Steaming Crab Legs: Oven-Baked Perfection

Crab legs are a delicious and indulgent treat, often served at restaurants and special occasions. But did you know that they are incredibly easy to prepare at home? In fact, cooking crab legs is one of the simplest meals you can make, and you can achieve impressive, restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.

Crab legs are usually sold pre-cooked and frozen, so all you need to do is reheat them. This can be done in a few different ways, but one of the most popular methods is steaming. Steaming crab legs is a gentle and effective way to reheat them, preserving the sweet taste and tender texture of the meat. It also helps to avoid overcooking and ensures the crab legs don't become rubbery.

So, how do you steam crab legs? It's simple! All you need is a large pot, a steamer basket, and some water. Bring the water to a boil, season it with salt or other spices if desired, and then place the crab legs in the steamer basket. Cover the pot and let the crab legs steam until they are heated through. This usually takes around 4-7 minutes for thawed crab legs, and a little longer if they are still frozen.

If you don't have a steamer basket, don't worry! You can also steam crab legs in the oven. This method is just as easy and convenient, and it's a great option if you're cooking for a crowd. Simply place the crab legs on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven to bake or broil.

How to choose crab legs at the store

When choosing crab legs at the store, you'll likely encounter three common types: King crab, Snow crab, and Dungeness crab. Here's a guide to help you select the best crab legs for your meal:

King Crab

King crabs are the largest variety, caught in the cold waters of the Pacific and Arctic oceans. Their legs are big, thick, and meaty, often referred to as Alaskan king crab legs. These crabs are typically sold by individual legs due to their size. Their shells are thick and spiny, so you'll need a sturdy seafood cracker or kitchen shears to extract the sweet, lobster-like meat. Plan to serve one to two king crab legs per person. When choosing king crab legs, look for those that have been kept on ice, not in water, and opt for overnight shipping to ensure freshness.

Snow Crab

Snow crabs are found in the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans and are smaller than king crabs, with longer, skinnier, less meaty legs. Their shells are easier to crack by hand or with seafood crackers, revealing sweet and briny meat. Snow crab meat is delicate and ideal for recipes that call for shredded crab. Due to population declines, snow crab may be more expensive and challenging to find.

Dungeness Crab

Dungeness crabs are named after the area in Washington state where they were first commercially fished. They are usually sold in clusters of four to five legs per cluster. Their meat is sweet, tender, and slightly nutty, making them versatile for dipping in butter or adding to recipes like risotto or crab cakes. Dungeness crab is typically available fresh on the West Coast during its season from fall to winter, but it can also be found frozen year-round.

General Tips for Choosing Crab Legs

• For the freshest flavour, opt for frozen crab legs and thaw them yourself at home.
• Look for crab legs with a bright shell and a fresh sea aroma. Avoid those with an overly fishy smell or discoloured spots.
• Frozen crab legs should be well-sealed with no visible ice crystals or signs of freezer burn.
• If you're a first-time crab leg preparer, consider starting with snow crab legs, which are easier to handle.

How to season crab legs

Crab legs are a delicious treat and can be seasoned in a variety of ways to elevate their flavour. Here is a detailed guide on how to season crab legs before steaming them in the oven:

Firstly, choose your crab legs. The most popular varieties are king crab and snow crab, but you can also find Dungeness, blue, and stone crab legs. King crab legs are larger and meatier, while snow crab legs are smaller with a longer, skinnier shape. You can buy crab legs fresh or frozen, and they can be cooked from frozen, but they will take a little longer.

Now, onto seasoning. The simplest way to season crab legs is to salt the water that you will be steaming them over. You can also add bay leaves, lemon wedges, Old Bay seasoning, or a splash of white wine to the water to enhance the flavour. If you want to get creative, you can make your own Old Bay seasoning by blending celery salt, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Alternatively, you can add your chosen seasonings directly to the crab legs before steaming.

If you want to infuse even more flavour into your crab legs, you can add seasonings, garlic, citrus, or herbs directly to the baking dish. You can also mix butter or olive oil with your chosen seasonings and brush this over the crab legs before steaming. Popular seasonings include Old Bay, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Once your crab legs are cooked, you can serve them with a variety of sauces and seasonings. The classic choice is melted butter with lemon wedges, but you could also try garlic butter, creamy mustard sauce, aioli, or cocktail sauce. Fresh herbs like chives, dill, and parsley also complement crab legs well, and you can finish with a sprinkle of seasoning like Old Bay or garlic powder.

So, there you have it! A simple, step-by-step guide to seasoning crab legs before steaming them in the oven. Enjoy your delicious, flavourful crab legs!

