how to cook crab legs

How to Cook Crab Legs

Strictly speaking, you probably won't need to cook those frozen crab legs you purchased at the supermarket or at the discount club store--it has already been done for you. You will just need to heat them up. Make sure you do it properly, though, by following these tips.

You must first thaw the crab legs. Allow them to thaw in your refrigerator overnight; don't make the mistake that many people do of thawing them at room temperature or, even worse, thawing them by zapping in a microwave oven. Thawing at room temperature is a bit risky from a food-safety standpoint , and microwaving can overcook crab legs.

Once the legs are completely thawed, then you can heat them in the microwave--or in a conventional oven. You can also steam or boil them.

Microwaving

• Place crab legs in a microwave-safe pan or on a dish. Cover with a couple of thicknesses of paper towels and heat on high for 2 to 3 minutes.

Boiling

• Fill a large pot 2/3 full of water. Add several shakes of salt and any other seasoning that you like. Bring water to a boil. Drop crab legs into the boiling water. Immediately reduce heat and let the pot simmer for 4 to 6 minutes.

Steaming

• Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil on stove. Place crab legs in a vegetable steamer or a colander and place over the pan. Allow the legs to steam for 4 or 5 minutes.

Heating in an Oven

• Heat oven to approximately 420 degrees F. Place crab legs on a baking sheet and place in oven on a top rack. Roast for 4 or 5 minutes.

The best crab legs are king crab legs, but most types of crab sold for food have a good deal of meat in their legs and especially their claws. Sometimes there is more meat in the legs than in the body itself.

Crab legs are made up of three distinct sections. To get at the meat, just break the sections apart at the joints. Then take hold of one of the sections and press it with your thumbs on the flat side until the shell cracks. You should be able now to remove the shell and pull out a good-sized piece of meat. The claws will probably need to be cracked with pliers or with special tools available from kitchen specialty shops.

Cooked crabmeat straight from the legs is delicious by itself, or you can brush it with melted butter before eating. Crab leg meat is also good in any recipe calling for crabmeat generally.

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A. How to Cook King Crab Legs

Cooking King Crab Legs

• In most cases, the king crab you purchase has already been cooked by the processor. The majority of Alaska's crab is cooked and blast frozen to secure it's prized taste. Preparing king crab is usually just a matter of using your preferred reheating method.

• If buying frozen crab legs, thawing them is the first thing you need to do. We recommend thawing king crab overnight in your refrigerator. If you're in a big hurry, king crab can be thawed under cold running water to speed this up. Try bending the crab legs at their joints or slightly squeezing the middle of the merus section to make sure the king crab legs have thawed.

• As you might have guessed, there are a variety of ways to reheat king crab. Steaming, boiling and baking are among the most common. With these methods, king crab only takes only 4 to 8 minutes to reheat. Keep in mind that unless you have purchased a live king crab, the crab legs in front of you have already been cooked. Be careful not to overcook your king crab as it will reduce the prized texture and taste.

• There are scores of recipes to use king crab in. From soups to main entrees to salads. All of these are very delicious and satisfying. FishEx offers a sizable list of king crab recipes.

Serving King Crab Legs

• King crab can be served in a variety of ways. Most commonly it is served accompanied by a dish of hot melted butter to dip the succulent crab meat into. This simple preparation will impress anyone you're serving king crab to. Sometimes it's good to add just a pinch of garlic to your melted butter. I've also heard that a couple of drops of Tabasco in the butter can be very complimentary to the rich taste of king crab.

• King crab meat is usually served within its own natural shell. People have used nut crackers, knives, and even hammers to break the shell and grasp the rewards within. I have found that using a fork can work quite well. By inserting one fork tine into the end of the crab leg, then working the fork up the length of the shell, you can open the leg and extract the succulent meat within. We also sell handy little crab shelling tools.

• Having your king crab legs split before serving them is another great way to serve king crab. This allows for very easy access to the crab meat yet takes away from work of having to shuck them yourself. Finding split king crab can be hard though. You may want to look for a local seafood retailer that can split the crab for you.

• And so you're off...to find some excellent king crab, prepare with care, and serve up a meal fit for a king. The aroma of hot crab and butter rise from the table, everybody's eyes get big, and you all dig in. With sticky fingers, broken crab shells, piles of napkins, and a variety of utensils piling up around your plate, time passes by without notice. Rarely have you been so satisfied. And without a doubt, you will find yourself lounging on the couch or in a big easy chair afterwards relishing the contentment of such a great meal.

B. How to Cook Fresh Crab Legs

Crab legs make a delicious meal any time, and you don’t need to save your taste for seafood for a night out at your favorite dockside restaurant. You can have that succulent delicacy at your kitchen table. Eating crab legs requires a little more work to get past the rigid shell and to the tender meat, but preparing crab legs is even simpler than dining on them. Chances are the crab legs you bought at the supermarket are already cooked and flash frozen. So the first thing you want to do is thaw them in the refrigerator over night. Then choose the way you want to prepare them.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Butter

• Lemon

• Salt

• Seafood bouillon or other seasoning to taste

How to Microwave Crab Legs

Step 1

• Place the crab legs in a microwave-safe pan or on a dish.

