How to Cook King Crab Legs
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
212 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
How to Cook King Crab Legs
Description
This recipe provides detailed instructions for preparing king crab legs, primarily through baking in a preheated 350°F oven on a lined baking sheet for 25-35 minutes until hot and steamy. The crab legs should be fully thawed beforehand, or if frozen, cooking time should be extended slightly. The method ensures the meat is warmed through without drying out.
The crab legs offer sweet, delicate meat within a tough shell. Serving them with melted butter adds richness and a smooth, savory contrast. Alternative cooking methods described include steaming—bringing water to a boil and steaming for 4-5 minutes (longer if frozen), grilling over medium heat for 5-8 minutes with oil, and smoking, each providing variations in flavor and texture while keeping the crab moist and tender.
This versatile approach allows the cook to choose a preferred method based on equipment and taste preference. After serving, leftover crab meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days and repurposed in crab cakes or dips.
The instructions emphasize careful monitoring during the browning process to avoid overcooking and recommend kitchen shears or crab crackers to extract the meat from the shell.
Ingredients
- 6 king crab legs
- 1/3 cup butter for serving, melted
Instructions
- Be sure crab legs are fully thawed (or if frozen, add a few minutes to the cook time).
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Bake: Place legs (with shell on) on a jelly roll pan or large baking sheet. Put up to 4 legs on a pan. (You may put two pans in the oven but you may have to increase the cooking time). Bake for 25-35 minutes depending on the size. Check them at 25 minutes--they should be hot/warmed though, a little steamy.
- Serve: Use kitchen shears or crab crackers to open the shells and remove the meat. Serve dipped in melted butter.
- Store leftover crab meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or use leftover crab to make crab cakes or crab dip.
Notes
- King crab legs may be baked, steamed, grilled, or smoked to warm through without drying.
- Fully thaw crab legs before cooking or add cooking time if frozen.
- Store leftover crab meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use leftover meat in dishes such as crab cakes or crab dip.
- To steam, bring water to boil with steamer basket, cover and cook 4–5 minutes (7–10 if frozen).
- For grilling, brush legs with oil and cook over medium heat 5–8 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 212 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 212kcal | 11% |
| Protein | 46g | 92% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 106mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 2107mg | 88% |
| Potassium | 514mg | 11% |
| Vitamin A | 60IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 116mg | 12% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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