Crab legs are a delicious indulgence for holidays, special events, or just a meal to treat yourself. It takes some time and effort to pick out pieces of tender meat from the long, thin legs, but you’ll probably agree that it’s well worth it. There are many ways to enjoy crab legs. Some people like to steam them and then dunk them in butter. Others like to boil the legs and use the meat for crab cakes. After paying for and preparing them, no one wants to let leftover crab legs go to waste.
However, if you’ve ever gotten food poisoning from seafood, it can be scary to know how to cook it well and reheat it safely. That’s why it’s important to know how to carefully and effectively reheat crab legs before you eat them again. And you can still enjoy leftover crab easily or put them to good use in other dishes.
Succulent crab legs are a delicious treat, but enjoying them requires a bit of prep work. The legs must be cracked open to access the sweet meat inside Many opt to purchase pre-cooked frozen crab legs to make preparation even easier Simply thaw, reheat, crack and enjoy!
However reheating pre-cooked frozen crab must be done with care to avoid overcooking. Rubbery dry crab meat is disappointing. Follow these methods to reheat frozen cooked crab legs so they come out tender and bursting with flavor.
Defrost Properly First
It’s tempting to toss frozen crab legs straight into boiling water or a hot oven, but resist that urge! Reheating frozen crab causes moisture loss, leading to dryness. Always thaw frozen legs in the refrigerator overnight first. Slow defrosting helps crab meat retain its natural juices.
Boiling is Fast But Can Overcook
Boiling is a quick and convenient crab reheating method. But brief boiling better suits small legs like snow crab. Larger king crab legs run the risk of overcooking in rapidly boiling water before the centers sufficiently heat.
When boiling any size legs, use a large pot with ample water to cover the crab. Bring to a rolling boil before adding legs. Boil only 2-3 minutes for small legs or up to 6 minutes for jumbo legs. Test doneness by prodding meat – it should be hot throughout without any icy spots. Immediately drain and serve.
Baking Evens Out Heat
For baked crab legs, choose a baking sheet with shallow sides. Legs shouldn’t be crowded together. Add 1 inch of beer, white wine or water to the pan. Tent foil over the top, sealing well but poking a few holes for ventilation.
Bake at 350°F, allowing 5 minutes for small legs and up to 8 minutes for large clusters. The steam created from liquid in the sealed pan reheats the crab gently and evenly. Test for doneness and drain pan before serving.
Steaming is The Gold Standard
Steaming is considered the best approach for reheating previously cooked crab legs. The moist heat from steam reheats crabgradually, helping retain natural juices.
Use a pot with a tight fitting lid and steaming rack. Add legs and pour in 2 inches of liquid – beer, wine, broth or seasonings like Old Bay make flavorful options. Bring to a simmer, cover, and steam for 4 to 6 minutes until fully heated. Test thickest part of meat before removing from heat.
Avoid The Microwave
It’s easiest to pop frozen crab legs in the microwave, but this technique often yields disastrous results. Microwaves create hot and cold spots, leading to uneven cooking. Crab meat overheats very quickly in the microwave, becoming tough and rubbery. Steer clear of this reheating method.
Handling Reheated Crab Legs
Once crab legs are reheated, drain immediately to halt residual cooking. Serve them as hot as possible with drawn butter, lemon wedges and dipping sauces on the side. Supply crab crackers, hammers and picks for breaking into the shells.
Be very careful when cracking cooked legs. They can shatter unpredictably due to residual steam buildup, spraying hot fragments. Cautiously crack legs starting from the thinner end, releasing pressure gradually as you work towards thicker parts.
Storage Tips
Raw, uncooked crab legs maintain top quality for about 4 months frozen. Cooked crab legs keep 2-3 months in the freezer but lose some moisture over time. Portion pre-cooked legs into meal sizes before freezing for quicker, easier thawing.
