How To Cook Crab Legs (3 Ways!)
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5
How To Cook Crab Legs (3 Ways!)
Description
Cooking crab legs can be done by boiling, steaming, or baking, each bringing out the sweetness and tenderness of the crab meat. Boiling involves submerging the crab legs in salted water, simmering until heated through. Steaming uses a basket over boiling water to gently cook the legs. Baking places crab legs on a rimmed sheet and cooks them in the oven to bring out a slightly roasted flavor.
Once cooked, the legs are cracked open to access the meat, which is dipped in a melted butter sauce infused with minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt. This sauce enhances the crab’s flavor with richness and a touch of acidity.
The recipe mentions that if crab legs are frozen, adding extra cooking time ensures thorough warming. These methods help impart versatile preparation options depending on available equipment and desired textures.
Ingredients
- 4 snow crab legs thawed, or Dungeness crab legs, or 6 individual king crab legs, clusters
Crab Dipping Sauce
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Boiling Crab Legs: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Place the crab legs in the pot, gently bending at the joints if needed, to make sure they're completely submerged in the water. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, or until heated through.
- Steaming Crab Legs: Fill a large pot with an inch of water, and place a steamer basket on top. Bring the water to a boil. Place the crab legs in the basket, and steam for 8 to 10 minutes, or until heated through.
- Baking Crab Legs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes (depending on size), or until heated through.
- Crack the legs open. Once the crab legs are cooked, use crab crackers or kitchen shears to open them up. Dip the crab meat in the garlic butter sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- If crab legs are still frozen, add more cooking time to each method to ensure they are heated through.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 83 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 83kcal | 4% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 42mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 830mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 202mg | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 24IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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