King crab legs are a delicious treat that can take your meal to the next level. Their sweet, briny flavor and tender meat make them an absolute delight. However, cooking them properly is key to bringing out their best qualities. Overcook them and they become rubbery, undercook them and they are chewy. So how long should you cook king crab legs to achieve crab leg perfection?
Determining Doneness
It’s important to have a way to test when your crab legs are done cooking. Here are some techniques:
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Check for an internal temperature of 140-165°F using a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the crab leg 140°F is ideal for hot crab legs, while 165°F is better for chilled legs
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Try poking the shell with a skewer or knife. It should feel slightly flexible but still resistant. If it’s very easy to pierce, it’s overcooked.
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Press the meat. It should feel firm yet springy. If your finger leaves an indentation, it needs more cooking time.
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Cut into a leg. The meat should be pearly white, opaque, and flaky. Translucent meat means undercooked.
Cook Time Factors
Many factors impact the cook time for crab legs. Consider these when determining how long to boil yours:
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Size – Jumbo legs take longer than smaller legs. Whole crab takes longest.
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Frozen vs Fresh – Frozen legs take a few minutes longer since they start off cold.
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Cooking Method – Boiling, steaming, and baking require different cook times.
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Altitude – Higher altitudes increase cook times due to lower boiling point.
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Personal Preference – Some like them cooked longer for more tender meat.
Recommended Cook Times
Here are some general guidelines for how long to cook king crab legs:
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Boiling Frozen Legs: 7-9 minutes
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Boiling Thawed Legs: 5-7 minutes
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Steaming Frozen Legs: 10-12 minutes
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Steaming Thawed Legs: 8-10 minutes
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Baking Frozen Legs: 15-18 minutes at 375°F
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Baking Thawed Legs: 10-12 minutes at 375°F
For whole frozen crab, add about 5 minutes to the times above. Jumbo legs may take a couple minutes longer as well. Remember to verify doneness rather than relying solely on cook times.
Boiling King Crab Legs
Boiling is a popular cooking method for crab legs. Here are some tips:
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Use a large pot and add enough water to cover the legs. Bring to a rolling boil.
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Only add a small amount of salt, about a tablespoon per quart of water. Too much can make the meat salty.
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Gently lower the legs into the pot. Don’t overcrowd them.
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Put a lid on the pot to return to a boil quickly.
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Set a timer and check for doneness a couple minutes before the recommended time.
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Drain legs and serve immediately for hottest temperature.
Steaming King Crab Legs
Steaming is another excellent way to cook crab legs:
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Place legs in a single layer in a steaming basket or colander.
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Bring water in a pot to a boil. The water should not touch the bottom of the steamer.
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Place steamer in pot, cover, and steam for recommended time.
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Check frequently and remove immediately when done to prevent overcooking.
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Serve crab legs warm with melted butter for dipping.
Baking King Crab Legs
For oven-baked crab legs:
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
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Arrange legs in a single layer and brush with melted butter.
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Bake for 10-15 minutes until meat is opaque. Brush with butter halfway through.
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For added flavor, sprinkle with Old Bay Seasoning or lemon pepper before baking.
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Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
Storing Leftover Crab Legs
Refrigerate any uneaten crab legs in an airtight container. They will keep for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven. The meat can also be removed and used in crab cakes, salad, pasta, or soup.
Master the Perfect Crab Legs
Learning how long to cook king crab legs allows you to serve this decadent shellfish at its finest. Keep these cook times and doneness tests in mind for flawlessly prepared crab every time. Follow proper storage for leftovers. Soon you’ll be an expert at cooking heavenly king crab legs!
How to Bake Red King Crab from Frozen or Thawed
Baking Red King Crab is a great hands-off way to bring your crab meat up to hot without too much work. All you need is a sheetpan and parchment or foil.
1. Preheat oven to 375F. 2. Line a sheet pan or shallow baking pan with parchment or foil. Arrange thawed crab legs in a single layer, cut side down. 3. Bake for 5-8 minutes if thawed, or 18-20 minutes if frozen, until crab legs are heated through. 4. Remove from sheet pan, pat dry and serve.
How to Enjoy Red King Crab Cold
Because red king crab comes fully cooked and pre-split (or cut in half), once defrosted you can simply eat right out of the shell without any cooking or cracking. This method is perfect for a low-effort, high-impact appetizer, or for preparing crab meat for a recipe like an indulgent crab mac & cheese.
1. Defrost according to the packaging, either overnight in the fridge or submerged in a seperate air tight bag in cold water.
2. Once thawed, enjoy cold right out of the fridge with one of these decadent dips. You can serve your crab in the shell or removed from the shell for easier dipping.
How to Prepare King Crab Legs
FAQ
How long do you cook king crab legs for?
King crab legs typically only need to be reheated, as they are usually pre-cooked and flash-frozen.
How do you know if king crab legs are cooked?
How Do You Know When Crab Legs are Done Crab legs are done when their color has changed to a bright orange and they are hot all the way through. If you are unsure you can always crack open one leg to test. If it isn’t hot through then just cook a bit longer.
Is it better to boil or bake crab legs?
Can you overcook king crab legs?
No matter how you decide to warm crab legs, do not overcook or the crab meat will be tough and dry. If you want to serve crab legs as a chilled dish, simply thaw them in the refrigerator and serve.Nov 2, 2023