Snow crab legs are a delicious seafood treat that many people love to indulge in. However, cooking them properly at home can seem intimidating. The good news is that with a few simple tricks, you can cook snow crab legs in the oven for tender, juicy results every time. In this article, I’ll explain the benefits of oven cooking and walk you through a foolproof step-by-step method. You’ll also find oven-baked snow crab recipes so you can put your skills to delicious use
Why Cook Snow Crab Legs in the Oven?
There are several advantages to baking snow crab legs in the oven rather than boiling them on the stovetop:
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Even heating – The hot air circulates evenly around the crab legs preventing over or undercooking. No more mushy ends or icy centers!
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Added flavor – Seasoning and basting the legs before baking allows you to infuse more flavor.
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Less messy – Stovetop boiling can cause water splatters, while oven roasting neatly contains the mess.
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Moist meat – Indirect oven heat gently steams the meat, keeping it tender and juicy inside the shells.
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Versatile – Oven-cooked crab legs work for appetizers, mains, and special occasions.
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Easy cleanup – Just line a pan with foil for no-fuss cleanup after baking.
Step-By-Step Guide to Oven-Baked Snow Crab Legs
Follow these simple steps for perfect snow crab legs every time:
Ingredients
- Snow crab legs, cluster or legs only – about 1-1.5 lbs per person
- Melted butter or olive oil for brushing
- Seasonings: lemon pepper, Old Bay, paprika, garlic powder, etc.
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley, dill, or cilantro
Equipment
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Basting brush
- Mixing bowl
- Kitchen shears for cracking shells
Directions
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Thaw the legs: For best results, thaw frozen snow crab overnight in the fridge. You can also thaw in cold water for 30 minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 375°F. Use a rimmed baking sheet for easy rotation.
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Line pan with foil and coat with nonstick spray. Arrange legs in a single layer.
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Brush with butter or olive oil to prevent drying and add flavor.
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Season the legs with spices, herbs, lemon, garlic, etc. Apply seasonings before baking so flavors can absorb.
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Tightly cover pan with foil. The foil tent helps gently steam the meat.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes until meat is opaque and flakes easily.
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Uncover and check doneness. Meat should slide out of shells with forks.
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Broil 2-3 minutes for extra char if desired. Watch closely to avoid burning.
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Serve immediately with lemon, parsley, and melted butter for dipping. Enjoy!
Delicious Oven-Baked Snow Crab Recipes
Once you’ve mastered the basic oven method, try these tasty snow crab recipes:
Lemon Garlic Snow Crab Legs
Ingredients:
- Snow crab legs
- Melted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1⁄4 cup chopped parsley
Directions:
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Arrange legs on pan and brush with butter.
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Mix garlic, lemon zest & juice, and parsley.
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Brush mixture over each leg.
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Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.
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Garnish with lemon wedges.
Old Bay Baked Snow Crab Legs
Ingredients:
- Snow crab legs
- 1 stick melted butter, divided
- 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
- Lemon wedges
Directions:
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Arrange legs on pan and brush with 2 tbsp melted butter.
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Generously sprinkle legs with Old Bay seasoning.
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Brush legs with remaining 6 tbsp melted butter.
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Seal pan tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.
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Serve legs with lemon wedges.
Spicy Pepper Baked Crab Legs
Ingredients:
- Snow crab legs
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Lime wedges
Directions:
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Arrange legs on pan and brush with olive oil.
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In small bowl, mix spices and lime juice.
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Brush spicy mixture onto each leg.
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Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.
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Garnish with lime wedges.
Tips for Baked Snow Crab Success
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For food safety, thaw frozen crab legs overnight in the fridge rather than at room temperature.
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Check for doneness early to prevent overcooking. Meat should be hot throughout and slide out of shells when fully cooked.
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Add a splash of wine or beer to the pan juices after baking for an extra-flavorful sauce.
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Save excess seasoned melted butter to use for dipping after cooking.
