King crab legs are a luxurious treat that many seafood lovers crave. With sweet, succulent meat and huge portions they make an indulgent meal. However, cooking frozen king crab legs can be tricky. Undercook them and the meat stays gummy and chewy. Cook them too long and they become unpleasantly rubbery.
So how long do you need to cook frozen king crab legs to achieve tender, moist results every time? This comprehensive guide provides timing for various cooking methods, tips for determining doneness, and storing leftovers so you can enjoy delicious king crab legs at home.
Why Are King Crab Legs Sold Frozen?
Nearly all king crab legs on the market are pre-cooked on the fishing boats and then flash frozen to lock in freshness. Immediate cooking and freezing keeps the sweet flavor intact. This process allows the delicious taste of just-caught crab to reach consumers, even those far from the coast.
Buying frozen pre-cooked king crab legs makes preparing them much easier. You simply need to thaw and gently reheat them at home.
Thawing Frozen King Crab Legs
You have two options when it comes to thawing frozen crab legs:
- Thaw completely before cooking
- Cook straight from frozen
To thaw, place legs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. You can also submerge them in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed, about 1 hour total.
Avoid thawing crab legs at room temperature, as bacteria could start growing.
If you forget to thaw or prefer to skip this step, you can cook frozen legs with excellent results. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
How Long to Cook Frozen King Crab Legs by Method
Boiling
Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Carefully add frozen crab legs and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for:
- 7-8 minutes for thawed legs
- 9-11 minutes for frozen legs
Drain and serve immediately with melted butter.
Steaming
Fill a pot with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Place legs in a steamer basket suspended over, but not touching, the water. Cover and steam for:
- 4-5 minutes for thawed legs
- 7-8 minutes for frozen legs
Check for doneness and continue steaming if needed. Serve right away.
Baking
Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange thawed legs on a baking sheet and add a couple tablespoons of water. Cover tightly with foil and bake:
- 8-10 minutes for thawed legs
- 12-15 minutes for frozen legs
Check frequently for doneness. Serve immediately.
Grilling
Heat grill to medium-high. Brush thawed legs with oil and grill:
- 4-5 minutes per side for thawed
- 7-8 minutes per side for frozen
Watch closely to prevent burning.
Air Frying
Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Air fry thawed legs for 8-10 minutes, gently flipping halfway. Frozen legs take 10-12 minutes. Check for doneness.
How to Tell When Crab Legs Are Done
It can be difficult to determine if pre-cooked frozen crab legs are fully heated through. Here are some signs they are ready:
- Shells turn bright red-orange
- Meat is opaque and white, not translucent
- Legs feel hot to the touch
- Meat pulls cleanly from the shell
When unsure, pierce a leg to check the center – meat should be hot and opaque, with no cold spots.
Undercooked crab will be gummy and chewy. Overcooked meat becomes dry and brittle.
Serving Suggestions
For best flavor and texture, serve king crab legs immediately after cooking. Offer crab crackers and picks for easy meat removal. Provide small plates for discarded shells.
Delicious dipping sauces include:
- Melted butter
- Clarified butter
- Lemon garlic aioli
- Cocktail sauce
Fresh herbs, grilled lemons, roasted garlic, and seafood seasoning also pair well.
Storing Leftovers
Cooked king crab meat keeps 3-4 days refrigerated. Pick remaining meat and store in an airtight container.
To reheat, gently warm in melted butter or broth until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
Use leftover crab meat in casseroles, salad, pasta, or crab cakes. Add to chowders and bisques too.
Tips for Perfect Results
- Cook from fully frozen or fully thawed legs for even cooking.
- Arrange in a single layer so steam distributes evenly.
- Resist overcooking, which makes meat rubbery.
- Brush with oil before grilling or broiling to prevent sticking.
- Add seasonings after cooking, as spices get bitter when boiled or steamed.
- Check thickness; larger legs may need more time.
- Pierce underside shell cavity to allow steam inside.
- Use tongs and mitts to prevent burns from hot crab.
With the proper thawing, cooking times, and doneness checks, you can achieve tender, juicy king crab legs at home. Now get ready to enjoy this luxurious seafood delicacy!
Recipe: Baked King Crab Legs
Baking king crab legs is the preferred cooking method for those who want to capture the flavor of herbs and lemon in the cooking process. To bake crab legs, preheat oven to 350° degrees. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking pan in single layers. Place hot water in the pan, about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for eight to ten minutes.
