Need to know how to cook king crab legs? You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about cooking king crab legs.
When our Alaskan King Crab arrives at your doorstep, it will already be cooked, glazed and frozen. To keep its fresh, delicious taste, the king crab will have been cooked either on the boats or as soon as it got to land. So, you will just need to thaw the legs and reheat the crab before you start enjoying.
The first thing you should do when you get your crab legs is put the crab in the fridge to thaw overnight. The next day, it will be ready to reheat and prepare.
Cooking king crab legs isn’t difficult, and they only takes a few minutes to prepare. How you cook your king crab will depend on the flavor you want. Below we’ve listed some of the more popular ways to cook king crab. Most of these recipes are very easy to make. You only need three drops of hot sauce in butter to bring out the great taste of fresh king crab. Most of them also only need 5 to 10 minutes to warm up. Much more than that, and you risk your crab becoming overcooked. You only need to add the crab to a stew or soup for the last five minutes of cooking.
Alaskan king crab legs are a true delicacy Their sweet, succulent meat is to die for But cooking them just right can be a challenge. If you’ve got leftover king crab from a restaurant or prepared them at home, you’ll want to reheat them properly to get the same tender texture and amazing flavor.
Luckily, reheating king crab legs in the oven is easy and effective. At my food blog Reheated, we’ve tested various methods to find the best way to reheat these prized crustacean legs. I’ll walk you through exactly how to do it.
Why Reheating in the Oven Works So Well
The oven allows you to reheat crab legs evenly while avoiding undesirable textures. Stovetop reheating can produce mushy, overcooked meat and the microwave can make the meat rubbery.
The oven’s dry, ambient heat thoroughly and gently brings the crab back up to temperature. Wrapping the legs in foil helps keep moisture in so they reheat without drying out
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for foolproof reheated king crab legs every time.
Gather Your Supplies
- Alaskan king crab legs – thawed if previously frozen
- Sheet of aluminum foil
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Oven mitts or gloves for handling hot foil packets
- Seafood cracker or small hammer (optional)
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F. This medium-high temperature prevents overcooking.
Prepare the Foil Packets
Lay out a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place the king crab legs in the center.
Bring the long sides of the foil together and fold over several times to seal Then fold over the short sides to completely enclose the legs
Repeat with additional foil and crab legs until all are individually wrapped. Make sure the foil packets are tightly sealed.
Bake the Legs
Place the foil packets directly on the rimmed baking sheet. Put the pan on the middle oven rack.
Bake for 12-15 minutes. The time will vary based on amount and thickness of the legs.
Check for Doneness
Carefully open one packet and check the internal temperature of the thickest part of a leg with an instant-read thermometer. It should be 140°F. If not, reseal and bake 2-3 minutes longer.
Crack and Enjoy
Use oven mitts or gloves to remove the hot foil packets. Carefully unwrap the legs and transfer to a serving platter.
Crack the shells using a seafood cracker or small hammer. Serve immediately with melted butter for dipping.
Now you can enjoy tender, juicy king crab meat with all the rich flavor intact. The oven does the trick for reheating these indulgent legs perfectly.
Common Questions
Reheating king crab legs in the oven may seem simple, but there are some finer points that often come up.
Should the Legs Be Thawed or Frozen?
The oven reheating method works for either thawed or frozen legs. But take note:
- Thawed legs take less time to reheat, usually 12-15 minutes.
- Frozen legs require at least 25-30 minutes in the oven to heat through.
So adjust oven time accordingly. And remember to seal the foil super tightly around frozen legs to prevent moisture loss.
What Temperature Is Best?
I recommend 350°F. It’s hot enough to thoroughly reheat the crab legs in a reasonable time. But not so hot that it overcooks the meat.
Higher temperatures above 400°F can cause the meat near the ends of the legs to become dry and stringy. So I don’t advise going above 350°F.
Should You Add Seasonings or Liquid?
It’s not necessary to add any liquid or seasonings to the foil packets. The trapped steam created by the crab’s natural moisture is sufficient to reheat it.
Adding lemon, garlic, or other flavorings is an option if you want to impart more flavor. Just place the seasoned ingredients inside the packets with the legs.
How to Tell When Legs Are Done Reheating?
Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. Insert it into the thickest section of a leg without touching bone. It should reach 140°F internally.
You can also judge by texture. The meat should be hot throughout and opaque in color. It should feel firm yet tender when pressed, not mushy.
More Tips for Reheating King Crab
- Let thawed legs sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before reheating for more even heating.
- Place packets on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any leaks.
- Reheating time varies based on amount of legs, thickness, and whether thawed or frozen.
- Don’t reheat legs more than once. It can make meat soggy.
Now you’re ready to reheat Alaskan king crab legs like a pro! Follow these oven directions for tender, succulent meat with all the delicious flavor you crave. Enjoy this gourmet seafood delicacy again and again.
How to Cook Frozen Crab Legs
Most frozen crab legs are already pre-cooked so they will just need to be heated. It’s best to cook frozen crab legs by putting them in a colander or steamer over water that’s very hot. There are a few other methods as well though, which well walk you through below.
Did You Know? Fresh king crab has a shelf life of 5-7 days. If properly glazed; however, frozen king crab can last up to 12 months.
Recipe: Grilled King Crab Legs
Is it warm outside and you want to eat outside? Grilling king crab legs is a fun way to cook them. Before you grill crab legs, make sure to brush olive oil on all sides of them so they don’t stick. Then, put the crab legs on a 300° grill and cook them for five minutes. Then, flip them over and cook for another five minutes, or until they are warm all the way through. Remove from the grill and serve with butter or sauce.