How to Reheat Alaskan King Crab Legs to Perfection

Alaskan king crab legs are a delicious seafood treat. Their sweet, succulent meat is perfect for special occasions and fancy dinners. However, reheating leftover crab legs can be tricky. You want to make sure you warm them up properly so they come out tender and juicy, not rubbery.

I’m going to share my top tips for reheating Alaskan king crab legs so none of that scrumptious flavor goes to waste. Whether you have cooked crab legs leftover from a restaurant meal or you steamed fresh ones at home these reheating methods will have them tasting sublime.

Check If the Crab Legs Are Cooked

Before you reheat crab legs, you need to check if they are already cooked Fresh king crab legs bought from the fish market or grocery store will be raw. They’ll need to be cooked before you can reheat them

On the other hand, legs served at a restaurant or bought pre-cooked will be ready to reheat. Precooked legs are bright red and opaque. Raw legs are translucent.

So give your crab legs a quick check. If they look see-through, you’ll need to steam, boil or bake them first.

The Best Ways to Reheat King Crab Legs

If your legs are already cooked, here are the best reheating methods to melt away any chill:

Steam Them

Steaming is a quick and easy way to reheat crab legs to tender perfection. And it only takes 10 minutes!

Fill a large pot with 2 inches of water. Place a steaming basket or colander over top. Make sure it hangs above the water.

Bring the water to a rapid boil. Place crab legs in the steamer basket in a single layer.

Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid. Steam for 8-10 minutes until heated through.

Boil Them

Boiling crab legs brings back all their sweet, succulent flavor. It takes just 5 minutes to reheat them this way.

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Gently lower the crab legs into the water using tongs.

Boil for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway through. The shells will turn bright red when ready.

Drain thoroughly before serving.

Bake Them

Baking crab legs in the oven is a hands-off reheating method. And it leaves the meat remarkably moist.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place crab legs in a baking dish in a single layer.

Add 1/2 inch water to the dish. Cover tightly with foil, tenting it so steam can escape.

Bake 15-20 minutes until heated through. Check for doneness after 15 minutes.

Microwave Them

If you need your crab legs fast, the microwave is your friend. With a few precautions, it reheats them quickly without drying them out.

Place crab legs in a microwave-safe dish in a single layer. Cover with a damp paper towel.

Microwave on high 2-3 minutes until hot. Rearrange and flip legs halfway through.

Let stand 2 minutes before serving.

Handy Tips for Reheating Crab Legs

To get the best results when reheating crab legs, follow these helpful tips:

• Work in small batches. Crowding the crab legs can cause uneven cooking.

• Always use a thermometer to check doneness. Crab meat should reach 145°F.

• Add seasonings like lemon, butter or garlic after reheating so flavors don’t cook off.

• Let crab legs rest for 2-3 minutes after warming. This allows heat to evenly distribute.

• Place a damp paper towel overtop when microwaving. This keeps the meat from drying out.

• Stir gently when boiling or steaming. This helps the crab heat evenly.

Storing Leftover Crab Legs

Want to prep your leftover crab legs for reheating later on? Here are some storage tips:

• Let crab legs cool completely before refrigerating.

• Store in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.

• Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality and flavor.

• Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

• Remove meat from shells and store in an airtight container if keeping longer than 2 days.

Proper storage keeps crab legs fresh and moist for delicious reheating later on.

What If My Legs Are Still Frozen?

Don’t worry if your Alaskan king crab legs are frozen solid. They can be reheated beautifully from frozen.

For boiling and steaming, add a couple extra minutes to the times above. Check frequently for doneness.

For baking, extend the time to 25-30 minutes until the meat reaches 145°F.

Microwave frozen legs in 30 second increments, rearranging each time. This prevents overcooking.

Let cooked crab legs stand a full 5 minutes to allow the insides to fully heat. Enjoy!

Common Reheating Mistakes

It’s easy to overcook crab legs when reheating them. Avoid these common mistakes for tender, juicy meat:

• Microwaving too long resulting in rubbery, dry meat.

• Boiling too vigorous causing crab to lose moisture.

• Steaming or baking too many legs at once leading to uneven cooking.

• Not allowing legs to rest before serving so insides remain cool.

• Adding seasonings before warming leading to diminished flavors.

With a little care, reheated crab legs can taste just as amazing as they did the first time.

Enjoy Those Leftovers!

Now you know exactly how to reheat Alaskan king crab legs to juicy perfection using common kitchen methods. Whether boiling, steaming, baking or microwaving, proper reheating brings out their sweet succulence.

So go ahead and enjoy those leftovers without worry. With these simple tricks, reheated crab legs taste divine. Just be sure not to overcook them. Rest them before serving and seasoning for delicious results.

Follow these tips and that pricey seafood won’t go to waste. Now you can reheat king crab again and again until your freezer stash runs out!

To reheat king crab legs, steaming is the best method to maintain their moisture and flavor. Alternatively, baking or grilling are also effective options.