If you’ve been missing out on king crab legs because you thought they were too complicated to prepare, get ready to start considering them as part of your regular diet!
Try out the above Alaskan King Crab recipes for yourself. Orders that are $300+ receive FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING!
Fresh king crab has a shelf life of 5-7 days. If properly glazed, however, frozen king crab legs can last up to 12 months.
No. You dont need to thaw them. Most frozen crab legs are already pre-cooked so they will just need to be heated. When cooking frozen crab legs, weve found the best way is to place them in a colander or steamer over rapidly boiling water.
Steaming is one of the best options for cooking king crab legs. Simply place two cups of water and a tablespoon of salt in a pot and bring it to a boil. The pot should be about one-third of the way filled with water. Place the crab legs in the pot on a rack or colander over the boiling water. Cover with a lid and cook for six to ten minutes or until the crab is completely heated. When they begin to omit a “cooked odor,” they should be ready to eat. Serve with garlic butter, lemon wedges, and enjoy! Or check out these king crab dipping sauces.
Grilling is a fun way to cook king crab legs if its warm out and youre planning youre planning to eat outside. To grill king crab legs you need to brush olive oil on all sides of the crab legs to prevent them from sticking. Then place the crab legs on a hot grill of 300° degrees for about five minutes, turn over, and cook for another five minutes until they are heated all the way through. Remove from the grill and serve with butter or sauce.
Baking king crab legs is the preferred cooking method for those who want to capture the flavor of herbs and lemon in the cooking process. To bake crab legs, preheat oven to 350° degrees. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking pan in single layers. Place hot water in the pan, about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for eight to ten minutes. Want the latest on recipes, deals and new releases? Sign up here!
- 3 lbs (1.5-2 Servings)
- 4 lbs (2-3.5 Servings)
- 6 lbs (3-5 Servings)
- 10 lbs (5-8 Servings)
- 3 lbs (1.5-2 Servings)
- 4 lbs (2-3.5 Servings)
- 6 lbs (3-5 Servings)
- 10 lbs (5-8 Servings)
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.
How to Prepare King Crab Legs
FAQ
How long do I cook frozen king crab legs?
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 tell if frozen king crab legs are cooked?
How do I know when my crab legs are done? To determine if crab legs are properly heated, check for a hot interior and look for tender, opaque, and slightly flaky meat, indicating they are warmed through without being overcooked.
How to heat fully cooked frozen king crab legs?
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.
Can you cook frozen crab legs without thawing?
Steaming is one of the best ways to cook frozen snow crab legs without thawing. Follow these steps to achieve perfect tenderness and preserve the delicate flavors: Place a steamer basket in a large pot and fill it with water just below the basket.Jun 4, 2023
Can you cook frozen king crab legs?
King crab legs are a delicious and luxurious seafood treat. Their sweet, succulent meat is packed with flavor and incredibly tender when cooked properly However, cooking frozen king crab legs can be a bit tricky If you undercook them, the meat can be gummy and hard to extract. Overcook them and the meat becomes rubbery and dry.
How long to cook king crab legs?
Boiling: Bring the cooking liquid to a rolling boil. Carefully place the thawed king crab legs into the pot, ensuring they are fully submerged. 4. Cooking time: Boil the crab legs for approximately 6-8 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness and size of the crab legs. 5.
Are Alaskan king crab legs frozen?
Alaskan king crab legs make the most luxurious dinner party entree for two and if you buy them at the grocery store, these giant clusters of crab legs are most often sold frozen. Wondering how to cook frozen king crab legs? So glad you asked. I have the easiest way to create a restaurant-quality seafood dinner for you.
How long do you cook frozen crab legs?
Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Carefully add frozen crab legs and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 7-8 minutes for thawed legs, or 9-11 minutes for frozen. Drain crab legs and serve immediately with butter and lemon.
How do you cook thawed king crab legs?
Add about a cup of water or stock to the bottom of the pot, fill the steam basket with crab legs and bring the liquid to a boil. Cover and cook your thawed crab legs for 6-7 minutes. Serve with lemon butter sauce! What is the best way to get the meat out of king crab legs? For king crab legs, I’m all about the kitchen shears.
Can You reheat frozen crab legs?
For crab legs that are too frozen to bend, place them in a bowl of cold water for up to 30 minutes or place them in the microwave and set them on defrost. Frozen crab legs from the grocery store are typically pre-cooked, so you’re essentially reheating the crab legs. Be careful not to overcook them.