Steaming Thawed Crab Legs: How Long Is Too Long?

Steaming is a great way to cook crab legs, and it's easier than you might think. It's the preferred method for cooking pre-cooked crab legs, as it helps to preserve the sweet taste and tender texture of the meat. If you're steaming thawed, cooked crab legs, the process is simple: fill a pot with an inch or two of water, add a steamer basket, bring the water to a boil, and then place the crab legs in the basket. Cover the pot and let the legs steam for four to ten minutes, or until heated through. You'll know they're done when you can smell them, and the meat should be hot all the way through with a reddish-pink, juicy appearance.

Steaming crab legs from frozen

Steaming crab legs is a great way to prepare this delicacy, and it can be done straight from frozen! Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming crab legs from frozen.

First, gather your materials: a steamer basket that fits in a lidded pot, or a wide lidded pot or pan; lemon slices; and, of course, your crab legs. If you're short on time, you can skip the next step, but it's recommended to rinse off any thicker areas of ice glaze under cold, running water to ensure even heating.

Now, fill your pot with an inch or two of water, then add a few lemon slices. Cover with a lid and bring the water to a simmer over medium heat until it's steaming. Once the pot is steaming, add the crab legs and cover again. Continue to steam over medium heat for 10 minutes if the crab legs are frozen, or five minutes if they've been defrosted.

Your crab legs are now ready to serve! It's recommended to let them cool slightly before tucking in. You can serve them with lemon wedges and melted butter, or alongside a Meyer lemon-Miso butter sauce.

Steaming is the preferred method for cooking crab legs because it helps preserve the pure, sweet taste and tender texture of the meat. It's also less likely to overcook the crab, and the meat retains more of its juices.

How long to steam snow crab

Steaming is the best way to cook snow crab legs, as it helps preserve the crab's pure, sweet taste and tender texture. It's also a quick and easy way to prepare crab, and it's simple to do at home.

Snow crab that is still frozen takes slightly longer to steam than snow crab that has been thawed. Either way, it takes 10 minutes or less to steam snow crab:

• Steaming snow crab from frozen: about 10 minutes
• Steaming thawed snow crab: about 5 minutes

How to Steam Snow Crab

First, gather your materials:

• Crab (frozen or thawed)
• A steamer basket that fits in a lidded pot, or a wide lidded pot or pan
• Lemon slices
• Salt or seasoning (optional)

If using a steamer basket, fill a pot with an inch of water, then add a few lemon slices. Cover with a lid, then bring the water to a simmer over medium heat until steaming. Once the pot is steaming, add the crab and cover with the lid. Continue to steam over medium heat for 5 minutes if using defrosted crab, or 10 minutes if using frozen crab.

If not using a steamer basket, simply cover the bottom of a wide pot or pan with about ¼ inch of water and add a few lemon slices. Cover with a lid and bring to a simmer over medium heat until steaming. Then, add the crab and cover with the lid. Continue to steam over medium heat for 5 minutes if using defrosted crab, or 10 minutes if using frozen crab.

Enjoy while still hot, with your favorite dipping sauces.

Seasoning the water

At a minimum, you should add salt to the water. Some chefs also like to add bay leaves, lemon wedges, Old Bay seasoning, or a splash of white wine. You can also steam crab legs in plain water, as crab meat is tasty on its own.

If you want to add a bit more seasoning, you can try a combination of light beer, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and vegetable oil. This combination is a popular choice for steaming crab legs, as the beer and Old Bay seasoning infuse the crab legs with a unique flavour.

How to know when crab legs are cooked

Crab legs are typically sold pre-cooked and flash-frozen, so when you prepare them at home, you're essentially reheating them. The goal is to ensure the crab legs are heated all the way through without overcooking the meat.

• Aroma: Crab legs will emit a fresh seafood aroma when they are heated through. You will be able to smell them, indicating that they are cooked.
• Colour: The crab legs will not change colour when reheated, but raw crab has a greenish-brown shell, while cooked crab has a white, pink, or reddish shell.
• Crack one open: You can test one of the crab legs by cracking it open. If the meat inside is steaming and hot, then the others are likely ready as well.
• Steam: Crab legs are done when they are uniformly steaming. If you don't see hot steam coming off them, they need to be cooked a little longer.
• Time: Thawed crab legs will take around 4-5 minutes to steam, while frozen crab legs will take a few minutes longer.

Steaming crab legs without a steamer

Steaming crab legs is a great way to prepare this dish, as it helps preserve the pure, sweet taste and tender texture of the meat. It is also a very simple and quick process, which can be done in a few different ways. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam crab legs without a steamer:

Firstly, it is recommended to thaw the crab legs before cooking. This can be done by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or, if you are short on time, by rinsing them under cold running water for a few minutes until all the ice has melted.

Next, fill a large pot or skillet with an inch or so of water. You can also add lemon slices and salt to the water for extra flavour, if desired. Bring the water to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Then, arrange the crab legs in a single layer in the pot or skillet. Cover the pot or skillet tightly with a lid or aluminium foil to trap the steam inside.

Finally, cook the crab legs for 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through and fragrant. Be careful not to overcook them, as this can make them rubbery.

Once they are cooked, serve the crab legs immediately with melted butter, salt, and lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy!

Other methods of steaming crab legs

If you do have access to a steamer, the process is very similar. Simply fill a pot with an inch or two of water, add a steamer basket, and bring the water to a boil. Then, place the crab legs in the basket, cover, and steam for 4-5 minutes if thawed or slightly longer if frozen.

Alternatively, you can also steam crab legs in the microwave. First, cut the crab legs and claws at their joints so they fit in the microwave. Then, wrap them in damp paper towels and microwave-safe plastic wrap. Finally, microwave each package for 2 minutes on full power.

Frequently asked questions