve.

What not to do

• Don't boil them again. A second full boil makes the tails mushy and hard to peel.
• Skip the microwave for a big batch. It heats unevenly. For a small plate, cover with a damp paper towel and heat 1 to 2 minutes.
• Don't freeze them before eating. Freezing ruins the texture of whole boiled crawfish. It's why we never ship them frozen.

Make it a boil

Steam some corn and potatoes while the water heats, toss everything with melted butter, garlic and a little more seasoning, and you've got a Louisiana boil on your own table. Pair it with our crawfish-per-person guide to order the right amount.

Common questions

Can you eat boiled crawfish cold?

Yes. Boiled crawfish are fully cooked, and plenty of people in Louisiana eat leftovers cold straight from the fridge. Keep them refrigerated and eat them within 3 days.

How long do you steam cooked crawfish to reheat them?

About 5 to 8 minutes over boiling water, covered, until they're hot all the way through.

Why are my reheated crawfish mushy?

They were cooked too long. Reheated crawfish only need a few minutes of heat; a second full boil overcooks the tail meat.