Wrap cooked crab leg clusters tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil to prevent freezer burn. Label packages with type of crab and date frozen for easy identification. Place legs on a tray for freezing to avoid freezing into a solid block.
Once thawed or reheated, eat crab legs within a couple days. The cooked meat is highly perishable. Refrigerate leftovers and reheat again just until hot. Add leftover bits of crab meat to salads, pasta and rice dishes.
Tips for Buying Frozen Crab
When purchasing pre-cooked frozen crab, read labels closely. Opt for legsfrozen right after cooking on the boat to maximize freshness. Avoid legs thawed and refrozen which lose quality.
Inspect packaging – legs should be frozen individually or in loose clusters, not a solid block. Shop carefully in the freezer case; make sure packages are securely sealed with no signs of frost or ice crystals which indicate thawing and refreezing.
High-end frozen king crab legs offer sweet flavor and large unbroken segments. For best value, buy legsalready split in half lengthwise for easier access to meat. Legs still in the shell require more prep work.
While not as meaty, smaller snow crab and Dungeness legs provide great taste at lower costs. Check for sales to find deals on frozen legs and stock up.
Make the Most of Your Crab Legs
Pre-cooked frozen crab legs provide a fabulously fast and flavorsome meal option. Handle them properly to optimize texture and taste. Thaw completely, reheat gently using steam, oven or brief boiling and serve immediately for finger-licking crab leg enjoyment!
Boil them in hot water
There are some very good ways to reheat crab legs that are similar to or the same as how you cooked them the first time. The top methods involve using more water to avoid drying out the crab meat. No one likes crab legs that are tough or chewy, which is why boiling them to heat them up is a great way to bring leftovers back to life.
According to City Fish Market, boiling crab legs is incredibly fast and easy. All you need to do is fill a large pot with enough water to cover the crab legs you want to reheat and let the water come to a boil. Once the water is hot and bubbling, submerge the crab legs in the water. It should only take up to five minutes for the crab legs to get heat through. And once they are, it is time to dig in.
Steam them in a large pot
A similar method to boiling crab legs for reheating is to steam them in a pot instead. Steaming crab legs is almost exactly like boiling them, but this technique requires a lot less water. What’s great about this method is that the crab legs only need a few minutes to warm up everything.
According to Cooking Chew, all you need to do is fill just enough water inside a steamer pot or a pot outfitted with a metal colander to hold the legs. Be sure to cover the bottom of the pot with a couple of inches of water. Cooking Chew also recommends using beer for added flavor. You could also incorporate other liquids to flavor the crab legs, such as sherry, white wine, or broth. Once the liquid begins to boil, place the crab legs over the water and cover. Let the legs steam for up to five minutes, then serve and enjoy.
Reheating King Crab Legs
How do you reheat crab legs in a steamer?
Fill your steamer’s pot with water — just ensure it doesn’t touch the bottom of the basket. Place the basket over the pot and cover it to allow the water to boil. Place the crab legs in the basket and cover with a lid. It should take about 6 to 8 minutes for your meal to reheat.
How to reheat store-bought crab legs?
1. Here’s what you need to do to reheat store-bought crab legs: 2. Fill the bottom basket of a steamer with equal parts water and beer (for a flavor boost) or just room temperature water. 3. Place the steamer on a stovetop, cover it with the lid, and turn the heat on so that the water can boil on high flame. 4.
How do you cook defrosted crab legs?
Ensure your crab legs are thawed completely before use. Fill a large stock pot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Add the defrosted crab legs to the pot, submerging completely. Cover the pot and cook for 4-5 minutes depending on size. Remove from water, and serve with melted butter and lemon wedges.
How do you reheat crab legs in the oven?
How to reheat crab legs in the oven You can also reheat crab legs in an oven. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Place the washed crab legs in a glass baking dish. 3. Pour half an inch of water so that it can sit at the bottom of the dish. 4. Add in peeled garlic and herbs for additional flavor.