A Pound of King Crab Legs: Your Guide to Buying, Cooking and Enjoying Alaskan King Crab

With their succulent, sweet meat and impressive size, king crab legs are a prized seafood delicacy. But if you’re new to cooking them at home, you might wonder – how much should I buy? Buying and cooking a pound of king crab legs is a great place to start for a meal for two or an appetizer for four.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying preparing and serving a pound of delicious king crab legs.

An Overview of King Crab Legs

King crab legs come from the largest species of crab in the world They are caught wild in the cold, pristine waters of Alaska

Some key facts about king crab legs:

• Weighing up to 25 pounds, they are much larger than other crab species.

• The long, thick legs are filled with sweet, succulent white meat.

• Bright red shells turn orange when cooked.

• Frozen legs can be shipped nationwide.

With their impressive size and delectable flavor, it’s no wonder king crab is a favorite seafood dish.

How Much Meat is in a Pound of King Crab Legs?

A pound of king crab legs contains about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of edible crab meat. Since the weight includes shells, a pound provides a generous portion for 2-3 people.

The amount of meat also depends on the size of legs:

• Jumbo legs (7-9 oz each) have the most meat
• Extra large (4-7 oz) and large (4-6 oz) have slightly less
• Medium (3-4 oz) have the least per leg

No matter the size, a pound gives you plenty of sweet crab to enjoy!

Buying a Pound of King Crab Legs

When purchasing king crab legs, you have two options – buy them raw or precooked:

Raw legs must be cooked before eating. Buying raw allows you to cook them just how you prefer. Check for firmness and leg movement to ensure freshness.

Precooked legs are ready to heat and eat. They are cooked right on the fishing boats before rapid freezing to lock in flavor. Precooked legs make preparation easy.

You can find king crab legs in the seafood section of some grocery stores. But for the best quality and selection, order online and have them shipped overnight.

Reputable retailers like Alaska King Crab direct and Pike Place Fish Market offer overnight shipping of fresh frozen legs right to your door. Order a pound or more for your next crab feast!

How to Prepare and Cook a Pound of King Crab Legs

Preparing a pound of crab legs takes just a few simple steps:

1. Thaw: For frozen legs, thaw overnight in the fridge or immerse in cold water for 30-60 minutes until thawed.

2. Clean: Use kitchen shears to cut away any soft shell or extra leg parts. Rinse under cold water.

3. Cook: For precooked legs, just steam, bake or grill 3-4 minutes until heated through. For raw legs, boil or steam 8-10 minutes until the shell turns bright orange.

4. Crack and Enjoy: Use a mallet or shears to crack the shell and pull out the luscious meat. Dip in melted butter and savor!

It only takes 10-15 minutes of active prep time – the rest is thawing and cooking. Simple and delicious!

Cooking Methods for King Crab Legs

There are several excellent cooking methods to choose from for prepping your pound of king crab legs.

Steaming

Steaming is a fast, easy method. Place legs in a single layer in a steaming basket or colander. Steam over boiling water for 3-4 minutes (precooked) or 8-10 minutes (raw) depending on size.

Boiling

For raw legs, boiling cooks them quickly. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add legs and boil 8-10 minutes. Drain and serve.

Baking

For oven roasting, place legs on a baking sheet. Brush with butter or oil if desired. Bake at 375°F for 8-12 minutes until shell turns orange.

Grilling

Grill raw or precooked legs over direct high heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Baste with sauce glaze if desired. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.

Any method yields tender, delicious crab – just avoid overcooking. Check for doneness by looking for an orange shell or testing meat for opacity.

Serving a Pound of King Crab Legs

A pound of king crab legs makes for an impressive presentation at dinner. Here are some serving tips:

• Arrange the legs on a platter or individual plates. Provide crackers, picks and small hammers to break open the shell.

• Offer melted butter, lemon wedges and seafood sauce for dipping.

• Pair with corn on the cob and roasted potatoes or rice pilaf.

• Chilled white wine or wheat beer make excellent beverage pairings.

A pound feeds 2-3 people as an entree or 4 people as an appetizer. Let guests crack and enjoy the sweet crab meat at its freshest!

Get Creative with a Pound of King Crab Legs

Beyond traditional steaming and cracking, a pound of crab legs gives you ample meat to work with in recipes:

• Crab cakes – Mix 8 oz. lump crab meat with breadcrumbs, egg, mayo, spices. Pan fry into cakes.

• Crab salad – Gently fold crab meat with celery, peppers, fresh dill, lemon juice and mayo. Chill.

• Crab dip – Combine 8 oz. crab with cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan, onion and old bay seasoning. Bake until bubbly.

• Crab stuffed mushrooms – Fill mushroom caps with crab, bread crumbs, garlic and cheese. Bake at 400°F until tender.

Let your creativity run wild with these succulent crab legs!

Storing Leftover King Crab

Got leftovers after enjoying your pound of legs? Refrigerate the uneaten crab meat in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Use in crab cakes, dips, salads or sandwiches.

The frozen legs themselves will keep 6-9 months in the freezer. Just thaw again when you are ready for more juicy king crab!

A Delicious Pound of King Crab Legs

Treat yourself to a pound of magnificent king crab legs for your next special occasion. Follow these tips for buying, preparing and serving Alaska’s finest delicacy. Your guests will be impressed and delighted by these tender, sweet morsels from the sea. Crack open an ice-cold beer, dip the meat in melted butter and savor the sublime flavor of king crab!