how long does it take to boil king crab legs

How Long Does It Take to Boil King Crab Legs to Perfection?

King crab legs are a delicacy enjoyed around the world for their sweet, succulent meat and impressive size. But getting the boiling time just right for these giant crustacean legs can be tricky. Undercook them and you’ll end up with chewy, rubbery crab meat. Boil them too long and the meat can become dry and stringy. So how long should you boil king crab legs to achieve tender, juicy results? Let’s break it down.

What is the Best Way to Cook King Crab Legs?

Boiling is the most common cooking method for crab legs. It’s simple, quick, and helps season the meat while cooking. Other options like steaming, grilling, or baking work as well, but require a bit more time and effort.

Boiling also allows you to cook the crab legs right in the pot with the other ingredients, infusing more flavor. Plus, you can use the resulting broth for dipping the crab meat after it’s shelled.

How Long to Boil King Crab Legs

The exact boiling time can vary based on a few factors:

Size of the legs – King crab legs can range from 5 inches up to 9 inches long. The larger the legs, the longer they will need to boil.

Frozen vs. fresh – Frozen crab legs should be boiled a bit longer than fresh since they take longer to thaw.

Altitude – Food cooks faster at higher altitudes, so you may need to decrease boiling time if at a high elevation.

But in most cases, king crab legs take 7-10 minutes to boil properly. Use these general guidelines for timing:

• Smaller legs (5-7 inches): 7-8 minutes
• Medium legs (7-8 inches): 8-9 minutes
• Larger legs (over 8 inches): 9-10 minutes

For best results, I recommend boiling in batches of similar sized legs so you can remove smaller ones as they finish cooking before the bigger legs get overdone.

How to Tell When King Crab Legs are Done Boiling

It can be tricky to tell when the opaque, hard-shelled legs are cooked through. Here are a few doneness tests to try:

Temperature – Use an instant read thermometer to check the thickest part of the meat. It should reach an internal temperature of 140°F.

Color – The shells will turn bright red when fully cooked. Check for uniform color.

Texture – Try twisting a leg slightly. It should feel loose in the shell if thoroughly cooked.

Pull test – Gently pull on a small piece of shell. It should pop off easily when done.

Poking test – Poke a hole in the shell and check that the meat pulls away cleanly without sticking.

It’s easy to over or undercook the first batch as you figure out timing. But the good news is the crab meat reheats well, so you can simmer any underdone legs for 1-2 minutes more after taking cooked ones out of the pot.

Tips for the Best Boiled King Crab Legs

Chill the legs for 20-30 minutes before boiling for easier shelling. The shells separate more cleanly from chilled meat.

Use tongs or a slotted spoon to carefully lower legs into the boiling water to prevent splashing.

Resist the urge to crowd too many legs in the pot, which can lower the temperature and result in uneven cooking.

Crack shells prior to boiling so seasoning can penetrate better. Leave some sections unopened if you want presentation.

Check for doneness often once boiling time is up to avoid overcooking.

Serve with clarified butter, not melted, for the richest flavor to dip the meat.

Provide small hammers, crab crackers and picks for easy shelling at the table.

How to Boil Alaskan King Crab Legs

How long does it take to boil crab legs?

This Boiled Crab Legs recipe allows you to serve up a delicious seafood dinner in just 15 minutes. Fill large stockpot or Dutch oven half full with water; add seafood seasoning and salt. Heat to boiling. Add crab legs. Cook 3 to 5 minutes or just until heated. Remove with tongs to serving platter. Serve warm with melted butter.

How do you cook king crab legs?

Option 1: Boiled crab legs. Fill a large stockpot 3/4 of the way full with water, and add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the crab legs, bending the king crab legs as needed to submerge as much of the leg as possible in the water. Depending on the size of your pot, you may need to cook the legs in 2 batches.

Option 2: Steamed crab legs. Place a steamer basket in a large pot and add 1 inch of water to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Place crab legs in the basket, cover, and steam for 5 minutes. Check for doneness, steaming 1-2 minutes more if needed.

Option 3: Baked crab legs. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place crab legs on a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and season with Old Bay seasoning. Bake 10-15 minutes until heated through.

No matter which cooking method you choose, king crab legs cooked properly are sweet, tender and delicious!

How much time does it take to boil frozen king crab legs?

If using frozen king crab legs, they will take a little longer to boil than fresh legs since they need time to thaw. For frozen legs, boil about 1-2 minutes longer than the recommended time for fresh. It’s best to boil frozen legs in smaller batches to prevent overcooking some while others are still thawing. Test doneness by touching shells – they should feel hot to the touch when done boiling. And remember, you can always simmer legs another minute or two if they seem underdone after the first boil. With some trial and error, you’ll get the perfect boil for frozen king crab legs.

What are some tips for boiling king crab legs?

Here are some top tips for delicious boiled king crab legs every time:

• Thaw frozen legs overnight in the fridge before boiling
• Use a large stock pot and boil in batches to prevent crowding
• Season the boiling water with Old Bay or seafood seasoning
• Resist the urge to peek – keep the lid on for best results
• Cook legs just until heated through – don’t over boil
• Use tongs and gloves to carefully remove legs from water
• Serve with melted butter and lemon wedges for dipping

Follow these simple steps, and you will be a king crab leg boiling pro in no time! The sweet, succulent meat is so worth the minimal effort.

What are the best side dishes to serve with boiled king crab legs?

King crab legs are the star of the show, so sides should complement without overpowering. Here are some favorites:

• Drawn butter – essential for dunking the crab meat
• Lemon wedges – a bright pop of acidity
• Baked potatoes – starchy, hearty, and delicious
• Corn on the cob – sweet andbuttery
• Coleslaw – fresh crunch and tang
• Asparagus – elegant and easy to cook
• Garlic bread – soaks up all that crab juice
• Rice pilaf – goes with just about anything

A salad with a light vinaigrette is also a great option. Avoid heavy cream or cheese-based sides, as they will be too rich with the crab. Focus on bright, fresh flavors and you can’t go wrong!

How is king crab different from snow crab legs?

While they are both delicious crab varieties, there are a few key differences between king crab and snow crab:

• Size – King crab legs are much thicker and larger than snow crab legs.

• Color – King crab shells are a deep red color, while snow crab is more of an orangish-pink.

• Taste – King crab has a sweeter, more delicate flavor compared to the brinier taste of snow crab.

• Texture – King crab meat is slightly more tender and moist. Snow crab has a firm, shred-like texture.

• Price – Due to limited supply, king crab costs more than snow crab.

• Origin – King crab is found in northern Pacific waters near Alaska, while snow crab live in the Atlantic off Canada.

While you can use them interchangeably in recipes, king crab is truly royalty when it comes to taste and texture. Treat yourself if you can splurge for these mammoth, succulent legs.

To boil king crab legs, bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add the crab legs, ensuring they are submerged. Boil for about 5-7 minutes if thawed, or 10 minutes if frozen, or until heated through.

To know when your crab is done boiling, you’re looking for a bright red or orange color and for the crab to float. Once the water returns to a boil after adding the crabs, they typically need to boil for another 10-15 minutes, depending on the size.