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Bake a lemon half or garlic cloves alongside the crab legs for bonus flavors.
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For easy cleanup, line the entire baking sheet with foil instead of just the center.
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Resist peeking under the foil as this allows heat to escape. Keep it sealed tight.
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Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to cleanly crack shells after baking. Enjoy!
Step 4: Bake the Crab
Once you have the crab legs topped with the lemon, garlic, butter and seasoning, they are ready to go into the oven. Because the crab is already pre-cooked, it doesn’t need long to bake.
Bake at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes, which is the perfect amount of time to reheat the crab.
In just a few minutes, you’ll have the most amazing, sweet and savory crab legs. Perfect for your holiday party or dinner, these crab legs come together with minimal ingredients.
Transfer the crab legs to a large platter with additional lemon wedges, and drawn butter for dipping. Serve immediately.
Step 1: Gather your ingredients
The beauty of this recipe is that you don’t need much to make these sweet, delicious snow crab legs turn out amazing. Here’s my grocery shopping list of the ingredients I picked up at ALDI:
- Sea Queen Snow Crab Legs
- Stonemill Minced Garlic
- Stonemill Lemon Pepper
- Countryside Creamery Sweet Cream Butter
- 2 Lemons
How to Make Snow Crab Legs | Easy Oven Baked Crab Legs Recipe
FAQ
How to do snow crab in the oven?
- Preheat oven to 375 degree F.
- Place crab legs on a parchment lined baking sheet. Try not to overlap them as this may increase baking time.
- Place in the oven, middle rack, for 18-22 minutes.
- Remove and carefully touch to ensure they are hot to the touch.
- Serve immediately with ghee or melted butter.
Is it better to boil or bake snow crab legs?
I use steaming. It is the simplest way to cook the legs and gets the best results. Boiling can water log your crab meat. You don’t want any extra liquid diluting the delicious crab. Broiling is difficult because your crab can get overcooked fairly easily.
How long do crabs take to cook in the oven?
Place crabs in a single layer in a large baking dish with a 1-inch or 2-inch lip, and pour garlic butter mixture over crabs. Bake until crabs are cooked to your liking, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm with hot French bread.
Can you cook snow crab legs in the oven?
Snow crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat that can easily be prepared at home. With just a few simple ingredients and tools you can make restaurant-quality snow crab in your own oven. This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know for cooking snow crab legs in the oven perfectly every time.
How long do you cook frozen snow crab legs?
Cooking time for frozen snow crab legs in the oven typically ranges from 25 to 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for best results. Place the thawed crab legs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. It is also advisable to cover them loosely with foil to retain moisture while they cook.
How do you cook snow crab legs on a grill?
Method: Grilling adds a smoky, charred flavor to your snow crab legs. Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the legs on the grill, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Time: Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. The beauty of snow crab legs lies in their natural sweetness, but a touch of seasoning can elevate their flavor profile:
How do you cook a snow crab in a tin?
In a small bowl mix the melted Butter and Garlic. Brush Garlic Butter over Snow Crab. Sprinkle Old Bay Seasoning over Snow Crab. Carefull seal up the tin foil making sure not to puncture any holes in it with the crab. Place on a baking sheet in case of holes or leaks in the foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Serve with more melted butter for dipping.
How do you cook thawed snow crab?
Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place thawed Snow Crab on a large piece of tin foil (you may need to use 2 sheets of foil), place the clusters next to each other in a single layer. In a small bowl mix the melted Butter and Garlic. Brush Garlic Butter over Snow Crab. Sprinkle Old Bay Seasoning over Snow Crab.
How do you know if snow crab legs are cooked?
The crab legs should be hot throughout, and you can tell they’re done when the meat is steaming and the shells are bright orange. Once cooked, transfer the snow crab legs to a platter with some additional melted butter and lemon wedges on the side. This presentation not only adds flavor but also makes your meal visually appealing.