Snow crab legs are a delicious treat that many seafood lovers enjoy Their sweet, succulent meat is hidden within a hard shell, making it a fun interactive meal to crack open and devour. While boiling and steaming on the stovetop are popular cooking methods, the oven can be just as effective for achieving tender, flaky snow crab legs
Steaming in the oven is easy convenient and helps retain moisture. With a few simple tools, you can serve up restaurant-quality crab legs at home. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about prepping, seasoning, and baking these decadent crustacean legs.
Benefits of Steaming Crab Legs in the Oven
Steaming in the oven has a few advantages over stovetop steaming:
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Hands-off cooking: Once you set the temperature and timer, you can focus on other parts of the meal while the oven does the work.
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Even cooking: The hot air circulates uniformly around the crab legs, steaming them evenly on all sides.
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Holds moisture: The sealed environment traps steam to keep crab meat tender.
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Large batches: You can cook more crab legs at once than on the stovetop.
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Adds flavor: It’s easy to season the crab before steaming.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for foolproof oven-steamed snow crab legs every time:
Ingredients
- Snow crab legs, clusters or sections – fresh or thawed
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Cooking spray or olive oil (optional)
- Seasonings of choice (Old Bay, lemon pepper, garlic powder, etc.)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature evenly cooks the crab legs.
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Prepare crab legs. Rinse under cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels. Cut clusters into individual legs, if desired.
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Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment. The liner helps contain steam and juices. Lightly coat with cooking spray or oil if desired.
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Arrange crab legs in a single layer on the lined pan. Too many layers may prevent even steaming.
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Season the crab legs as desired. Brush or sprinkle with olive oil, Old Bay, garlic powder, lemon pepper, etc.
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Cover the pan tightly with more foil. Make sure the foil tent seals in steam.
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Bake for 10-15 minutes. The timing depends on the size and quantity of crab legs.
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Check for doneness. Look for opaque, white meat and reddish-orange shells. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.
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Serve and enjoy! Smother in melted butter and lemon wedges for dipping.
Choosing Your Crab
The most common varieties for steaming are:
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Snow crab: Sweet, tender meat from smaller legs. Most budget-friendly.
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King crab: Larger legs with moist meat and great crab flavor. A luxurious splurge.
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Dungeness crab: Firm, briny meat from the Pacific Northwest region. Legs are shorter.
No matter which type you select, always look for crab legs that smell fresh with no fishy odor. Inspect them closely for cracks in the shell or trickling liquid, which indicates spoilage.
Seasoning and Flavoring Your Crab Legs
One advantage of oven steaming is how easy it is to add flavor. Just coat or sprinkle the crab legs before baking:
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Melted butter – Brush on plain or garlic-infused melted butter.
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Old Bay seasoning – The classic crab seasoning provides just the right kick.
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Lemon pepper – Bright, citrusy flavor that complements the brininess.
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Cajun seasoning – For a savory, spicy touch of Cajun country.
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Fresh herbs – Dill, parsley, chives all work well.
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Garlic powder – Enhances the richness of the crab’s natural flavor.
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Paprika or cayenne – For those who like a little heat.
Get creative and come up with your own signature preparation! Any oil or spice blend pairs nicely with sweet crab.
Serving Suggestions
Once your snow crab legs are oven-steamed to tender perfection, try these serving ideas:
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Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley or dill.
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Offer gloves and crab crackers to easily break open the shells.
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Pair with crusty bread to soak up all the lovely butter sauce.
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Serve over pasta, rice, or roasted potatoes to complete the meal.
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Top a salad with chilled crab meat picked from the shells.
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Stuff the crab legs in bell peppers or mushrooms for a unique presentation.
Crab legs make fantastic appetizers for parties when paired with a creamy dip or aioli. They’re also special enough to serve as the centerpiece main course of a romantic meal for two.
More Delicious Ways to Cook Snow Crab at Home
While steaming is one of the simplest cooking methods to reveal the pure, delicate flavor of snow crab, there are other tasty preparations to try:
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Baked crab legs – The oven tenderizes legs brushed with oil, garlic, and seasonings.
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Broiled crab legs – Quick cooking under the broiler. Watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
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Crab cakes – Bind lump crab meat with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings, then pan-fry into crisp cakes.
