Cooking delicious crab legs at home is easier than you think! With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy tender, succulent crab meat from the comfort of your own kitchen.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of cooking crab legs, from choosing the right type of crab to serving up the final dish. By following these simple instructions, you’ll be able to cook crab legs like a pro and impress your family and friends.
Choosing Your Crab Legs
The first step is selecting high-quality crab legs at the store. There are a few varieties to choose from:
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King crab legs: The largest variety, with thick, meaty legs and a sweet, briny flavor. The most expensive option.
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Snow crab legs: More slender legs with tender, flaky white meat. Milder in flavor but still delicious.
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Dungeness crab legs: From the Pacific Northwest. Smaller legs but lots of tasty meat. Butterier flavor.
No matter which type you choose, look for legs that are vibrant red/orange in color with a firm texture. Avoid any with a yellow tint or a fishy odor. Plan on at least 1⁄2 pound of crab per person.
Thawing Frozen Crab Legs
Most crab legs are sold pre-cooked and frozen. You’ll need to thaw them first before cooking:
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In the fridge: Place legs in a bag and thaw overnight in the fridge.
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Cold water: Submerge legs in cold water, changing water every 30 mins until thawed.
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Microwave Defrost legs on defrost setting, checking often to avoid overcooking.
Thawed crab should smell sweet with no fishy odor
Preparing the Crab Legs
Once thawed prepare your crab legs
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Rinse legs under cold water and pat dry.
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Use kitchen shears to cut each leg at the joint into smaller pieces if desired.
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Remove any visible shell fragments or cartilage.
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Crack the legs lightly before cooking so it’s easier to access the meat after.
Cooking Methods
You can cook crab legs by boiling, steaming, baking or grilling. Each method produces delicious results!
Boiling
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Fill a large pot 3⁄4 with water and add seasoning if desired. Bring to a boil.
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Carefully add legs and return to a boil.
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Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes until opaque and flaky.
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Drain and serve with melted butter.
Steaming
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Add 1-2 inches of water to a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Bring to a boil.
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Place legs in basket, cover and steam for 4-5 mins until opaque.
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Serve with garlic butter or sauce.
Baking
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Place legs on a baking sheet.
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Brush with olive oil or melted butter and season.
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Bake 15-18 mins until meat is opaque and flaky.
Grilling
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Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Oil grates to prevent sticking.
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Place legs directly on grill and close lid. Grill 5-6 mins per side.
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Brush with butter and season just before removing from grill.
Serving Suggestions
Crab legs taste delicious on their own, but here are some tasty ways to serve them:
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Melted or clarified butter for dipping
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Lemon wedges
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Cocktail sauce
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Garlic butter
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Fresh herbs like parsley or dill
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Seasonings like Old Bay, salt, pepper, garlic powder
Cracking and Eating the Legs
Use crackers or a small hammer to crack open the cooked legs. Break shells apart and remove meat in whole pieces when possible. Dip in butter and enjoy!
With this easy, step-by-step guide, you can cook tender, juicy crab legs to perfection right at home. What are you waiting for? Get cracking!
Method 2: Steaming Crab Legs
Method 3: Broiling Crab Legs
How to Cook Crab Legs
FAQ
Is it better to bake or boil crab legs?
Both baking and boiling are viable methods for cooking crab legs, but steaming is often considered the best for retaining moisture and flavor. Baking is a good alternative, especially for already cooked crab legs, as it helps maintain the natural juices.
Do crab legs need to be rinsed before cooking?
Do you clean the crab before cooking? We have tested cleaning the crab before cooking and after cooking. We have found that cooking the crab first and cleaning afterwards to be a lot easier. The body is much easier to clean after it has been cooked. You can absolutely clean them first and then boil.
How do you cook crab legs?
Unlike other resources, this guide to making crab legs offers comprehensive instructions for four distinct cooking methods—oven-baking, oven-broiling, stove-top steaming, stove-top poaching, and grilling—providing flexibility to suit your kitchen setup and taste preferences. Expert Tips for Perfect Results.
How do you cook crab legs in a stockpot?
The most important part of this step is to locate a stockpot large enough to fit your crab legs. Most large stockpots or Dutch ovens can fit about 2 pounds of crab legs without overflowing. Once you’ve found your pot, fill it with cold tap water and add the salt. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil.
How do you cook crab legs in a steamer?
Cooking Method 3 – Steaming Crab Legs: Fill a large pot or Dutch oven with about 1 to 1 ½ inches of water, or just enough water so that the level is below the bottom of the steamer basket. Add the herb sprigs, garlic, celery, shallots, half of lemon, and wine. Cover and bring the water to a boil over high heat.
How do you cook crab legs on a grill?
Grilling brings out delicious smoky flavors: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush crab with olive oil and season simply with salt and pepper. Grill legs for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque. Serve with grilled lemon wedges.
How do you boil crab legs?
As with boiling crab legs, make sure you have a stockpot large enough to fit your crab legs. Place the steamer basket over 1 inch of water. Place the crabs in the steamer basket and bring the water to a boil. When the water has reached a boil, reduce the heat a simmer and cover the stockpot.
Are crab legs easy to make at home?
Crab legs are ridiculously easy to make at home. We’ll show you how to boil, steam, and broil them and we’ll even teach you how to eat them! Enjoying crab legs at home has never been easier, and with three foolproof methods—boiling, steaming, or broiling—you can enjoy tender, succulent crab any time.