Steaming King Crab Legs: A Simple, Quick, And Delicious Guide

King crab legs are a delicious treat, often reserved for special occasions due to their high price tag. But did you know that cooking them at home is simple? All you need is a big pot of boiling water and your crab legs – it's that easy!

Steaming is one of the best ways to cook king crab legs, and it only takes a few minutes. You can also grill, bake, boil, or even microwave them. Most frozen crab legs are pre-cooked, so you only need to heat them through.

For steaming, add two cups of water and a tablespoon of salt to a pot and bring to a boil. Place the crab legs in the pot on a rack or colander over the boiling water, cover, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve with garlic butter, lemon wedges, and enjoy!

How to steam crab legs in the oven

Steaming crab legs is a quick and easy way to prepare king crab. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam crab legs in the oven:

Step 1: Prepare the Crab Legs

Place the frozen crab legs in a walk-in cooler or refrigerator to thaw overnight. This is the best way to ensure the crab legs cook evenly and quickly. Rinse the thawed crab legs with water to remove any sand or dirt present on the shells.

Step 2: Set Up the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°Fahrenheit. Place a baking pan with aluminium foil to create a steaming effect. You can also use a shallow baking pan and cover it with aluminium foil.

Step 3: Prepare the Baking Pan

Add a small amount of hot water to the baking pan, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. You can also squeeze a lemon or two over the crab legs for added flavour.

Step 4: Arrange the Crab Legs

Place the thawed crab legs in a single layer in the prepared baking pan. Make sure there is enough space between the crab legs for even cooking.

Step 5: Brush with Butter or Oil

Brush the crab legs with butter, seasoning, and/or olive oil. This will help prevent the crab legs from sticking to the pan and add flavour.

Step 6: Cover and Bake

Cover the pan with aluminium foil to keep the steam in. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The crab legs are already cooked, so you are just reheating them.

Step 7: Serve

Remove the crab legs from the oven and serve with melted butter and lemon wedges. Enjoy your delicious and tender steamed crab legs!

How to grill crab legs

Grilling king crab legs is a fun way to cook them, especially if it's warm outside and you're planning to eat outside. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill crab legs:

• Brush olive oil on all sides of the crab legs to prevent them from sticking.
• Preheat your grill to 300°F.
• Place the crab legs on the hot grill and cook for about 5 minutes.
• Turn the crab legs over and cook for another 5 minutes, or until they are heated all the way through.
• Remove the crab legs from the grill and serve immediately.

You can serve grilled crab legs with melted butter or your favourite sauce. Enjoy!

How to bake crab legs

Baked crab legs are a delicious treat and a great way to capture the flavour of herbs and lemon in the cooking process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to bake crab legs:

Preparation:

Before you start baking, it is important to note that crab legs are usually sold frozen and pre-cooked. So, the first step is to thaw the crab legs. Place the crab legs in your refrigerator to thaw overnight (8-12 hours).

Baking:

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking pan in a single layer, adding hot water to the pan about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminium foil and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Serving:

Crab legs are traditionally served with melted butter and lemon wedges. You can also serve them with a creamy garlic butter sauce. To open the crab shells and expose the meat, use kitchen shears to cut lengthwise up the undersides of the crab legs, where the shell is thinner and weaker. Use claw crackers to break open the claws.

Tips:

• If you are in a hurry, you can quickly thaw the crab legs by placing them in a large colander in your sink and running cold water over them for about 15 minutes.
• Baking is a preferred method if you want to capture the flavours of herbs and lemon. However, if you are looking for a quicker method, steaming or grilling are also great options for cooking crab legs.
• Be careful not to overcook the crab legs, as this can make the meat tough and rubbery. You are simply reheating the crab, so a short baking time is best.

Enjoy your delicious baked crab legs!

How to microwave crab legs

King crab legs are usually already cooked when purchased, so when cooking at home, you are technically just reheating them. Here is a detailed guide on how to microwave crab legs:

Defrosting

Firstly, you will need to defrost your crab legs. It is recommended that you thaw your crab legs in the fridge for 8-12 hours before cooking them. If you are short on time, you can run the legs under cold water to help them defrost faster. Defrosted crab legs can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days, but they should be cooked as soon as possible after defrosting.

Preparing for the Microwave

Place the thawed crab legs in a microwave-safe container, such as a casserole dish. If they do not fit, you can cut them in half. For every 8 ounces of crab legs, add one tablespoon of water to the container.

Cooking Time

Microwave the crab legs on high for 3-4 minutes per 8 ounces. For example, 1 pound of crab legs will need to be cooked for 6-8 minutes. The crab legs are done when you can smell them, or the meat is warm to the touch.

Serving

You can serve the crab legs with lemon wedges, clarified butter, or garlic butter for dipping. Nutcrackers can be used to open the shells.

How to serve steamed crab legs

Steamed crab legs are a delicious and simple dish to prepare, and can be served in a variety of ways. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to serve steamed crab legs:

Step 1: Prepare the Crab Legs

Before steaming, it is important to ensure that your crab legs are properly prepared. If they are frozen, it is recommended to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. This will ensure even and quick cooking. Once thawed, give the crab legs a quick rinse to remove any sand or dirt. You can also cut the crab legs at the joints to fit your cooking equipment, such as a steamer basket or baking dish.

Step 2: Steam the Crab Legs

To steam the crab legs, you will need a large pot or steamer. Fill the pot with water, adding a tablespoon of salt if desired, and bring it to a boil. If using a steamer basket, ensure that the water level is just below the basket. Place the crab legs in the steamer basket or on a rack above the boiling water. Cover the pot and steam for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the crab legs are heated through. You can also add seasonings or garlic to the water for extra flavor.

Step 3: Prepare Dipping Sauces

While the crab legs are steaming, you can prepare some dipping sauces. Melted butter is a classic choice, and you can add garlic or herbs for extra flavor. Lemon wedges are also a popular accompaniment, as the acidity pairs well with the crab. You can also offer other sauces such as apple cider vinegar or a creamy garlic butter sauce.

Step 4: Plate and Serve

Once the crab legs are steamed, it's time to plate and serve them. Use kitchen shears or crab crackers to open the shells and expose the meat. Serve the crab legs with the prepared dipping sauces and plenty of napkins. Steamed crab legs can be served as an appetizer or main course, and go well with sides such as potatoes, corn on the cob, or a green salad.

Tips and Variations:

• If you don't have a steamer, you can use a large pot with a lid, or even a rice cooker with a steamer function.
• Be careful not to overcook the crab legs, as this can make them tough and rubbery.
• For a slightly different flavor, try adding wine, chicken broth, or citrus juices to the steaming liquid.
• For a fancier presentation, serve the crab legs with the shells already opened, exposing the tender meat.

Frequently asked questions