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Crab soup – Snow crab makes the perfect protein for seafood corn chowders and bisques.
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Crab dip – Combine shredded crab with cream cheese, sour cream, and spices. Serve chilled or warm.
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Crab salad – Chill and pick crab meat to toss in tangy dressings or mayo mixtures.
So grab some snow crab legs from the fish market or freezer section. With this foolproof method for oven-steamed perfection, you can enjoy restaurant-caliber crab in the comfort of your own home. Crack open these luscious legs with drawn butter and lemon for a supreme seafood feast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I use to steam crab legs in the oven?
375°F (190°C) is the ideal temperature to steam crab legs in the oven. This allows the legs to heat through completely while retaining moisture.
How long does it take to steam crab legs in the oven?
It takes 10-15 minutes to steam crab legs in the oven, depending on the size and quantity. Larger king crab legs may take closer to 15 minutes.
Can I use frozen crab legs straight from the freezer?
It’s best to thaw frozen crab legs in the refrigerator overnight before steaming. This prevents uneven cooking.
How do I know when the crab legs are done steaming?
Check for opaque, white crab meat that easily pulls away from the shell. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
What’s the difference between snow crab and king crab legs?
Snow crab legs are smaller with tender meat, while king crab legs are larger with moist, flavorful meat. Both work well for oven steaming.
What can I use if I don’t have parchment paper or foil?
You can line the baking sheet with a thin kitchen towel if parchment or foil is unavailable. Tuck it tightly around the crab legs.
Can I flavor the crab legs with spices, garlic, or herbs?
Yes, seasoning the crab legs before steaming adds lots of flavor. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with Old Bay, or coat with fresh herbs.
What are the best dipping sauces for steamed crab legs?
Classic pairings include melted butter, lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, and creamy aioli. Feel free to experiment with different dipping sauces.
Steaming snow crab legs in the oven is an easy cooking method that consistently yields amazing results. With the proper prep and cook times, you’ll enjoy tender, juicy crab legs brimming with sweet flavor. Gather your simple ingredients, crank up the oven, and get ready to crack into these succulent seafood treats.
Instant Pot Crab Legs
Instant pots make everything so effortless, don’t they? Well the same goes for your snow crab and king crab legs. Depending on the size of your instant pot, you may want to reserve this method for smaller meals and perhaps snow crab clusters, but it sure locks in moisture and offers flavorful legs.
Place the trivet into your six-quart instant pot and add one cup of water.
Add three to four clusters of fresh or frozen crab legs per batch. Carefully fold the legs to fit them adequately. Helpful tip: thawed legs are easier than frozen to fold and fit for this method. Close lid and cook on manual high pressure for four minutes, then quick release. Repeat with additional batches using the same water.
Boiling your crab offers a way for the water to get in between the cooked crab meat and shell, keeping your legs moist and juicy. Many people prefer this quick and easy method, but its worth mentioning others tend to find it can make the legs a bit watery if not drained completely. Here’s how to boil your snow or king crab like a pro:
Fill a large pot with water and a pinch of salt, then bring to a boil.
Carefully fold legs at the joints, submerge your crab legs into the boiling water, and then immediately simmer for four to five minutes. Remove from water, drain legs, cool for a few minutes, and serve.
Steaming crab legs is similar to the boiling method. Many people will tell you that steaming is a better choice because it allows all of the crab flavor to stay inside the shell rather than leaking into your cooking water. The downside is that most steaming baskets can only hold about a pound of crab legs, so plan accordingly.
Place your steamer basket over one inch of water. Carefully fold and place your king or snow crabs into the steamer basket and bring the water to a boil.
When your water reaches a boil, reduce the heat, cover your pot, and simmer for five to six minutes if thawed and ten minutes if frozen. Maintain a simmering state to heat the legs throughout.
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It makes our mouth water just thinking of preparing a crab leg feast. The best part is, crab legs happen to be one of the easiest seafood meals you can make at home. It will also save you quite a bit of money cooking them at home, so enjoy an extra pound or two. No need to stress over preparing this delicious dinner – we’re going to walk you through several ways to prepare your king crab and snow crab legs, how to eat them, and the best way to serve them. We’ll even give you a few pros and cons to each cooking method and our best tips on preparing perfect crab legs every time.