Cooking Frozen King Crab Legs: No Steamer, No Problem

Cooking frozen king crab legs without a steamer is easier than you might think. While a steamer is the preferred method for cooking king crab legs, there are several other ways to cook them, including boiling, grilling, and baking. The cooking time for king crab legs varies depending on their size, whether they are frozen or thawed, and the cooking method chosen. For example, boiling frozen king crab legs takes around 10-12 minutes, while baking them takes 15-18 minutes. It is important to note that almost all crab legs sold in the US are already cooked and frozen, so the cooking process is often just to reheat the meat and evaporate the water inside the legs.

Boiling crab legs

Boiling is a simple and quick method for cooking crab legs, especially if you're short on time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to boil frozen crab legs:

Preparation:

Before boiling your crab legs, you will need to decide whether to thaw them or cook them from frozen. Thawing the crab legs first can ensure more even cooking and quicker preparation. If you choose to thaw them, place the desired number of crab legs in a sealed plastic bag or container and refrigerate them for 8-12 hours or until they are fully thawed.

Boiling:

• Fill a large stockpot or Dutch oven halfway with water. You can also add seasonings to the water, such as seafood seasoning, salt, Old Bay seasoning, lemon slices, or bay leaves, for extra flavour.
• Heat the water until it reaches a boil.
• Once the water is boiling, carefully add the crab legs to the pot. You may need to bend the crab legs to fit them in the pot and submerge them in the water.
• Cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
• Cook the crab legs for 3 to 10 minutes, depending on whether they are frozen or thawed. Frozen crab legs will take longer to cook than thawed crab legs. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will lose their delicate flavour.

Serving:

• Remove the crab legs from the pot using tongs and place them on a serving platter.
• Serve the crab legs warm with melted butter or your preferred dipping sauces, such as garlic butter sauce, cocktail sauce, or aioli.
• Provide the necessary tools for cracking and eating the crab legs, such as crab crackers, kitchen shears, and small forks.

Enjoy your delicious and tender boiled crab legs!

Steaming crab legs

Steaming is one of the best ways to cook king crab legs. It's a simple process that only requires a pot, a steamer basket, and some water. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam crab legs:

Step 1: Prepare the Pot and Water

Fill a large pot with an inch or two of water. The pot should be large enough to accommodate the crab legs and a steamer basket or colander. Place the steamer basket or colander inside the pot. If using a colander, ensure that it fits securely inside the pot with enough space for the crab legs.

Step 2: Season the Water

Add a tablespoon of salt to the water. You can also enhance the flavour by adding bay leaves, lemon wedges, Old Bay seasoning, or a splash of white wine. However, this step is optional, as crab meat is delicious on its own.

Step 3: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Bring the water to a rolling boil before adding the crab legs.

Step 4: Add the Crab Legs

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the crab legs into the steamer basket or colander. Make sure that the crab legs are not submerged in the water. If using frozen crab legs, ensure they are thawed before adding them to the steamer.

Step 5: Cover and Steam

Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let the crab legs steam until they are heated through. This should take around 6-10 minutes for thawed crab legs and 12-15 minutes for frozen crab legs. For smaller snow crab legs, steam for 7-9 minutes if frozen and 4-5 minutes if thawed.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

You'll know the crab legs are cooked when they start to give off a "cooked odor." The meat should be hot all the way through, opaque, and firm. It should also have a reddish-pink, juicy appearance.

Step 7: Serve

Remove the crab legs from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving. Crab legs are often served with melted butter, lemon wedges, and various dipping sauces. Enjoy your delicious and tender crab legs!

Grilling crab legs

Before grilling crab legs, it's best to thaw them first so that they heat up evenly. You can do this by placing the crab legs in your refrigerator overnight (8-12 hours) or by filling your sink with cold water and letting them sit in it for about 20 to 30 minutes. Be sure to rinse the legs well after they're thawed.

To grill the crab legs, brush or spritz them with olive oil to prevent sticking. Then, place the crab legs on a hot grill set to 300°F for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they are heated all the way through. You'll know they're done when they start to turn brown and emit a "cooked odor". Remove the crab legs from the grill and serve with butter or sauce. Some great dipping sauce options include garlic butter, lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, and thinned-down guacamole dip.

Baking crab legs

Baked crab legs are a delicious alternative to steamed or boiled crab legs. This cooking method is perfect for those who want to infuse the flavour of herbs and lemon into their crab legs.

How to Bake Crab Legs

First, preheat your oven to around 350°F or 375°F. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking pan in a single layer. Pour hot water into the pan, ensuring it is about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminium foil and bake for 8 to 10 minutes for thawed crab legs, or 15 to 18 minutes for frozen crab legs.

Tips for Baking Crab Legs

• You can brush the crab legs with melted butter and your choice of seasonings, such as garlic, herbs, or lemon juice.
• If you are short on time, you can quick-thaw frozen crab legs by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and submerging them in cold water. Remember to change the water every 30 minutes until they are fully thawed.
• King crab legs are typically sold individually, and each leg can be quite substantial.
• Baking crab legs is a great way to capture the flavour of herbs and lemon in the cooking process.

Thawing crab legs

The refrigerator method involves placing the desired number of crab legs in a sealed plastic bag or container and leaving them in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours or until they are fully thawed. This method ensures that the crab legs thaw slowly and safely.

If you are short on time, the quick-thaw method can be used. This involves placing the crab legs in a sealed plastic bag and submerging them in cold water. It is important to change the water every 30 minutes until the crab legs are completely thawed, which usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Once the crab legs are thawed, they can be cooked using various methods such as boiling, steaming, grilling, or baking. It is worth noting that almost all crab legs sold in the US are already cooked and frozen, so the "cooking process" is often just to reheat the meat and evaporate the water inside the legs.

When cooking king crab legs, it is recommended to add seasonings such as Old Bay seasoning, garlic, and lemon to enhance the flavor. The cooking time will depend on the cooking method chosen and whether the crab legs are frozen or thawed. For example, boiling thawed king crab legs takes about 4 to 6 minutes, while steaming frozen king crab legs takes 12 to 15 minutes.

Remember to always handle crab legs with care and follow food safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience.

Frequently asked questions