A tasty meal is as easy as baking crab legs, and it doesn’t take long at all. Some salt, aluminum foil, and a baking dish are all you’ll need to bake king crab legs in the oven. (We love lemon slices, herbs, or garlic. ).
Remember that the Alaskan king crab legs will already be cooked, glazed, and frozen when they get to your door. Your crab legs were either cooked right on the fishing boat where they were caught in the Bering Sea or as soon as they got to land. This is how the fresh taste is kept. So all you have to do when they get to your kitchen is thaw and cook the crab legs.
FIRST STEP: Let the crab legs thaw in the fridge for 8 to 12 hours or overnight, no matter how you’re cooking them. Once they’ve thawed, you can keep your king crab legs in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. It’s possible to freeze them for up to a year because of the glaze we use, so you don’t have to thaw and cook them right away.
STEP THREE: Place the king crab legs in your baking dish with whatever additional flavors you want. Lemon goes well with the light, buttery taste of crab legs, but garlic cloves and thyme also taste great together. Choose whichever your taste buds tell you!.
FIRST STEP: Add about 1/8 inch of hot water to the pan’s bottom. Then, tightly cover the dish with aluminum foil. Don’t forget to cover! This will help make steam that will keep the crab legs from getting dry.
Then it’s time to crack them. Take them out of the oven, leave them alone, and let them cool for a few minutes. We believe crab legs are best served with melted butter, cold beer and a whole crew of friends.
King crab legs are a delicious treat that many seafood lovers enjoy. Their sweet, succulent meat and satisfying crunch make them a favorite at restaurants and dinner tables But before you can dig into these tasty crustacean appendages, you have to cook them properly first. A common question people have is can you heat king crab legs in the oven? The short answer is yes, you absolutely can heat pre-cooked king crab legs in the oven!
Heating king crab legs in the oven is one of the easiest and most effective cooking methods. It allows you to reheat multiple crab legs at once while infusing them with extra flavor. In this detailed guide, I’ll walk through the steps on how to properly heat king crab legs in the oven, from start to finish.
Benefits of Cooking King Crab Legs in the Oven
There are several advantages to heating king crab legs in the oven compared to other cooking methods:
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Even heating: The oven distributes heat evenly around the crab legs, ensuring they heat all the way through. No cold spots!
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Flavor infusion: You can add seasonings and aromatics like lemon, garlic, and herbs to give a flavor boost.
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Easy batch cooking The oven allows you to heat multiple servings of crab all at once, Perfect for dinner parties!
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Mess containment: Containing the crab legs in a baking sheet keeps any drips or mess in one place for easy cleanup.
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Hands-off: Simply place the crab legs in the oven, set a timer, and go hands-off until they’re ready.
Step-by-Step Guide to Heating King Crab Legs in the Oven
Follow these simple steps for perfectly heated king crab legs straight from your oven:
1. Thaw the Crab Legs
King crab legs should be thawed before cooking. To safely thaw:
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Place legs in a container and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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Submerge sealed legs in cold water and change water every 30 minutes until thawed.
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Microwave legs on defrost setting if sealed in a plastic bag.
2. Prepare the Baking Sheet
Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. The raised edges will contain any juices released while cooking.
3. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure the crab legs heat through fully.
4. Arrange the Crab Legs
Arrange the thawed crab legs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t overcrowded.
5. Season the Crab Legs (Optional)
For extra flavor, brush the crab legs with melted butter or olive oil. Season with Old Bay, lemon pepper, garlic powder, or your favorite spices.
6. Bake the Crab Legs
Bake the king crab legs for 10-15 minutes, depending on amount and size. Check frequently to avoid overcooking.
7. Finish with a Broil (Optional)
For bubbling, browned butter and slight char, broil crab for 2-3 minutes at the very end. Watch closely to avoid burning.
8. Enjoy Immediately
Remove legs from oven and serve piping hot with lemon wedges, garlic aioli, or melted butter for dipping. Be careful, the shells will be extremely hot!
Tips for Heating King Crab Legs
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For food safety, king crab legs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Resist the urge to overcrowd. Too many legs will steam instead of bake evenly.
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Meat closest to body may take longer to heat. Cut legs in half lengthwise if very thick.
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Add broth, wine, or citrus juice to pan for extra moisture and flavor infusion.
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Cover pan with foil at first, then uncover halfway through to brown and crisp.
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Reheating pre-cooked legs takes 10-15 minutes max. Don’t over bake.
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Use a meat thermometer to check temperature, especially for very large legs.
Can You Cook Raw King Crab Legs in the Oven?
The oven can be used to cook raw, uncooked king crab legs but it will take much longer – up to 45 minutes at 375°F. Raw legs should be seasoned and arranged in a single layer with space between each one. Pour some liquid like wine or broth in the bottom of the pan. Cover loosely with foil at first, then uncover to brown. Cook until opaque and flaky, checking internal temperature.
Serving Reheated Oven-Baked Crab Legs
Once your king crab legs are piping hot out of the oven, it’s time to serve these succulent seafood treats. Here are some delicious ways to serve reheated oven-baked crab legs:
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Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley.
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Make garlic herb butter for dipping.
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Drizzle with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and sea salt.
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Pair with roasted asparagus and lemon rice pilaf.
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Serve with creamy coleslaw, cornbread, and roasted potatoes.
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Toss with linguine, white wine, Parmesan, and herbs.
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Pile legs on a platter with roasted veggies and aioli.
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Add to a seafood bake with shrimp, mussels, and chorizo.
However you choose to serve them, oven-baked king crab legs make for an easy, foolproof dinner. Just remember to provide crab cracking tools, appetizer forks, and plenty of napkins!
Storing Leftover King Crab Legs
For food safety reasons, properly stored leftovers should be eaten within 3-4 days. To store leftover baked king crab legs:
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Allow cooked legs to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container.
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Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Do not freeze reheated crab legs.
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To reheat, place in a 375°F oven for 5-10 minutes until hot. Or steam over boiling water.
With this handy guide, you can confidently heat succulent king crab legs to tender perfection right in your oven. Surprise your family or guests with hot, juicy king crab baked in the oven. Just sit back and enjoy as the flavors and aromas fill your kitchen. Stop wondering “can you heat king crab legs in the oven?” and start making these royal crustaceans part of your seafood spread today!
Sourced Straight from Sea to Table
Sourced through trusted experts and chosen for taste, texture and quality.
Flash frozen to lock in the fresh-off-the-dock taste.
Packaged with dry ice and shipped overnight directly to your door.
Simply thaw, prep, heat, and eat.
Reheating King Crab Legs
How to cook crab legs in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 375F. While you wait, like the crab legs on a rimmed baking sheet, and then melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Add lemon juice, olive oil, Old Bay season, and minced garlic to the melted butter and whisk. Divide the sauce and keep half aside for dipping.
How do you cook king crab legs?
Before you start cooking, make sure your crab legs are completely thawed. Place them in the refrigerator overnight or run them under cold water for 15-20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F. This is the optimal temperature for cooking king crab legs. Place your crab legs on a baking sheet.
How do you cook a king crab in the oven?
The best way to prepare king crab in the oven is to start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, place the king crab legs on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Should I thaw the king crab before cooking it in the oven? It is generally recommended to thaw king crab before cooking it in the oven.
Can you cook Alaskan king crab legs in the oven?
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.) Keep in mind that when your Alaskan king crab legs show up at your door, they have already been cooked, glazed, and frozen.