Step 2

• Cover the crab legs with a couple of thick paper towels.

Step 3

• Heat on high for 2 to 3 minutes.

How to Boil Crab Legs

Step 1

• Fill a large pot 2/3 full of water.

Step 2

• Add several shakes of salt and any other seasoning to taste, like a seafood bouillon, or Cajun seasoning. Be generous.

Step 3

• Bring water to a boil.

Step 4

• Drop crab legs into the boiling water.

Step 5

• Immediately reduce heat and let the pot simmer for 4 to 6 minutes.

Step 6

• Pull them out of the water with tongs and drain them for one minute in a strainer over the sink before serving.

How to Steam Crab Legs

Step 1

• Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil on stove.

Step 2

• Place crab legs in a vegetable steamer or a colander and place over the pan.

Step 3

• Allow the legs to steam for 4 or 5 minutes.

How to Heat Crab Legs in an Oven

Step 1

• Heat oven to approximately 420 degrees F.

Step 2

• Place crab legs on a baking sheet and place in oven on the top rack.

Step 3

• Roast for 4 or 5 minutes.

C. How to Cook Snow Crab Legs

Simple recipe on how to cook snow crab legs. Crab legs are easy to prepare and make any meal memorable.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

•     Snow crab legs

•    Large pot with lid

•     Sea salt or regular salt

•     Butter

•     Garlic

•     Microwave-safe bowl

      Step 1

• Use one of the largest pots you have and add two inches of water in the pot. Add two to three pinches of sea salt. If you do not have any sea salt, use regular salt. Heat the water until it begins to boil.

      Step 2

• When the water has come to a rolling boil, add the crab legs. Cover the pot with a lid. If you find that the legs prevent you from properly closing the top, use tin foil to cover.

      Step 3

•       Once the water returns to a boil, steam the snow crab for at least 10 minutes. If you spot a layer of ice on the snow crabs, steam for more time to ensure they are cooked thoroughly.

      Step 4

• After the 10 minutes is up, drain the snow crab legs from the water and let them cool for a few minutes. Be careful since the crab legs will be extremely hot.

      Step 5

• While you are waiting for the crab legs to cool, crush a clove of garlic and add it to unmelted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until it melts and blend butter and garlic. You can add some fresh pepper, salt, lemon juice or other spices if you would like to the melted butter for a slightly different taste.

      Step 6

• Use a cracker to break open the claw portion of the snow crab legs. Crackers can help open different parts of the crab legs for helping anyone gain access to the meat. Serve the crab legs with a side of butter for eating.

D. What to Serve with Crab Legs

King crab legs are a delicious meal, but knowing what to serve with them can be tricky. Eating king crabs legs is a very involved process that produces a lot of mess, for the table and for your guests. Serve side dishes that will not distract from the crab legs and will compliment the hands-on element of the meal and the distinct flavors of the meat.

Potatoes

• For a tasty and creamy compliment to your crab legs, serve baked or mashed potatoes. Potatoes are a traditional side dish for seafood because of their texture and mild taste. Serve your potatoes with garlic butter and top with sour cream and chives. For a summer potato option, serve a cold potato salad made from baked and sliced small red potatoes. Toss the potatoes with a dressing of mustard, olive oil and garlic. Sprinkle the potatoes with sliced red onions and chopped fresh herbs, such as rosemary, parsley and thyme.

Corn

• Corn is another traditional option to serve with crab legs. Grill or roast corn on the cob and top with a spicy butter mix made with chopped chipotle peppers and adobo sauce. Alternatively, serve the corn with butter and garlic salt for a milder side dish. If corn on the cob is out of season, serve canned or frozen corn with melted butter, sprinkled with salt and pepper. For a summer option, try serving a corn salad made by mixing corn kernels, chopped red onion, kidney beans and chopped jalapenos. Toss the salad with olive oil and 2 tbsp. of white wine vinegar. Add chopped cilantro and salt and pepper to finish the salad.

Vegetables

• Serve fresh and simple vegetables with your crab legs. A crudite plate is a perfect and refreshing accompaniment to the crab legs. Blanch broccoli crowns, asparagus and sugar snap peas. Toss them in an ice bath to preserve the crispiness and color then strain. Drizzle olive oil on top of the vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper. For a warm vegetable dish, steamed asparagus or broccoli topped with melted garlic butter is a tasty option. Steamed artichokes are almost as much fun to eat as the crab legs. Serve the artichokes with a bowl of melted butter with garlic.

E . Crab Leg Recipes

These crab legs recipes will help you spruce up your crab legs dinner, no matter what types of crab you are using for your dinner.We eat a lot of crab legs. Dipping them in plain old butter all the time can get old and unhealthy and does get old on the taste buds. We'll teach you how to clarify butter for a healthier and tastier alternative.Here are some healthier and tastier crab legs recipes, dips and sauces, that we have tried and loved.

