Dungeness crab is a Pacific Northwest delicacy cherished for its sweet, succulent meat and unique ocean flavor. While most people enjoy Dungeness crab at restaurants cooking the legs at home in your own oven is surprisingly easy and yields incredibly delicious results.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn expert tips and techniques for baking flawless Dungeness crab legs in the oven every time.
Choosing High-Quality Dungeness Crab Legs
The first step is selecting fresh, high-quality crab legs at the store. Here are a few buying tips
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Look for legs labeled specifically as “Dungeness crab.” Other varieties like snow crab have a different taste and texture.
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Choose legs that feel cold, firm, and heavy for their size. This indicates thicker, meatier crab meat.
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Legs should have a fresh, sweet aroma. Avoid any with a strong fishy or ammonia odor.
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When buying fresh, pick legs still chilled on ice, not sitting at room temperature.
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For frozen, ensure there’s no frost or ice crystals, which mean refreezing.
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Opt for legs with thick, intact shells. Cracked shells expose meat, causing drying.
Proper Thawing is Paramount
Always thaw frozen Dungeness crab legs fully before cooking. Here are safe thawing methods:
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Refrigerator: Thaw crab overnight or 24-48 hrs for slow, even thawing.
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Cold Water: Place legs in a sealed bag and thaw in cold water, changing water every 30 mins.
Never thaw crab legs at room temperature, as bacteria can grow rapidly.
Preparing Legs for Oven Baking
Before cooking, properly prepare legs as follows:
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Rinse under cold water to remove any shell fragments. Pat completely dry.
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Carefully cut through the shell on the underside of each leg segment using kitchen shears. Avoid cutting the meat.
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Poke holes at both ends of each shell segment using a knife or skewer. This prevents cracking while baking.
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Brush legs lightly with oil to prevent drying out and promote browning.
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Season with Old Bay, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, lemon, etc. Seasonings stick better to oiled legs.
Baking Plain Dungeness Crab Legs
The simplest oven method is baking the legs plain. Follow these foolproof steps:
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
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Arrange legs on sheet so they aren’t touching.
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Roast 14-18 minutes depending on thickness. Check doneness after 12 minutes.
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Meat should be opaque, flake apart easily, and have a buttery texture when done.
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Serve immediately with melted butter, lemon wedges, and tools for cracking the shells.
Baking with Garlic Lemon Butter
For incredible oven-baked crab, coat the legs with a garlic lemon butter before roasting. The butter keeps the meat moist and infuses tons of flavor.
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Soften 1⁄2 cup butter and mash in 4 minced garlic cloves.
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Mix in 2 tsp lemon zest and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Add salt and pepper.
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Brush mixture over legs generously.
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Roast 14-18 minutes until opaque and flaky.
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Serve with lemon wedges and any leftover garlic butter.
Oven Roasting in Garlic White Wine Sauce
You can also oven roast crab legs in a bath of garlic butter and white wine. The savory broth permeates the meat as it bakes.
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Melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Cook minced garlic 1 minute.
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Pour in white wine and simmer 1 minute.
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Pour garlic sauce over legs in baking dish. Top with lemon slices and parsley.
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Roast 15-20 minutes until opaque and flaky.
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Pour pan drippings over served crab for incredible flavor.
Oven Temperature and Cook Time
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375°F is the ideal roasting temperature. Higher risks overcooking.
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Cook frozen legs 5-8 minutes longer than fresh.
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Thinner legs take 12-15 mins, medium legs 14-18 mins, thick legs 16-22 mins.
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Check smaller legs sooner and remove them when done to prevent overcooking.
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Let crab rest 5 minutes after removing from oven as temperature continues rising.
Handy Tips for Oven Roasting Success
Follow these tips for perfect oven-baked Dungeness crab legs every time:
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Roast legs on their edge so steam escapes and air circulates around the meat.
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Avoid overcrowding. Legs need space between them to roast properly.
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Use a thermometer to check doneness; temp should reach 140-165°F.
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Brush legs with butter or glaze about 5 mins before done for color and flavor.
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Elevate baking sheet on oven rack for ideal heat circulation.
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Rotate pan halfway through for even cooking.
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Let crab rest 5 mins before eating as temperature rises after removing from oven.
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Provide nutcrackers and picks for cracking open legs at the table.
Serving Your Fresh Oven-Baked Dungeness Feast
Once roasted to tender, sweet perfection, it’s time to feast! Serve your oven-baked Dungeness crab with:
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Melted garlic lemon butter for dipping
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Lemon wedges
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Drawn butter
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Cocktail sauce
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Shellfish crackers and picks
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Classic sides like roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw or fresh bread
With this comprehensive guide, you now have the knowledge to consistently bake incredibly delicious dungeness crab legs right in your own oven. Impress your family and friends with this sensational seafood meal.
First, let’s start with the ingredients. You’ll need:
- 1-2 pounds of Dungeness crab legs
- 4-6 cups of water
- 1-2 tablespoons of salt
- 1-2 lemons, sliced
- Butter or dipping sauce, for serving
How to Cook Dungeness Crab Legs
Dungeness crab legs are a delicacy that many people love, but they can be intimidating to cook. Dont worry, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can cook perfect Dungeness crab legs every time. In this post, well go over everything you need to know to cook delicious crab legs that will impress your guests.
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FAQ
How do you cook Dungeness crab in the oven?
Baking: Baking Dungeness crab is a great option if you prefer a different texture. Split the crab in half, clean it, and place it on a baking sheet. Brush it with melted butter or your preferred seasoning, and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes (2).
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 do you cook Dungeness crab legs for?
Whole fresh Dungeness crab is plunged in to boiling (salted) water for 20 minutes or slightly less. Fresh crab legs in similar style take 6 to 10 minutes based on size.