There are three easy ways to cook crab legs: boiling, steaming, and baking. In less than 10 minutes, each method will give you perfectly warmed crab meat. There are also lots of tips in this post on how to choose and cook the most common types of crab legs.
Fresh crab is every seafood lover’s dream. And the good news is that crab is super easy to cook at home. Why? Because the crab you purchase from your local fishmonger is already pre-cooked and frozen. Many people don’t realize this. But crab is immediately cooked and flash-frozen to preserve its freshness when it’s caught. That means all you have to do to cook crab is warm up the legs, which only takes a few minutes!
You can dip crab in a tasty sauce (I’ll talk more about that below), or you can use fresh crab as a protein in crab salad, bowls, and other things. It’s easy to make a crab boil dinner that looks fancy but is actually very simple because the crab is already cooked.
With their sweet delicate flavor and meaty texture crab legs make for an indulgent meal. But before you can enjoy them, you first need to cook them properly, especially if working with frozen crab legs. Don’t let a frozen state intimidate you. You can easily cook frozen crab legs with a few tips and tricks for tender, flaky results.
Should You Cook Crab Legs Frozen or Thawed?
You have two options when it comes to preparing frozen crab legs
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Cook them straight from frozen.
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Thaw them first before cooking.
Most seafood experts recommend thawing frozen crab legs before cooking. Thawing helps ensure the crab legs cook evenly all the way through. The meat cooks at the same rate as the shell instead of the outside cooking faster than the inside.
Cooking crab legs frozen can lead to meat that’s stuck to the shell, overcooked outsides with icy centers, and interrupted seasonings
That said, you can successfully cook frozen crab legs as long as you take precautions. Use lower heat, increase cook times, watch them carefully, and expect some inconsistencies.
So for the best results, thawing first is ideal. But cooking from frozen is doable with some adjustments.
How to Safely Thaw Frozen Crab Legs
Thawing frozen crab legs allows for even cooking and seasoning absorption. Here are some safe ways to thaw crab legs:
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Refrigerator: Place legs in a bowl or pan and thaw overnight in the fridge. Legs will be ready in 10-24 hours.
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Cold Water: Submerge packaged legs in a bowl or sink of cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes. Legs thaw in 1-2 hours.
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Microwave: Microwave legs at 30% power for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway. Check often to avoid cooking.
Once crab legs are thawed, they should be cooked immediately rather than refrozen. Look for the following signs they are ready to cook:
- Meat feels limp and soft when pressing the shell.
- Joints and shell move freely and bend easily.
- Color appears more opaque than icy or glazed.
The best test is to try gently pulling the shell apart – thawed meat will start easily peeling away from the shell.
How to Cook Thawed Frozen Crab Legs
Preparing thawed crab legs helps ensure ideal texture and moisture. Follow these steps:
1. Choose Your Cooking Method
You can cook thawed crab legs many ways, including:
- Boiling
- Steaming
- Grilling
- Baking
- Sautéing or stir frying
Boiling and steaming are the most common. Both infuse flavor while heating the crab gently to prevent drying out.
Grilling lends a smoky note while baking locks in juices. Sautéing gives a quick sear.
2. Season the Water (for Boiling or Steaming)
For boiling or steaming, season the cooking liquid well so flavors penetrate the crab. Good options include:
- Old Bay seasoning
- Lemon, garlic, herbs
- Aromatics like sliced ginger or lemongrass
- White wine or vinegar
- Spicy mixes with red pepper flakes and coriander
Allow seasonings to simmer 5 minutes to infuse flavors before adding crab.
3. Cook Thawed Legs 5-8 Minutes
Once your seasoning base comes to a boil, add thawed legs. Cook just until opaque and flaky:
- Boiling or steaming: 5-8 minutes
- Grilling: 2-3 minutes per side
- Baking: 10 minutes at 400°F
- Sautéing: 60-90 seconds per side
Rotate or flip legs halfway through for even exposure. Test doneness by poking meat – it should start flaking apart.
4. Finish with Flavorings
After cooking, toss legs in extra seasonings:
- Melted butter or olive oil
- Fresh lemon or lime juice
- Minced garlic, parsley or green onion
- Spice mixes like Old Bay
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Dip cooked meat in flavored butters, aioli or sauce for even more flavor.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Crab Legs
While thawing first is best, you can steam, boil or bake frozen crab legs with a few adjustments:
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Use lower temperature settings when possible to gently heat legs from frozen state.
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Increase overall cook times, starting with 10-15 minutes for boiling or steaming.
