King crab legs are a high protein seafood choice that can transform any meal into a special occasion. They are also easy to prepare!
King Crab Legs
Known for their size and sweet, tender meat, king crab legs are not just a treat for the palate but also offer nutritional benefits that make them a healthy indulgence. King crab legs may be intimidating if you’ve never prepared them at home, but you may be surprised to learn how easy they are to cook! Since king crab legs are cooked before they are flash frozen, you’re basically reheating them! They’re fast, and you can make them multiple ways: baking, microwaving, or steaming. Choose whatever is most convenient for you! And if you’d rather grill king crab legs, follow these directions. Other seafood recipes you might enjoy are these Grilled Lobster Tails with Herb Garlic Butter and Shrimp Scampi Foil Packets.
Ingredients
King Crab Legs – they are cooked before they are flash-frozen, so basically, all you are doing is reheating them. You can also use Dungeness crab which is similar in flavor to king crab, but shorter and contain much less meat. Snow crab is another option very similar to king crab.
How to Prepare King Crab Legs at Home (3 Ways)
Below are 3 easy crab leg recipes. Before you get started, you’ll need to defrost them in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight. If you’re short on time, fill your sink with cold water and let the legs sit in the water for 20 to 30 minutes until thawed. If using the steaming method, you can cook from frozen about 10 to 12 minutes.
- King Crab Legs in the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350F. Place the crab legs in a single layer in a large baking dish. You may need to cut them at the joints to fit them in the pan properly. Pour just enough water into the baking dish to cover the bottom (about 1/4 cup). This will steam the crab legs as it bakes, keeping it moist. Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil to keep the steam in. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. The crab is already cooked, so you’re just heating it through.
- Microwave: Wrap the crab legs with wet paper towels and microwave on high for about 3 to 4 minutes until warm.
- Steamed King Crab Legs: Fill a large pot with water and put a steamer insert inside. Bring the water to a boil, and steam the crab legs for about 8 to 10 minutes. If frozen, cook 10 to 12 minutes.
Regardless of the cooking method, I like to finish my crab legs off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. You can also serve them with melted butter with lemon juice or garlic mixed in.
What to Serve with King Crab Legs
Here are some side dish ideas to serve with the crab:
Storage
Crab legs are best eaten the day they are prepared, but if you have leftovers, they will last up to three days in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the microwave until warm, or eat the meat cold on a salad.
FAQs
Which crab is better: snow or king?
King crab legs are the largest type with the most meat. Snow crab legs are similar but have thinner legs.
What does king crab meat taste like?
King crab meat is sweet, tender, and similar to lobster meat.
Is it better to steam or bake king crab legs?
Steaming versus baking king crab legs is a matter of preference. They are both simple options. If I don’t want to turn on my oven in the summer, then usually steam them.
How long do you cook king crab legs?
It depends on the cooking method, but they are generally ready to eat in under 10 minutes.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t overcook: Avoid overcooking which can make it tough.
- Don’t purchase crab legs that are already thawed. Frozen crab legs are best because they will be fresher.
- Cracking the Shell: You might want to crack the shells before heating, so they’re easier to open after they’re heated. I find it easiest to do with a kitchen scissor.
- Melted Butter: A little goes a long way, this is where the calories quickly add up!
- Use Tools: Have crab crackers and seafood forks on hand to help get the meat out of the shell.
More Crab Recipes You’ll Love
King Crab Legs – How To Make
Ingredients
Instructions
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Thaw the Crab Legs: If your king crab legs are frozen, you’ll need to thaw them first. The best way to do this is by placing them in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker method, you can run them under cold water for a few minutes.
Oven Method:
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350F.
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Prepare the Baking Pan: Place the crab legs in a single layer in a large baking dish. You may need to cut them at the joints to fit them in the pan properly.
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Add Liquid: Pour just enough water into the baking dish to cover the bottom (about 1/4 cup). This will steam the crab legs as it bakes, keeping it moist.
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Cover with Foil: Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil to keep the steam in.
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Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. The crab is already cooked, so you’re just heating it through.
Steam in Pot Method:
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To steam, fill a large pot with water, with a steamer insert, and bring to a boil. Steam the legs for about 8 to 10 minutes, until heated though, then drain and serve. If frozen, cook 10 to 12 minutes, until hot.
Microwave Method:
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If you would rather use the microwave, you can put a wet paper towels around the legs and microwave on high 3 to 4 minutes.
Serve
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Squeeze some lemon on them and dig in!
Last Step:
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Notes
Helpful Tips:
- Don’t overcook: Avoid overcooking which can make it tough.
- Cracking the Shell: You might want to crack the shells before heating, so they’re easier to open after they’re heated. I find it easiest to do with a kitchen scissor.
- Melted Butter: A little goes a long way, this is where the calories quickly add up!
- Use Tools: Have crab crackers and seafood forks on hand to help get the meat out of the shell.