Oven Baked King Crab Legs
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
15 mins
-
Total Time
25 mins
-
Servings
2 main course servings
-
Calories
704 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
Oven Baked King Crab Legs
Description
Oven Baked King Crab Legs is prepared by placing thawed king crab legs and claws in a baking dish with white wine and lemon slices, covered with foil, and baked at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes until hot. The king crab meat is already cooked, so this step gently reheats it without drying it out. The accompanying garlic butter seafood sauce is made by sautéing grated shallots, garlic, thyme, and lemon zest in butter and wine, then reducing it with chicken broth and lemon juice. Heavy cream is added and brought to a boil before whisking in cold butter pieces to create a smooth, velvety sauce. The crab is served hot with this buttery, tangy sauce enhancing the natural flavor of the crab meat.
The baking method keeps the crab meat tender and juicy and the white wine and lemon in the oven add subtle aromatic steam to the dish. The creamy sauce adds a luxurious layer of flavor with a balance of citrus brightness and fresh herbs. This combination makes it suitable for a special occasion or seafood dinner.
Practical tips include breaking apart large crab legs at the joints to fit them in the baking dish and using tools such as crab crackers and shears to safely open the thick, spiked shells. Wine can be substituted with other liquids like chicken broth or beer to change the infusion flavor. Avoid overcooking to prevent tough, dried-out meat since the crab is pre-cooked.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds king crab legs thawed
- 3 pounds king crab claws thawed
- 1/3 cup white wine dry
- 1 lemon sliced thinly, large
Garlic Butter Seafood Sauce
- 9 tablespoon butter cold and cut into nine equal pieces, unsalted
- ¼ cup white wine
- ½ shallot grated
- 2-3 garlic grated, cloves
- 2 thyme sprigs, fresh
- lemon zest of 1
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup heavy cream
- salt to taste, kosher salt and freshly cracked
- black pepper to taste, kosher salt and freshly cracked
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place the crab legs, white wine, and lemons into your baking dish or a rimmed baking sheet. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place into your preheated oven on the middle rack.
- Bake the crab legs for 15 minutes, or until the king crab shells are hot to the touch.
- Remove from the oven and serve hot with the creamy butter sauce.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In a medium sized saucepan, melt one tablespoon of butter over medium heat with the wine, grated shallots, grated garlic, fresh thyme, and lemon zest. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, it should be very fragrant.
- Whisk in the chicken broth and lemon juice, let the mixture reduce down until there's about 3 tablespoons of liquid remaining.
- Add the cream and turn the heat up to medium-high. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low.
- Whisking constantly, add the rest of the cold butter ONE tablespoon at a time, whisking until each one is incorporated completely before adding the next one.
- Continue adding in all the butter, by the time the last tablespoon is done the sauce should be creamy and coat the back of a spoon.
- Let sit at low heat, stirring occasionally, until ready to serve with the crab legs.
Notes
- Use tools like crab crackers and shears to safely handle the thick, spiked shells of king crab legs.
- Break large crab legs at joints as needed to fit your baking dish and allow even heating.
- Substitute white wine with chicken broth, beer, or citrus juices to vary the flavor infusion during baking.
- Do not overcook the crab legs; they only need to be reheated until shells are hot, preserving tender meat.
- This method gently steams the crab legs with wine and lemon for subtle aromatic enhancement.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2main course servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 704 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 704kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 132g | 264% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Cholesterol | 361mg | 120% |
| Sodium | 7297mg | 304% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
