They are called mudbugs for a reason! Washing your crawfish is a crucial step that ensures your seafood is clean and ready for boiling. Crawfish burrow themselves in muddy environments and are typically covered in mud and debris when purchased. Properly cleaning them not only removes this unwanted grime but also prevents the muddy flavor from overpowering your spices. Taking the time to wash your crawfish sets the foundation for a perfect boil. Here’s how you can clean them effectively using two simple methods.
Note: Remove any dead crawfish and pick out any remaining debris.
Some extra tips before you start washing your crawfish:
Cleaning crawfish can be a time-consuming task, depending on your set-up and how muddy they are. That’s why we’ve made it the second step in our detailed step-by-step PDF guide. Staying ahead of this process ensures it’s not rushed.
Whether you’re using a crawfish cleaner or an ice chest, you’ll want to be near a drain or natural runoff to dispose of the dirty water. This set up keeps your area clean and prevents water from puddling.
Once you get your crawfish home, keep them out of direct sunlight. Instead, store your crawfish in a cool, shaded area to maximize survival before cleaning and boiling. Some recommend using a large cooler with the lid off or cracked.
At Boil Boss, we can’t stress the importance of washing crawfish enough. It is an essential step to ensure they’re free from mud and other debris before boiling. The only ingredients that belong in your boil are crawfish, a seafood boil seasoning bag, onions/garlic, and your other lagniappe! We recommend cleaning crawfish with a commercial crawfish cleaner, but as long as the water runs clear, you’re good to go. The end goal is always clean crawfish that’s ready to head into your crawfish boil equipment. Discover innovative supplies for your seafood boil today!
Where can I buy live crawfish? For non-Southern natives, we get this question a lot, so we decided to put together a sourcing guide to make it simple. Of course, where you live plays the biggest role in how easy or difficult it is to get your hands on some fresh crawfish. If you’re a Louisiana local, or live in most Southern states, you have an abundance of options available and likely already know your favorite spot.