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Watch legs closely and check often for doneness to avoid overcooking.
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Expect meat near body and smaller joints to be undercooked while meat in legs overcooks.
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Accept that flavorings will not penetrate as deeply into frozen meat.
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Be prepared for meat sticking to shells more than thawed legs.
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Let legs rest 2-3 minutes after cooking before cracking open to allow heat to evenly distribute.
Serving Up Your Cooked Crab Legs
Once your crab legs are cooked, follow these tips for serving:
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Crack shells using a mallet, shrimp fork or your hands. Start at joints for easy access.
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Provide small forks or picks for pulling out crab meat in pieces.
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Have lemon wedges, flavored butters, aioli or dipping sauces for drizzling over meat.
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Keep cooked legs warm by holding in a 200°F oven in a covered pan until ready to serve.
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For peak freshness, enjoy crab legs immediately after cooking. Meat will start to dry out once cracked open.
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Refrigerate any uneaten leftover meat in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Now that you know how to cook frozen crab to tender perfection, you can enjoy this seashore delicacy anytime! Just remember to thaw first or adjust cook times and seasoning when working with fully frozen crab legs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Frozen Crab Legs
How long does it take to cook frozen crab legs?
Cooking times will depend on whether legs are thawed or still frozen. Thawed legs take 5-8 minutes to boil or steam. Frozen legs will need nearly double the time, around 10-15 minutes. Always check doneness before removing from heat.
Can you cook and eat frozen crab legs?
It’s possible to cook crab legs directly frozen but not ideal. The outside of the legs will overcook before the inside thaws. Preferably, thaw legs first in the refrigerator overnight before cooking for the best texture.
Do you have to thaw frozen crab legs before cooking?
Thawing before cooking is strongly recommended but not absolutely necessary. Thawed legs cook more evenly all the way through. Frozen legs run higher risks of uneven cooking and meat sticking to the shells.
How do you know when frozen crab legs are done?
Check doneness of crab legs by poking the meat. It should flake apart and start peeling away from the shell easily when fully cooked. The meat will turn from translucent to solid white opaque. Shells near the body will start splitting open on their own.
Can I re-freeze crab legs after thawing?
Once thawed, raw crab legs should be cooked rather than refrozen for food safety. Freezing, thawing, and refreezing crab allows bacteria to multiply to unsafe levels. Cook thawed legs immediately for best quality and safety.
Ready to Cook Frozen Crab Legs?
Cooking frozen crab legs intimidates many home cooks. But as you can see, perfectly tender crab is easy with a few simple guidelines. The key steps are thawing completely, choosing a gentle cook method, and allowing extra time if cooking frozen.
In just minutes, you can impress your guests with succulent crab legs boiled, steamed, baked or grilled to sweet, flaky perfection. Even cooking straight from the freezer can work in a pinch.
So don’t be afraid to grab those frozen crab leg clusters, king crab, or snow crab next time you spot them on sale. With this handy guide, you’ll be enjoying delicious restaurant-quality crab cooked right in your own kitchen.
How To Eat Crab Legs
While you may need a crab cracker to break open King crab and Dungeness crab legs, your hands are likely all you’ll need for Snow crab. Just break the crab leg at the joint, then press down with your thumb to crack open the middle of the leg shell. Pull off one side of the shell and you should be able to pull the crab meat right out.
- To serve, have a sauce for dipping, lemon wedges for squeezing lemon juice on top, and maybe a pinch of old bay spice. For an easy and tasty way to enjoy fresh crab legs and bring out their natural flavor, try this recipe! You could also save the crab meat and make these crab-stuffed mushrooms for the best holiday appetizer!
- For the crab dipping sauce, melt unsalted butter in a small bowl and mix in fresh garlic, lemon juice, and salt. This easy mix goes well with any seafood, but it goes especially well with fresh crab. Reference the above for dipping sauce ingredients!.
How To Cook Crab Legs (3 Ways)
There’s no one best way to cook crab legs, it’s more so preference with the methods below. Just keep in mind that you can overcook crab legs where the meat will become rubbery. So stick to the timings below.
Boiling Crab Legs: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Put the crab legs in the pot. If necessary, gently bend the joints to make sure the legs are completely submerged in water. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they’re heated through.
Put an inch of water in a large pot and put a steamer basket on top of it. This is how you steam crab legs. Bring the water to a boil. In the basket, put the crab legs. Steam them for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they’re hot all the way through.
Baked Crab Legs: 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 size), or until they’re heated through.
