How to Cook Frozen Crab Legs Without a Steamer

Crab legs are a delicious treat that many people love to indulge in. However, you may find yourself wanting to cook up some frozen crab legs only to realize you don’t have a steamer on hand. No worries! There are several clever ways to cook frozen crab legs without using a steamer. In this article, I’ll walk you through 4 simple methods so you can enjoy tender, juicy crab legs anytime.

Why Steam Crab Legs in the First Place?

Steaming is a popular cooking method for crab legs because it evenly cooks the meat while keeping it incredibly moist and tender. The hot steam penetrates the hard outer shell and heats the meat from the inside out. This results in perfectly cooked crab that is hot and ready to crack open.

So while a steamer basket is ideal, it’s definitely not required equipment for enjoying crab legs in your home. With a few handy tools and tricks, you can mimic steaming right on your stovetop or in the oven. Let’s go over some of the best techniques for cooking frozen crab legs without a steamer.

Method 1: Boiling

One of the easiest ways to cook frozen crab legs without a steamer is by boiling them. All you need is a large pot, water, and seasonings.

Fill a pot with enough water to submerge the crab legs and bring it to a boil over high heat. For added flavor, you can add spices like Old Bay seasoning, lemon slices, garlic, or bay leaves.

Once the water is at a rolling boil, use tongs to carefully lower the frozen crab legs into the pot Let them boil for 5-8 minutes until heated through Depending on their size, larger crab legs may take a minute or two longer.

Remove the crab legs from the water and drain briefly Serve them hot with some melted butter for dipping!

Method 2: Oven Steaming

Your oven can also double as a steamer when cooking frozen crab legs The moist heat environment mimics a steamer basket

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the frozen crab legs in a baking dish and add about 1/4 inch of water to the bottom. Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to broil, and broil the crab legs for 2-3 minutes to make them extra hot and slightly crispy.

Method 3: Stovetop Steaming

All you need for this method is a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. Add 1-2 inches of water to the pot and bring it to a boil.

Place a heat-safe bowl or colander in the pot forming a double boiler. Make sure the bottom of the bowl/colander sits above the water line.

Add the frozen crab legs to the bowl, then cover the pot with the lid. The crab will steam from the rising heat for 7-10 minutes until cooked through.

Method 4: Microwave Steaming

For a quick fix, you can actually steam crab legs in the microwave. This isn’t ideal for large batches, but works great if you only need to cook a few crab legs.

Place the frozen crab legs in a microwave-safe dish and add a couple tablespoons of water. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap.

Microwave on high power for 2-3 minutes until heated through, checking often. The plastic wrap traps the steam to perfectly cook the crab legs.

Let them rest for 2-3 minutes before removing the plastic wrap. Serve with melted butter and enjoy!

Tips for Cooking Frozen Crab Legs

• Always thaw frozen crab legs before cooking. Run them under cold water or let them thaw gradually in the fridge overnight. Cooked from frozen, they may split open.

• Look for legs that are bright white or red and translucent. Avoid any with yellowing or dark spots.

• Handle cooked crab legs gently. The meat can easily fall apart if disturbed too much.

• Check for doneness by looking for an opaque, pearly white color throughout the meat. It should be hot throughout when fully cooked.

• Crack crab legs before eating. Use a mallet, knife, or your hands. Just don’t shatter the shell completely.

• Eat crab legs soon after cooking for the best flavor and texture. The meat can dry out once the shells are cracked open.

Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Crab Legs at Home

With these handy methods for cooking crab legs without a steamer, you can enjoy tender, perfectly cooked crab any night of the week. Boiling, oven steaming, and stovetop steaming are all easy yet effective ways to mimic the moist heat of a steamer basket.

So next time you get a craving for crab legs, don’t let the lack of a steamer stop you. Put one of these techniques to the test and you’ll be cracking open juicy, restaurant-worthy crab legs in no time. Dip them in melted butter or cocktail sauce for absolute perfection.

The best way to cook frozen crab legs is by steaming or baking them, as boiling can make the meat watery. If steaming, place the crab legs in a steamer basket over boiling water for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.