How to Cook Steamed Crab Legs in the Oven: A Simple Guide

Crab legs are a delicious seafood treat that many people love. While boiling and steaming are popular cooking methods, baking crab legs in the oven is an easy and convenient way to enjoy tender, juicy steamed crab at home.

With just a few simple steps, you can easily cook steamed crab legs in the oven that rival those made by seasoned chefs at your favorite seafood restaurant. Read on to learn how to make perfectly steamed crab legs in the oven every time.

Benefits of Cooking Crab Legs in the Oven

Here are some of the biggest advantages of steaming crab legs in the oven rather than on the stovetop:

• Even cooking: The hot air circulates evenly around the crab legs, steaming them consistently on all sides. No need to worry about rotating a steamer basket.

• Mess-free: Steaming on the stovetop often results in boil overs and water splatters. Oven steaming neatly contains the steam inside your baking dish.

• Holds temperature Once out of the oven, the baking dish retains heat longer than a steamer basket off the stove Crab legs stay warmer for serving.

• Infuses flavor You can infuse extra flavor by adding seasonings, garlic, citrus or herbs right to the baking dish

• Easy monitoring: The oven light allows you to monitor crab legs without releasing steam and heat.

• Self-contained: Everything cooks in one baking dish, meaning less cooking equipment and easy cleanup.

Step-By-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for perfectly steamed crab legs from your oven:

Ingredients:

• Crab legs, fresh or thawed
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil (optional)
• Desired seasonings

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. This low, gentle heat steams the crab legs slowly so they become tender and juicy.

2. Prepare a shallow baking dish just large enough to fit the crab legs in a single layer. Glass or ceramic baking dishes work well.

3. Pour 1⁄2 inch of water into the baking dish bottom. This will create steam as it heats up.

4. Arrange the crab legs in the dish. Pour any seasonings over them. The water should come 1⁄4 to 1/3 up the sides of the legs.

5. Seal the dish very tightly with aluminum foil, poking 4-5 small slits for steam to escape.

6. Bake 15-20 minutes until the shells turn bright orange-red and the meat is opaque and flaky. Check often to prevent overcooking.

7. Carefully remove the hot dish from the oven using mitts. Be careful of hot steam upon uncovering.

8. Use tongs to transfer the hot crab legs to plates. Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges or desired sauces.

Tips for Best Results

Here are some useful tips for oven-steamed crab leg perfection:

• Mix 1 tbsp butter, oil or Old Bay into the water for extra flavor.

• If using frozen legs, add 5 more minutes to the cook time and seal the foil tightly.

• Check for doneness early and often to prevent overcooked meat. Flaky, opaque meat means they’re done.

• Placing crab legs directly on the oven rack can also work well. Cover tightly with foil as described.

• Keep cooked crab legs warm in a 200°F oven for up to 20 minutes before serving.

• Adjust cook times based on the amount and thickness of crab legs.

• Use a larger baking dish for more legs, adding slightly more water as needed.

Choosing Crab Legs and Serving Suggestions

Types of crab legs: All kinds of crab legs work for oven steaming including king, snow, Dungeness, etc. Adjust cook times accordingly.

Serving ideas: Serve steamed crab legs with melted butter, lemon, cocktail sauce, aioli, herbs or cajun seasonings. Dip in butter or drizzle with olive oil and lemon.

Common Oven Steaming Questions

Should the crab legs be submerged or above the water?

The legs should sit above the water, allowing steam to fully circulate around the meat for even cooking.

Does the baking dish size matter?

Use a dish just large enough to hold the legs in one layer with a little space around each one. Too large disperses the steam instead of circulating it.

Can I add lemon, garlic or other flavorings to the steaming liquid?

Yes, any extra flavors like garlic, citrus, or herbs added to the liquid or sprinkled on the crab legs will impart more flavor.

What kinds of crab legs work best?

All types work well including snow, king, Dungeness, etc. Simply adjust cook times as needed based on size and thickness.

Why is it important to cover the crab legs while steaming?

A tight cover traps the steam so it thoroughly infuses the crab legs. Venting the foil allows excess steam to escape.

How can I tell when the crab legs are fully cooked?

The shells will turn bright orange-red and the meat will become opaque, white and flaky when they are fully cooked and tender.

More Delicious Crab Leg Recipes

Once you’ve mastered the basic oven steaming method, try out some of these tasty crab leg recipes:

• Cajun Steamed Crab Legs – Add Cajun seasoning to the steaming liquid for spicy, bold flavor.

• Steamed Crab Legs with Garlic Butter – Drizzle with melted garlic butter for rich, indulgent flavor.

• Old Bay Steamed Crab Legs – This classic seasoning gives a signature crab flavor.

• Steamed Crab Legs with Dipping Sauces – Serve with multiple dipping sauces for more flavor options.

• Steamed Crab Legs with Lemon and Herbs – Fresh herbs and lemon brighten up the briny crab flavor.

The possibilities are endless when oven steaming crab legs! Be sure to adjust cook times based on the amount and thickness of crab legs for perfect results every time.

With this simple oven steaming method, you can now skip the messy stovetop steaming and enjoy restaurant-worthy crab legs in the convenience of your own oven. Impress guests or treat yourself to tender, juicy crab legs anytime.