King crab legs are a delicious and luxurious seafood treat. With their sweet, succulent meat and impressive size, they make a stunning centerpiece for any special occasion meal. While fresh king crab is a rare find, frozen king crab legs are readily available at many grocery stores. Learning how to properly cook frozen king crab legs will help you enjoy this delicacy at home.
In this detailed guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook frozen king crab legs like a pro including
- What to Look for When Buying Frozen King Crab Legs
- Thawing Frozen King Crab Legs
- Preparing and Seasoning King Crab Legs
- Cooking Methods for Frozen King Crab Legs
- Serving Suggestions for Cooked King Crab Legs
Follow these tips and techniques for tender, juicy, flavorful king crab legs every time!
What to Look for When Buying Frozen King Crab Legs
When purchasing frozen king crab legs, you’ll typically find two varieties available – Alaskan red king crab and Russian king crab. Alaskan king crab is known for its sweeter taste and meatier claws. Russian king crab has longer legs with thinner shells.
Look for legs labeled as “king crab.” Avoid packages with signs of frost or ice crystals, which indicate improper storage. Inspect for broken or cracked shells. When possible, choose legs of a similar size for even cooking. Allow 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound per person.
For best quality, purchase frozen crab legs with at least 6 months left before the stamped expiration date. Keep frozen until ready to thaw and cook.
Thawing Frozen King Crab Legs
Proper thawing is key for cooking juicy, tender crab. Never thaw crab legs on the counter or in hot water, as bacteria can grow rapidly at unsafe temperatures.
The safest method is thawing overnight in the refrigerator. Place legs in a bowl or rimmed dish to catch drips as they thaw over 8-12 hours
For faster thawing, seal legs in a plastic bag and submerge in cold water. Change water every 30 minutes until thawed, about 2 hours Cook immediately after thawing
Preparing and Seasoning King Crab Legs
Once thawed, rinse legs under cold water to remove any ice crystals. Gently scrub with a brush to clean the shells. Pat dry with paper towels.
Use kitchen shears to carefully cut through soft cartilage on the underside. Cut lengthwise through thicker parts of shells to enable easier access to meat during dining.
Season just before cooking. King crab meat is delicately sweet, so light seasoning is ideal. Rub with olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon pepper, or Old Bay seasoning.
Cooking Methods for Frozen King Crab Legs
Baking
Baking is a foolproof cooking method that locks in moisture and flavor. Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange legs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
Brush legs with melted butter or olive oil. Bake 15-18 minutes until shells are bright red and meat is opaque. Check for doneness by poking a fork into meat. When flakes apart easily, it’s ready.
Boiling
For an authentic crab boil, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Carefully add legs and return to a boil. Cook 8-10 minutes until shells turn red. Drain and serve immediately.
Add quartered lemons, garlic, and crab boil seasoning to the poaching liquid for extra flavor.
Steaming
Steaming cooks crab legs gently to retain moisture. Add 1-2 inches of water to a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Bring to a boil then add legs in an even layer.
Steam 8-10 minutes, until shells are bright red. Check meat for opacity. Serve immediately with melted butter for dipping.
Grilling
Grilling imparts a delicious smoky flavor. Preheat grill to medium high. Place legs directly on grill grates and cook 8-10 minutes per side, until lightly charred. Baste frequently with butter or olive oil to prevent drying out.
Serving Suggestions for Cooked King Crab Legs
King crab legs make a beautiful presentation served whole on a platter. Offer crab crackers, small mallets, or lobster picks for cracking open legs.
Provide melted butter, lemon wedges, or spicy cocktail sauce for dipping. For easy access to meat, crack shells before serving. Pair with grilled corn, potatoes, or crusty bread.
Use leftover crab meat in salads, pasta, frittatas, or sandwiches. Refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat gently in simmering butter or stock to prevent drying out.
With proper thawing, preparation, and cooking, frozen king crab legs become a tender and succulent meal fit for a special occasion. Follow these tips for serving restaurant-quality crab legs from the comfort of your own home. Impress your guests with your skills as you crack into these impressive crustaceans.
How to Cook Frozen Crab Legs
Most frozen crab legs are already pre-cooked so they will just need to be heated. When cooking frozen crab legs, we’ve found the best way is to place them in a colander or steamer over rapidly boiling water. There are a few other methods as well though, which well walk you through below.
Did You Know? Fresh king crab has a shelf life of 5-7 days. If properly glazed; however, frozen king crab can last up to 12 months.
Recipe: Boiled King Crab Legs
Boiling is a simple method for cooking king crab. To boil crab legs, simply fill a large saucepan half full of cold water and bring to a boil. Add a tablespoon of salt and the seasoning of your choice, if any. When the water begins to boil add the crab legs and reduce the heat to medium. Allow them to simmer for about six minutes. Take the crab legs out of the water, rinse and plate for eating. Learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect crab boil.
Try out this recipe for Alaskan King Crab Provencal.
Steaming a Frozen Cooked Alaskan King Crab Legs – Today’s Delight
FAQ
What is the best way to cook frozen Alaskan King Crab legs?
Fill a pot with water (enough to cover the crab legs) and add salt (optional). Bring the water to a boil. Add the crab legs to the boiling water. You can break them in half if they don’t fit. Boil for about 5-7 minutes. If they were frozen, you may need to boil them for 8-10 minutes.
Do you need to thaw frozen king crab legs before cooking?
Crab Legs Facts & Tips. You should allow frozen crab legs to thaw in your refrigerator overnight before cooking and/or consuming. The majority of crab cooking processes require a brief re-heat time of 5-10 minutes because our king crab has already been cooked.
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.
Can you boil frozen crab legs without thawing?
Yes, you can boil frozen crab legs without thawing them first. Most frozen crab legs are already pre-cooked, so you’re essentially just reheating them.