How to Cook Crab Legs

Name: How to Cook Crab Legs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 6 people
Ingredients: 6 pounds crab legs; 3 teaspoons paprika; 1 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 1/2 teaspoons oregano; 1 1/2 teaspoon chives; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 Tablespoons olive oil; 2 Tablespoons butter; 1 Tablespoon peppercorns; 1 Tablespoon salt; 1-2 lemon; 1-2 cloves garlic; cooking spray; 2 Tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 cup butter; 1 clove garlic; 1/2 teaspoon Cajun spice; 1 teaspoon parsley; 1 lemon

User Reviews

5

8 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Servings
6 people
Calories
406 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

How to Cook Crab Legs

Quade Maldonado

Report

This is our most comprehensive post on how to cook crab legs. We're showing four different ways to tasty, succulent and delicious crab legs. Baked, Air Fryer, Grilled and Steamed Crab legs. We're also showing you how to cook frozen crab legs, so whichever way, you'll end up with a delicious seafood meal! Video and details below!

Share:

I Made This!

1 person made this

Print

135 people printed this

Save this

3 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

Crab Legs

6 pounds crab legs defrosted

Cajun Spice Blend

3 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 1/2 teaspoons oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon chives or mixed herbs
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

To Bake:

2 Tablespoons olive oil

To Steam:

2 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon peppercorns
1 Tablespoon salt
1-2 lemon slices
1-2 cloves garlic smashed

To Air Fry

cooking spray

To Grill

2 Tablespoons olive oil

Garlic Butter

1/2 cup butter melted, salted
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon Cajun spice
1 teaspoon parsley minced, fresh
1 lemon zested

Add Ingredients to Grocery List

Recommended Tools for this Recipe

Notes

Use fresh when possible, otherwise frozen crab legs work just as well.
Make sure you pick crab legs that have no ice crystals and those that haven't traveled a long distance.
Defrost the crab overnight in the fridge before using.
Whether you're steaming, grilling, baking or air frying the crab, you'll need a simple seasoning.
You can use store-bought old bay or cajun seasoning, or make your own (recipe below).
A drizzle of oil or spray helps the seasoning stick to the crabs.
Keep an eye on the crab legs as they usually cook right away.
Use a crab cracker to crack open the shells and enjoy the meat.
Flavor the dipping butter or use salted melted butter is you're rushed.
Use an instant pot steamer or any steamer basket for steaming.
If air frying, select an air fryer with a large basket.
We line our baking sheets for easy cleanup, however you don't have to.
Leftovers are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Similar to the Lobster Roll, you can make rolls with crab. Or a crab bisque using our Lobster Bisque recipe. Toss them in salads, pastas, rice dishes, they're just GREAT!
Ok so this is impartial ad fully depends on your taste. We find the grilled method offers that beautiful char and grll flavor which is so refreshing! The air fryer is super convenient and fuss free. Baking the crab is sort of like the oven does all the work. And finally steaming has a depth of flavor as we really flavor the steaming water. So that's a TOUGH question!
There's substantially little meat in the crab, and while the shell looks hard, it cooks easily. So crab doesn't need much time to cook in general. The meat will be very opaque when cooked and the shells will change color.