Crab legs are a delicious and popular seafood option that can be prepared in various ways. One of the easiest and most foolproof methods is baking crab legs in the oven. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have restaurant-quality crab legs ready in no time.
In this comprehensive guide we will cover everything you need to know about cooking crab legs in the oven from choosing the right crab legs to prepping and seasoning them correctly. We’ll also provide tips for achieving the perfect texture and preventing the crab meat from drying out. Follow this simple oven-baked crab legs recipe, and you’ll be enjoying tender, juicy crab in less than 30 minutes.
Choosing the Right Crab Legs
The first step is selecting high-quality crab legs for baking. The most common options are:
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Snow crab legs: Snow crab legs are long, thin legs with sweet white meat. They tend to be more affordable and milder in flavor.
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King crab legs: King crab legs offer a hearty, rich-flavored meat. The legs are shorter but wider, with a reddish hue. King crab is pricier but worth it for special occasions.
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Dungeness crab legs: From the Pacific Northwest, Dungeness crab has a sweet, delicate flavor. The legs are shorter due to the crab’s size.
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Stone crab claws: Stone crab claws offer tasty, firm meat. Since only the claws are eaten, the yield is lower per pound.
No matter what type you choose, look for legs that are fresh, intact, and frozen well. Legs still in the shell ensure the freshest meat. Thaw frozen legs overnight in the fridge before baking.
Prep Steps for Oven-Baked Crab Legs
Proper prep is key to delicious oven-baked crab legs. Here are the key steps:
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Rinse the legs. Give the crab legs a quick rinse under cold water before baking. This removes any debris.
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Cut apart clusters. Use kitchen shears to cut bundled legs into individual pieces. This exposes more area for seasoning.
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Puncture the shells. Use a knife or skewer to poke holes along the shell. The seasonings and moisture will seep in and flavor the meat.
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Pat dry. Dry the crab legs with paper towels before adding any oil or butter. This helps the seasoning adhere.
Seasoning Oven-Baked Crab Legs
The simplest way to season crab legs is by brushing them with melted butter and sprinkling on Old Bay seasoning. But you can also kick up the flavor with:
- Fresh lemon juice and minced garlic
- Italian herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme
- Chili powder or cayenne for heat
- Fresh parsley and paprika
Get creative and use your favorite crab seasoning combo. Just brush the mixture over each leg before baking.
How to Bake Crab Legs Perfectly
Baking crab legs in the oven is hands-off easy. Follow these steps for tender, flaky meat:
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Preheat oven to 375°F. This moderately hot temperature prevents overcooking.
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Use a rimmed baking sheet. The raised edges keep butter and juices from dripping.
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Form a single layer. Avoid overcrowding for even cooking. Use two sheets if needed.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes. The time depends on the size and quantity of crab legs. Check for doneness at 15 minutes.
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Check for opacity. Properly cooked crab meat will be opaque versus translucent when raw.
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Watch for browning. For added flavor, broil the legs for 1-2 minutes at the end.
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Allow to rest. Let the crab legs sit for 5 minutes before eating. This finishes the cooking process.
Handy Oven-Baked Crab Legs Tips
Follow these tips for extra-delicious oven-baked crab legs every time:
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Cover the legs with foil for the first half of baking to prevent drying out. Remove for browning at the end.
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Stir the butter and seasonings before brushing to evenly coat the crab legs.
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Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, and dipping sauces for adding flavor after baking.
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Refrigerate leftovers and reheat within 2-3 days. The oven or microwave works for reheating.
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Check for shell fragments when eating. Cracking the shell can leave behind sharp pieces.
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Provide seafood crackers, small hammers, or forks for breaking open the crab legs at the table.
Oven-Baked Crab Legs Recipe
Now that you know how to cook crab legs in the oven, try this simple recipe for foolproof results:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds snow crab legs, king crab legs, or Dungeness crab legs, thawed if frozen
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Rinse crab legs and pat dry with paper towels. Use kitchen shears to cut clusters into individual legs. Poke holes in the shell with a skewer.
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Arrange crab legs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush all over with melted butter.
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In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, and paprika. Sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly over crab legs.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes until crab meat is opaque. For browning, broil for 1-2 minutes.
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Let crab legs rest for 5 minutes before serving. Provide lemon wedges, melted butter, and tools for cracking the shell. Enjoy!
The simplicity of baking makes oven-cooked crab legs an easy and foolproof dinner. In just 30 minutes, you can have tender, juicy crab ready to enjoy. Experiment with different seasonings and serve with dipping sauces. Now go enjoy those delicious crab legs straight from your home oven!