• Clarified Butter

• Hollandaise Dip

• Bearnaise Dip

• Lemon Dill Dip

• Tarragon Butter Dip

• Teriyaki Dip

• Red Wine Dip

• Zesty Bar-B-Que Dip

Keep scrolling down to find more crab legs recipes below where others and you can share one. Feel free to bookmark this page for future reference and tune back in and find more as we add them to this page. We hope you like these crab legs recipes and... Enjoy your crab legs!

Clarified Butter for Crab Legs Recipes

• Using clarified butter for dipping crab legs is not only a healthier alternative to normal butter, it also keeps better and doesn't burn if you are keeping your butter dip warm with a candle warmer.

• With any amount (1 stick) of butter you want to use for dipping your crab legs into, heat this desired amount of butter in a small sauce pan until the butter is fully melted and just starting to boil.

• Turn off the heat and let stand for 10 minutes or until the milk solids and the oil has separated.

• Skim the milk solids off the top surface of the butter. You can save the milk solids to flavor vegetables or other foods.

• Slowly and carefully begin to pour off the clear "oil" until you begin to have trouble separating the oil from the remaining milk solids in the bottom of the pan.

• Use the oil to dip your crab legs in to.

Hollandaise Crab Dip

Ingedients:

• 2 Egg Yolks

• 2 Tablespoons-Cream

• 2 Tablespoons-Lemon Juice

• 2-3 Dashes-Cayenne Pepper

• 2 Dashes-Salt

• 1/2 Stick-Butter (1/2 Cup)

• Combine ingredients in medium sized sauce pan.

• Stir constantly and bring mixture to just before a boil.

• Reduce heat to low, stirring constantly till thickened.

• Serve hot.

Bearnaise Crab Dip

This Bearnaise Crab Dip is an all time favorite crab legs recipe. We prefer this any day to melted butter for dipping our crab legs in to.

Ingredients:

• Follow the recipe for Hollandaise Dip

• Few Dashes Crushed Black Pepper

• 1 1/2 Teaspoons-Tarragon

• 1 1/2 Teaspoons-Parsley

• 1 1/2 Teaspoons-Chives-finely chopped

• Blend ingredients together over low heat.

• Serve warm.

alaskan-king-crab-dinner

Lemon Dill Dip

Ingredients:

• 6 Tablespoons-Lemon Juice

• 3 Tablespoons-Olive Oil

• 3 Tablespoons-Dill Weed

• Salt and Pepper to Taste

• Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

• Serve cold, or hot by warming up in microwave for just a few seconds (10-15 seconds-max.)

Tarragon-Butter Dip

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup-Butter-melted

• 2 Tablespoons-Lemon Juice

• 1 Teaspoon-Minced Onion

• Few Dashes-Salt

• 1/2 Teaspoon-Tarragon

• Combine ingredients in sauce pan and bring to full boil, stirring constantly.

• Reduce heat for 3 minutes on low.

• Serve hot with your crab legs.

Teriyaki Dip

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup-Pineapple Juice

• 1/4 Cup-Brown Sugar

• 2 Tablespoons-Soy Sauce

• 1 Tablespoon-Olive or Salad Oil

• 3/4 Teaspoon-Ground Ginger

• 1/4 Teaspoon-Salt

• 1-Teaspoon-Minced Garlic

• Combine all ingredients, blending well in medium sized sauce pan.

• Heat to blend the flavors low to medium heat.

• Serve warm.

Red Wine Crab Dip

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup-Dry Red Wine

• 1/2 Cup-Red Wine Vinegar

• 1 Tablespoon-Shallots-minced

• 1/4 Teaspoon-Cracked Black Pepper

• Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until thoroughly heated, blend well. Serve warm.

Zesty Bar-B-Que Dip

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup-Ketchup

• 1/4 Cup-Water

• 2 Tablespoons-Vinegar

• 2 Tablespoons-Brown Sugar

• 1/2 Teaspoon-Dry Mustard

• 1 Teaspoon-Worcestershire Sauce

• 1/4 Teaspoon-Chili Powder

• 1/4 Teaspoon-Salt (optional)

• Heat all ingredients in medium sauce pan over low heat till warm; stir well.

• Serve. 

F. How to Grill Crab Legs

Crab legs are a delicious seafood treat, and they can be cooked a number of different ways. Grilling presents an exceptionally easy way to prepare crab legs quickly and with a maximum of flavor.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Grill

• Crab legs

• Olive oil or butter

Step 1

• Clean the grilling surface thoroughly, and brush with a little cooking oil. Preheat the grill to medium high.If you are using frozen crab legs, make sure they are completely thawed.

Step 2

• Take your crab legs and punch a few holes in the shell with the tip of a sharp knife. This will ensure the heat from the grill penetrates better and cooks the legs through.

Step 3

• Grilled crab legs

• Grilled crab legs

• Place the crab legs on the grill, the red (top side) of the shell facing down. Brush legs with butter/oil and cook for 5 minutes, turning once, then cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Tips And Warnings

• Crab legs are great when served with clarified butter as a sauce.

• Lemon is a good addition to any kind of seafood.

• Don't allow the shells to burn, but grilling marks are to be expected.