Cooking Crab Legs: Steamer-Free, Easy Methods For Tender Meat

There are several ways to cook crab legs without a steamer. You can boil them, steam them using a colander, bake them in the oven, or even grill them. The best method for cooking crab legs is steaming, as it helps preserve the crab's natural sweetness and tender texture. However, if you don't have a steamer, there are alternative methods to achieve similar results.

Bake crab legs in the oven

Baking crab legs in the oven is a great way to prepare crab legs for a large group of people. It's easy to do and doesn't require any special equipment beyond a baking sheet and an oven. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bake crab legs in the oven:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to a temperature between 375-425°F. The exact temperature may vary depending on the recipe you are following and the type of crab legs you are using.

Step 2: Prepare the Crab Legs

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminium foil. Place the crab legs on the baking sheet, arranging them in a single layer. If desired, you can brush the crab legs with a sauce or seasoning mixture. For example, you can try a mixture of olive oil and seafood boil seasoning, or a garlic butter sauce made by melting butter with garlic, lemon or lime juice, and olive oil.

Step 3: Create a "Steaming Packet"

Tent another piece of foil on top of the baking sheet, securing it at the ends to create a "steaming packet" around the crab legs. This will help trap the moisture and create a steaming effect in the oven.

Step 4: Bake the Crab Legs

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-25 minutes, depending on the size and type of crab legs. King crab legs may take longer to bake than smaller varieties such as snow crab legs.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Remove the crab legs from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Carefully crack open the crab legs and dip the meat into melted butter or another sauce of your choice. Enjoy!

Boil crab legs

Boiling is one of the best ways to cook crab legs. It is a simple and effective method that ensures the crab legs are cooked through and easy to shell. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to boil crab legs:

Step 1: Prepare the Crab Legs

Before boiling, it is important to thaw the crab legs if they are frozen. Place the crab legs in the refrigerator overnight to thaw them. If you are short on time, you can also run them under cold water until the ice melts.

Step 2: Boil the Water

Fill a large stockpot with cold water, ensuring it is large enough to fit the crab legs. Add a generous amount of salt to the water to enhance the flavour. You can also add other seasonings such as lemon wedges, bay leaves, or Old Bay seasoning. Place the pot on the stove and heat it over high heat until the water reaches a rolling boil.

Step 3: Add the Crab Legs

Once the water is boiling, carefully lower the crab legs into the pot using long-handled tongs. Bend the crab legs at the joints and tuck them into the water to ensure they are fully submerged. Return the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Step 4: Simmer the Crab Legs

Allow the crab legs to simmer in the boiling water for about 5 minutes. This should be enough time to heat them through. Be careful not to overcook the crab legs, as this can affect their texture and taste.

Step 5: Remove the Crab Legs

After simmering for 5 minutes, use tongs to remove the crab legs from the pot and transfer them to a platter or plate. Be cautious as the crab legs will be hot.

Step 6: Serve the Crab Legs

Crab legs are best served hot. You can serve them with melted butter, garlic, lemon wedges, or your favourite dipping sauce. Enjoy your delicious and tender boiled crab legs!

Broil crab legs

Broiling crab legs is a great way to cook them without a steamer. Broiling is a cooking method where the food is exposed to direct heat, usually in an oven with a rack positioned as close to the heat source as possible. This direct heat warms the food rapidly and causes a little charring, imparting tons of flavour.

To broil crab legs, first preheat your broiler on a low setting. Season the crab legs with a little Old Bay seasoning and space them out evenly on your baking sheet. You may need to do this in batches, depending on how many crab legs you have. Broil for 3 minutes on each side and let them cool enough for you to handle before serving.

Alternatively, you can split the crab legs and body, exposing the meat, and season with butter, garlic, and lemon. This will provide the tell-tale charring and succulence.

Make sure your crab legs are thawed before broiling. Don't let them burn!

Grill crab legs

Grilling crab legs is a great way to cook crab without needing a steamer. It's a fun way to get dinner on the table in the summer, and grilled crab meat goes great with just about any side.

To grill crab legs, you'll first want to thaw the crab legs. You can do this by placing them in the refrigerator overnight, or by rinsing them under cold, running water for a few minutes. You can also fill your sink with cold water and let the legs sit in the water for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Once the crab legs are thawed, you'll want to heat your grill to medium-high. You can use any type of crab legs for grilling, but king crab, Dungeness crab, and snow crab legs are popular choices. Brush or spritz the legs with olive oil and place them on the grill. Cover and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the meat is heated through.

You can serve grilled crab legs with melted butter and lemon wedges, or with a variety of dipping sauces such as red cocktail sauce, garlic butter sauce, or a thinned-down guacamole dip. Enjoy!

Steam crab legs using a colander

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a colander or a metal sieve to steam crab legs. This method produces perfectly steamed crab legs, just like using a steamer basket. The steam cooks the crab legs gently, preserving their natural flavours and textures. Here's how to do it:

• Fill a pot with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil.
• Place a heatproof colander or metal sieve on top of the pot, ensuring it fits securely.
• Arrange the crab legs in the colander or metal sieve in a single layer.
• Cover the pot with a lid to create a steamy environment.
• Steam the crab legs for approximately 5-7 minutes or until they are heated through.
• Carefully remove the colander or metal sieve from the pot using oven mitts or tongs.

Note: It's important to ensure that the colander or sieve fits securely on top of the pot and that the lid still fits on top to trap the steam inside.

Frequently asked questions