are crab legs cooked when you buy them

Are Crab Legs Cooked When You Buy Them? A Detailed GuideCrab legs are one of the most delicious and luxurious seafood treats out there Their sweet, tender meat tucked inside a hard shell is extremely satisfying to crack open and devour But one question that often comes up when buying crab legs is – are they already cooked when you purchase them?

The short answer is yes, most crab legs sold commercially are fully cooked and ready to eat But to truly understand why this is the case and how to choose, prepare and serve pre-cooked crab legs, read on for a detailed guide.

Types of Crab Legs
There are a few main varieties of crab legs available in stores and markets:

King Crab Legs – The largest and most prized type of crab legs, known for their thick, meaty texture and sweet flavor. The most popular kind is red king crab from Alaska.

Snow Crab Legs – Smaller, more affordable legs with delicate flavor. Snow crab is one of the most abundant types of crab harvested.

Dungeness Crab Legs – Named after Dungeness, Washington where they are caught. Appreciated for their tender white meat and slight brininess.

Stone Crab Legs – Harvested from Florida stone crabs. They feature hearty claw meat but are lower in volume of meat.

Understanding the different types of crab will help guide you when purchasing legs to suit your tastes and budget.

Are Crab Legs Pre-Cooked?
The vast majority of store-bought crab legs have already been fully cooked. This applies to frozen, fresh, and pasteurized crab legs. They have undergone the following cooking process:

• After catching, the crabs are immediately steamed, boiled or blanched onboard fishing vessels or right at the dock.

• Cooking takes 5-10 minutes to ensure proper food safety and tenderize the meat.

• Once cooked, the crab is chilled rapidly in cold water to stop the cooking process.

• Finally, the crab legs are processed, packaged and flash frozen to lock in freshness.

So rest assured that bag of crab legs you grab from the seafood section are already cooked and just need to be reheated. Read on for proper storage, prep and serving instructions.

Why Are Crab Legs Pre-Cooked?
There are two main reasons for pre-cooking crab legs before sale:

Food Safety – Cooking crab legs eliminates any health risks from bacteria, viruses or parasites that may be present in raw crab. Pre-cooking ensures the frozen legs you buy are safe to consume.

Convenience – Since the tedious cooking step is done, pre-cooked crab legs are an easy and quick protein to prepare. Just thaw and heat.

Additionally, pre-cooking helps retain moisture and flavor that may be lost in a second cooking. It streamlines the process for both suppliers and consumers.

How to Choose Crab Legs
When selecting raw crab legs at the market, keep these tips in mind:

• Look for legs that are brightly colored and shiny, avoiding any with dry, dull spots.

• Opt for legs that feel cold and firm, not warm or mushy.

• Legs should have a sea brine aroma, not a fishy or ammonia odor.

• Pre-cracked legs let you peek at the meat inside to check for quality.

• For budget buys, smaller snow crab legs offer light, tender meat.

• Splurge on hearty king crab legs for special occasions and indulgence.

Proper Storage of Crab Legs

To maximize the shelf life of your crab legs after purchase:

• Keep legs chilled at 32-40°F if eating within 2 days.

• For longer storage, place in freezer bags and freeze at 0°F for 4-6 months.

• Thaw frozen legs overnight in the fridge before cooking. Don’t re-freeze after thawing.

• Consume refrigerated legs within 3-5 days and frozen legs within 4-6 months for best quality.

How to Prepare Pre-Cooked Crab Legs
With raw crab legs, cooking time can vary greatly depending on size and type. But with pre-cooked legs, preparation is a cinch:

• No need to fully re-cook them, just heat through until hot and plump.

• Gentle steaming or baking avoids overcooking the tender meat.

• Quick microwaving or boiling works for small batches.

• Bake seasoned legs in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

• Steam over simmering water for 5-7 minutes. Don’t boil.

• Microwave on High 2-3 minutes per batch, flipping halfway.

• Grill legs quickly to add char. Watch closely to prevent burning.

• Check for doneness by cutting into thickest part of meat. It should be opaque and flaky.

Serving Tips for Crab Legs
Cracking open hot, pre-cooked crab legs and dipping the meat into butter or sauce is one of life’s simple luxuries. Follow these serving suggestions:

• Provide small hammers, crab crackers and picks to access the meat easily.

• Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, garlic butter or tangy cocktail sauce for dipping.

• Split the shells beforehand for a less messy experience. Ask your fishmonger to do it.

• Plump meat adds delightful texture to pastas, risottos or salads.

• For easy snacking, remove meat and add to baked dishes like mini crab cakes.

Now You Know!
Crab legs offer impressive flavor and satisfaction for special meals and foodie indulgence. Thanks to the pre-cooking process, enjoying them at home is convenient and straightforward. Look for high-quality, fresh legs, store them properly, then simply reheat gently before serving.

Follow this guide when buying, preparing and serving pre-cooked crab legs, and you will have mastered how to make the most of these decadent seafood treats. Crack open a cold beer or wine, gather family and friends, and delight in the sweet crab goodness.

Yes, raw (uncooked) crab legs are available for purchase, though they are often pre-cooked and frozen for convenience and preservation.