How to steam crab legs

Steaming crab legs is a great way to cook this seafood delicacy. It is also one of the easiest ways to prepare crab legs and can be done in a few simple steps. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam crab legs for a delicious meal.

Step 1: Prepare the Crab Legs

You can use either fresh or frozen crab legs for steaming. If you are using frozen crab legs, you can choose to thaw them before cooking. Thawing the legs beforehand is not necessary, but it will reduce the steaming time and ensure more even cooking. To thaw, place the crab legs in a bowl and leave them overnight in your refrigerator. If you are short on time, you can also place them in a colander and run them under cool water until they are completely thawed.

Step 2: Prepare the Steamer

To steam crab legs, you will need a large pot with a tight-fitting lid and a steamer basket that fits inside the pot. Fill the pot with an inch or two of water, making sure there is enough room for the crab legs. Place the steamer basket inside the pot, on top of the water.

Step 3: Season the Water (Optional)

You can enhance the flavour of the crab legs by seasoning the water. This is entirely optional, as crab legs are delicious on their own. However, you can add ingredients such as salt, bay leaves, lemon wedges, Old Bay seasoning, or a splash of white wine to the water.

Step 4: Steam the Crab Legs

Bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, carefully place the crab legs in the steamer basket. Cover the pot with the lid and let the crab legs steam until they are cooked through. The cooking time will depend on whether your crab legs are thawed or frozen. For thawed crab legs, steam for about four to five minutes. If the crab legs are frozen, they may need a few minutes more.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

You will know the crab legs are done when they emit a cooked seafood aroma, and the meat is hot all the way through. The cooked crab meat should be reddish-pink and juicy.

Step 6: Serve

Remove the crab legs from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving. Crab legs are often served with melted butter and lemon wedges on the side. You can also provide tools like crab crackers and small forks to help your guests remove the meat from the shells. Enjoy your delicious steamed crab legs!

How to know when crab legs are done

Crab legs are usually sold pre-cooked and flash-frozen, so when you cook them, you're simply reheating them. When cooking crab legs in the oven, you can tell they're done when they're hot and a little steamy. The meat should be hot all the way through, and the flesh should appear reddish-pink and juicy. Crab legs will also emit a cooked seafood aroma when they're done.

If you're boiling or steaming crab legs, they're done when they turn bright red and give off a cooked seafood aroma. For boiling, they should be submerged in the water for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they're heated through. For steaming, they should be placed in the steamer basket for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they're heated through.

When baking crab legs in the oven, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on their size, or until they're heated through.

What to serve with crab legs

Crab legs are a delicious treat, but deciding what to serve with them can be tricky. Here are some ideas to elevate your crab legs and create a well-rounded meal:

Sauces and Seasonings

The most iconic and widely used condiment for crab legs is clarified butter. To make this, melt regular butter and allow it to cool, separating the milk solids. The butter on top is clarified and can be enhanced with fresh lemon juice and garlic for a dipping sauce. You can also add rosemary, parsley, or Worcestershire sauce for extra flavour. Keep in mind that clarified butter is best served with warm crab legs, as it will solidify on cold crab.

Other sauces that pair well with crab include mustard with dill, mayonnaise, lemon and salt and pepper, a spicy diablo dipping sauce, or hollandaise. If you're feeling adventurous, you can make your own cocktail sauce by mixing horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, lemon, and ketchup, with the option to add pepper for an extra kick.

Side Dishes

When it comes to side dishes, there are several options that will complement your crab legs:

• Potatoes: Whether roasted, baked, mashed, or fried, potatoes are a classic pairing. Add some garlic and butter for ultimate flavour.
• Corn on the Cob: This duo is a traditional favourite for a reason. Enjoy the sweet crunch of corn alongside your crab legs.
• Coleslaw: This creamy, crunchy cabbage dish is typically served with barbecue, but it also provides the perfect contrast of flavours and textures alongside crab.
• Cornbread: The salty-sweetness of cornbread works beautifully with crab meat, and the carbs will balance out your protein-rich meal.
• Artichokes: Steamed artichoke petals dipped in butter before scraping off the meat can be a fun and tasty addition to your meal, especially if you're already dipping your crab in butter.
• Salad: A nice, crunchy green salad can be a simple yet refreshing side. For something more substantial, try a Caesar salad or a mandarin orange salad with a mix of crunchy and sweet elements.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasting vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, and onions will bring out their natural sweetness and create a delicious complement to your crab legs.
• French Fries: A crowd-pleasing option that needs no introduction. For an extra kick, try garlic fries to contrast with or complement your crab preparation.
• Wine: While not a dish per se, a glass of wine can elevate your meal. White wine varieties like Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and dry Riesling are particularly well-suited to pairing with crab.

Frequently asked questions