Steamed in the oven with wine and lemon is the best way to cook king crab legs. Once they are done, cut them open to see the sweet, juicy crab meat inside. It’s very simple to make, only takes 25 minutes, and goes great with my rich and creamy garlic butter seafood sauce!
King crab legs are a delicious and impressive seafood choice. Their sweet, succulent meat is rich in flavor and texture. While many people boil crab legs, baking them is an easy alternative that results in tender, flaky crab meat with enhanced flavor.
In this article, we’ll walk through the simple process of how to bake king crab legs so they turn out juicy and delicious every time. We’ll also discuss the advantages of baking vs boiling, along with tips, tricks and recipe recommendations to help you make perfect baked crab legs
Why Bake Instead of Boil?
Baking crab legs provides a few key advantages over boiling
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Enhanced flavor – Baking allows you to add seasonings and compound butter that permeates the crab meat for fuller flavor. Boiling dilutes seasonings.
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Moisture retention – The dry heat of baking locks in juices vs. boiling where moisture can be lost.
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Less messy – With boiling, handling wet crab legs can get messy. Baking contains drips.
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Hands-off – Simply place crab legs on a sheet pan and bake. No need to monitor a pot.
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More oven space – You can bake multiple trays at once vs. a pot with limited capacity.
Step-By-Step Guide to Baked King Crab Legs
Baking king crab legs is simple. Follow these easy steps for tender, flaky crab legs every time.
Ingredients
- King crab legs, frozen or thawed
- Melted butter
- Seasonings like lemon juice, garlic, parsley, Old Bay
- Foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup
Directions
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with foil or parchment paper.
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Arrange frozen or thawed king crab legs on pan. Frozen legs may need a few extra minutes of bake time.
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In a small bowl, combine melted butter with desired seasonings. garlic, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, parsley, etc.
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Brush king crab legs generously with seasoned butter mixture.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes until opaque and flaky. Brush with butter 2-3 times during baking.
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Serve immediately, providing crab crackers and picks for getting the meat out of the shells. Dip legs into any remaining seasoned butter.
And that’s it! As you can see, baking king crab legs is an easy “set it and forget it” cooking method for tender, juicy crab meat.
Tips for Baked King Crab Legs
Follow these tips for ensuresuccess when baking crab legs:
- If using frozen legs, thaw first for more even cooking.
- Arrange legs in a single layer on pan to prevent overcrowding.
- Brush with butter multiple times during baking for maximum flavor and moisture.
- Check for doneness at 15 minutes. Bake longer if needed.
- Use heavy duty crackers and picks to get all the sweet meat out.
- Provide lidded containers for any leftover crab meat.
Recommended Recipes
While simply baking legs with butter, lemon and Old Bay is delicious, you can take the experience up a notch with these recommended recipes:
Easy Baked King Crab Legs
This easy recipe from Zona Cooks combines melted butter with Old Bay, lemon, garlic, and olive oil for a stellar seasoned butter that permeates the crab as it bakes.
Crabs – Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs
From Food.com, this is another amazing baked crab legs recipe featuring a garlic butter sauce with lemon, lime and parsley.
Both recipes result in tender, flaky, and flavorful baked king crab legs that will impress any crowd. The recipes can also be doubled or tripled as needed for feeding more people.
Let’s Get Baking!
As you can see, baking king crab legs is an easy, foolproof cooking method that results in succulent crab meat with fantastic flavor. Compared to boiling, baking seals in moisture and allows seasoning to infuse the crab better.
With a simple recipe like garlic butter or Old Bay legs and following the step-by-step baking directions, anyone can make tender, juicy baked king crab legs. Use the tips above to ensure baking success.
Baked crab legs make for an impressive yet easy meal for date nights, holidays, or anytime you want to indulge. Just pop them in the oven, sit back, and soon you’ll be cracking into tender, sweet crab meat brimming with flavor.
What are you waiting for? Give baking king crab legs a try soon and taste the difference from boiling. Let us know how it goes in the comments!
Thick and Creamy Garlic Butter Seafood Sauce
- Unsalted Butter
- White Wine
- Minced Garlic
- Herbs: I like to use fresh thyme, but you can also use dried. Just keep in mind that dried herbs have a stronger flavor, so use about half as much dried as you would fresh herbs.
- Lemon Juice and Zest
- Chicken Broth
- Heavy cream gives our creamy sauce added richness and helps it stay thick.
- Shallots – you can also use a small yellow onion
- Salt and Pepper
Make the Seafood Sauce
Step 1: Put the white wine, grated shallots, garlic, lemon zest, and thyme leaves in a medium saucepan. Add a tablespoon of butter and melt it down.
Step 2 | Add a little chicken broth and lemon juice, then reduce it down half way. This intensifies the flavors, dont skip it.
Step 3: Add the heavy cream and whisk in the rest of the cold butter one tablespoon at a time until the sauce gets thicker but still stays very creamy. Then taste and season and youre done!.
King Crab Legs Baked, Grilled or Steamed – PoorMansGourmet
FAQ
Is it better to boil or bake king crab legs?
How long do you keep king crab legs in the oven?
Are crab legs good in the oven?
Can You bake king crab legs?
Baking crab legs is a super simple way to achieve a flavorful feast — and it doesn’t take long at all. All you’ll need to bake king crab legs in the oven is a baking dish, aluminum foil, and your preferred seasoning. (We love lemon slices, herbs, or garlic.)
How do you cook crab legs on a baking sheet?
Place the crab legs on top of a large baking sheet, lined with aluminum foil. Brush the butter mixture over the crab legs with a pastry brush. Feel free to add extra Old Bay seasoning here! Next, tent another piece of foil on top of the baking sheet, securing at the left and right ends of the pan.
How long do you cook crab legs in a pan?
If desired, line the pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Brush the crab legs with olive oil or melted butter, then sprinkle with your desired seasonings. Bake the crab legs for 12-15 minutes, or until heated through. Serve hot with lemon wedges and additional melted butter or butter sauce, if desired.
How do you reheat king crab legs?
To reheat crab legs in the shell, preheat your oven to 350F degrees, wrap the crab legs in foil and bake for 15-20 minutes. To reheat crab meat, add to a hot skillet and saute for 3 minutes or until warmed through. Learn how to make king crab legs in the oven! This simple recipe is the easiest way to enjoy crab legs in under 30 minutes!