King crab legs are a delicious treat that can elevate any meal to a luxurious dining experience. Their sweet, succulent meat is packed with flavor and incredibly tender when cooked properly. However, cooking frozen king crab legs requires care and precision to achieve ideal results. Undercook them and the meat can be gummy and hard to extract. Overcook them and the meat becomes rubbery and dry.
So how do you unlock the full potential of frozen king crab legs and get tender, moist meat by cooking them in the oven? We’re here to walk you through the entire process step-by-step.
Why Purchase Frozen?
Nearly all king crab legs sold in stores are already cooked and then flash frozen on the fishing boats This locks in freshness and flavor King crab legs need to be cooked soon after catching to prevent spoilage. Freezing pre-cooked legs is the best way to preserve the amazing sweet taste and ship it to markets.
So when you buy frozen king crab legs at the grocery store, they are already fully cooked – you just need to thaw and gently reheat them. This makes preparing them so much easier!
Thawing is Key
You have two options when it comes to thawing frozen crab legs: thaw first or cook from frozen.
To thaw before cooking, place the legs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or large plate. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 5 hours.
You can also thaw the crab legs under cold running water for 30 minutes, changing the water halfway through.
Never thaw crab legs at room temperature, as bacteria could start growing rapidly.
If you forget to thaw or prefer to skip this step, no problem! You can cook the legs directly from frozen. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Oven Cooking Methods
The oven allows you to cook frozen king crab legs to tender perfection. The dry ambient heat gently steams the meat inside while forming a crispy exterior shell. Here are two easy oven cooking methods:
Baking
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment. Arrange crab legs in a single layer and add a couple tablespoons of water to the sheet. Tightly cover with foil.
Bake thawed legs 8-10 minutes, or frozen legs 12-15 minutes. Check frequently for doneness.
Broiling
Preheat broiler on high. Place crab legs on a broiler pan and broil thawed legs 3-4 minutes per side, or 5-6 minutes per side for frozen. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Checking Doneness
It can be hard to tell when crab legs are cooked through since they are already cooked when frozen. Here are a few ways to check for doneness:
- Shells turn bright red-orange
- Meat is opaque and white, not transparent
- Legs are hot to the touch
- Meat pulls cleanly from the shell
When in doubt, cut into a leg and check the center – it should be hot and opaque, not cold or translucent. Undercooked crab will be gummy and chewy. Overcooked meat dries out.
Serving Suggestions
King crab legs should be served immediately for ideal texture and flavor. Offer crab crackers and picks for easy meat extraction. Provide small plates for discarded shells.
Delicious accompaniments include:
- Melted butter
- Lemon wedges
- Cocktail sauce
- Garlic aioli
- Clarified butter
King crab also pairs well with fresh herbs, roasted garlic, grilled lemons, and seafood seasoning.
For sides, try steamed rice, roasted potatoes, garlicky green beans, or a fresh salad. A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect pairing.
Storing Leftovers
Cooked king crab meat keeps 3-4 days in the fridge. Pick any remaining meat and store in an airtight container.
To reheat, place in a steamer basket for 2-3 minutes until heated through. You can also gently toss it with warm melted butter.
Use leftover crab meat in casseroles, salads, seafood pasta, or delicious crab cakes. It’s fantastic added to corn chowders and bisques too.
Handy Tips
- Always cook from fully frozen or fully thawed legs for even cooking.
- Arrange in a single layer so steam distributes evenly.
- Resist overcooking. Crab meat becomes rubbery if cooked too long.
- Brush legs with oil or butter before broiling to prevent sticking.
- Crack shells before serving for easy access to meat.
- Add any seasonings after cooking to avoid bitterness.
- Use tongs and mitts to handle hot crab legs safely.
- Check thickness and adjust cooking time as needed.
- Poke a small hole in underside of shells to allow steam in.
Get Cracking!
Cooking frozen king crab legs in the oven is easy once you know how. Proper thawing, a gentle cooking method, and frequent checks for doneness ensures succulent, tender meat every time. Prep your legs as desired and get ready to enjoy this sweet, luxurious seafood treat. Just follow our guidelines for perfect crab legs straight from your oven. Get cracking on those crab legs tonight!
How to Cook Frozen King Crab Legs
Are you craving a seafood feast but only have frozen king crab legs on hand? Dont worry! Cooking frozen king crab legs is easier than you think. Heres how:
Step 1: Thaw the Crab Legs
Before cooking frozen king crab legs, you must first thaw them. You can thaw crab legs in two ways: in the refrigerator or by placing them in cold water.
To thaw crab legs in the refrigerator, simply place them in a container and leave them to thaw overnight. This method ensures that the crab legs thaw slowly and safely.
If youre short on time, you can also thaw crab legs by placing them in a large bowl of cold water. Make sure to change the water every 30 minutes until the crab legs are completely thawed.
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FAQ
How long to cook king crab legs from frozen in the oven?
Lay crab legs flat, in a single layer, on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven, ideally on the middle rack. For thawed crab, bake for 15-20 minutes. For frozen crab, bake for 20-25 minutes.
How do you cook frozen king crab legs without thawing?
When cooking frozen crab legs, we recommend that you place them in a colander or steamer over rapidly boiling water. The pot should be about one-third of the way filled with water. You will need to cover the pot and steam your frozen crab legs for about ten minutes or until they are completely heated.
Do you need to thaw frozen crab legs before cooking?
Is it better to boil or bake king crab legs?
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.