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It’s beginning to look a lot like crab season (our favorite time of the year)! Crab Legs are a popular option with our customers. Especially once the weather warms, making dining al fresco a less messy crabby affair. So, we wanted to provide some of our favorite methods for cooking these delectable leggy clusters. Whether it’s broiling, baking, grilling or steaming, you’re bound to find a new favorite crab cooking method.
Broiling is simply a cooking method where the product is exposed to direct heat. Often in our ovens, with a rack positioned as close to the heat source as possible. That direct heat warms rapidly and causes a little charring, imparting tons of flavor.
Why Should I Broil my Crab Legs?
Broiling happens very FAST! Crab legs cook in record time and (since we’re just using a baking sheet) with minimal clean up.
How to Broil my Crab Legs…
Preheat your broiler on low. Season and toss the crab legs with a little Old Bay and space out evenly on your baking sheet (you may need to do this in batches, depending on how many clusters you have). Broil for 3 minutes per side and let cool enough for you to handle before serving.
Alternatively, you can split the crab legs and body, exposing the meat, and season with butter, garlic, lemon, etc… This will provide that tell-tale charing and succulence (mouth is watering just thinking about it).
Baking is another easy-peasy cooking method. Providing a little slower cook time, since the product is usually in the center of the oven with radiant heat swirling around, cooking everything evenly. And with less aggressive temperatures.
Why Should I Bake my Crab Legs?
This is a forgivable cooking method for those that, whoops, forgot to thaw their crab legs before cooking. This is also ideal for marinated crab legs (in a nice EVOO, fresh herbs, citrus and garlic marinade), letting those flavors fully absorb into the meat.
This method also doesn’t require as much ‘babysitting’ as some of the other crab cooking methods, giving home-cooks a little downtime before devouring.
How to Bake my Crab Legs…
Preheat your oven to about 350°F-400°F. Place your crab leg clusters on a baking sheet or XL casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, if thawed, and 35-45 minutes, if frozen.
The ideal summer crab cooking method, no need to turn on any indoor appliances (and subsequently heat up the house in the process). Just you and your grill. Grilling and broiling are culinary neighbors, both require direct intense heat, warming food quickly and usually with a flavorful char to boot.
Why Should I Grill my Crab Legs?
Grilling your crab legs imparts that nice smoky flavor of all grilled goods. Weather permitting, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy the day, with a resulting rich and tasty crab leg dinner. Another nice perk of grilling, is that you can combine the joys experienced with baking and broiling. Your, destined for the grill, crab legs can be marinated ahead of time (as with baking) or simply basted while cooking (as with broiling).
How to Grill my Crab Legs…
Grilled crab legs should be thoroughly thawed before being grilled, this will provide the best results. Drippage from ‘thawing while cooking’ legs could cause flare-ups, potentially risking a burnt leg instead of a grilled leg.
Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350°F-400°F). Grill crab legs for about 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until hot throughout. Let cool enough for you to handle before serving.
The all-time classic cooking method for crab legs! Steaming is an indirect cooking method, meaning that the product is not directly over fire, heat or flame, and cooked by the resulting steam of boiling liquid.
Why Should I Steam my Crab Legs?
The reason that steaming is the go-to for so many is that (one) it’s very easy to do and (two) locks in moisture, reducing the risk of potentially drying out your crab legs. The only downside to steaming is the clean up, you’ll need a seriously large pot and steamer basket to fit your clusters and you really can’t marinate or baste before or while the legs are steaming (you risk getting steamed in the process or the marinade will just be watered down). Albeit, like baking, steaming is a forgivable crab cooking method if you accidentally forgot to thaw your crab legs.
How to Steam my Crab Legs…
Fill your steamer base to the recommended height with water (or boost flavor by using beer, wine or any other well flavored liquid) and bring to a boil). Fill your steamer basket with crab leg clusters (you may need to work in batches here, depending on how many crab legs will fit). Reduce heat to medium (just simmering the liquid) and steam for 10-12 minutes, thawed or 20-25 minutes, if frozen.
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FAQ
How long are you supposed to cook crab legs in the oven?
Cook in the oven for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size and whether they are frozen or thawed. 15 minutes is better for thawed and 20 or so minutes is better for frozen crab legs. Check them at 20 minutes to make sure they aren’t getting dried out.
Is it better to bake crab legs or boil them?
Baking crab legs in the shell creates a steaming effect, which helps the meat separate from shell. This process makes it super easy to crack and peel without losing all that delicious crab meat! Plus, the butter and Old Bay add even more richness to the crab meat.
How long to cook frozen crab legs at 350 degrees?
To bake crab legs, preheat oven to 350° degrees. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking pan in single layers. Place hot water in the pan, about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for eight to ten minutes.