5.0 from 96 votes
How to Cook Crab Legs
Crab legs are ridiculously easy to make at home. We'll show you how to boil, steam, and broil them and we'll even teach you how to eat them!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
12 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 476 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 clusters snow crab legs about 1 pound
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 medium lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
How to Boil Crab Legs
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Season the water with 1 tablespoon of salt, if desired. Submerge crab legs into the boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from water and serve with melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges for squeezing over meat.
Cup of Yum
How to Steam Crab Legs
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place a steamer basket over the boiling water. Place crab legs in steamer basket. Put lid on to cover and steam 5-7 minutes. Remove and serve with melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges for squeezing over meat.
How to Broil Crab Legs in the Oven
- Preheat your oven on the broiler setting. Place crab legs on a baking sheet. Brush legs with melted butter or olive oil, if desired. Place tray 6 to 8 inches beneath the broiler and broil 3 to 4 minutes per side flipping halfway through. Serve hot with melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges for squeezing over meat.
Notes
- Tools: Use seafood crackers or kitchen shears for the shells and a small fork or pick to extract the meat.
- How to Crack: Twist the legs at the joints to break them into sections, then crack the shell with a cracker or snip it with shears.
- Don’t Miss the Knuckles: Dig into the joints for extra meat.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cluster
Calories
476kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
12g
(24%)
Fat
47g
(72%)
Saturated Fat
29g
(145%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Trans Fat
2g
Cholesterol
146mg
(49%)
Sodium
841mg
(35%)
Potassium
217mg
(6%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
1496IU
(30%)
Vitamin C
33mg
(37%)
Calcium
74mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 476
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cluster | |
| Calories | 476kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 47g | 72% |
| Saturated Fat | 29g | 145% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 2g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 146mg | 49% |
| Sodium | 841mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 217mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1496IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 33mg | 37% |
| Calcium | 74mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.