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.
We’re letting you in on a little-known hack for cooking crab legs – use your microwave! While other cooking methods like boiling or steaming can dry out or dilute the flavor of precooked crab legs, the microwave perfectly reheats them to bring out their full taste and texture.
I’ve done thorough research using authoritative sources like Cameron’s Seafood and microwave cooking videos to provide a complete guide to microwaving crab legs. Follow these simple steps and tips to enjoy tender, succulent crab legs straight from your microwave.
Can You Really Microwave Crab Legs?
Yes, you absolutely can microwave precooked frozen crab legs to reheat them In fact, the microwave is the ideal cooking method for crab legs since other techniques can draw out moisture or overcook the meat
Crab legs available in stores are already fully cooked. Flash freezing preserves freshness. So microwaving just thaws and evenly reheats crab to serve. It brings out the natural sweetness without compromising texture.
Benefits of Microwaving vs. Other Cooking Methods
Microwaving offers advantages over other common crab leg cooking techniques
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Boiling: Boiling leaches flavor and can make meat soggy.
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Steaming: Steaming uses indirect heat so takes longer and can dry out meat.
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Grilling: Grilling exposes meat to high heat unevenly so risks overcooking.
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Microwaving: Microwaves heat gently and evenly throughout, preventing moisture loss.
Step-by-Step Guide to Microwaving Crab Legs
Follow this simple step-by-step guide to microwaving crab legs for tender, juicy results:
1. Thaw frozen crab legs
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Thaw legs overnight in the refrigerator.
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If short on time, hold under cold running water to thaw quickly.
2. Prepare for microwaving
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Place legs in a microwave-safe dish. Cut in half if needed to fit.
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Add 1 tbsp water per 8 oz crab.
3. Microwave
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Cook king crab legs 6-8 minutes per 1 lb.
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Cook snow crab legs 1.5 minutes per serving.
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Rotate dish halfway through for even cooking.
4. Check doneness
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Meat should be hot and opaque throughout when done.
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Check thick parts of legs by piercing meat with a knife tip.
Microwaving Tips for Perfect Crab Legs
Follow these pro tips when microwaving crab for the best results:
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Don’t overcrowd. Arrange crab legs so there is space between for even cooking.
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Shield ends. Tuck leg ends under to prevent overcooking.
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Pierce shells. Poke a few small holes in shell tops to allow steam to escape.
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Flip halfway. Rotate legs midway for balanced heating.
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Add seasonings after. Wait to add lemon, garlic butter, etc. after microwaving.
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Let stand 2 minutes. Allow crab legs to rest before opening shell to finish cooking.
Common Microwaving Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t make these common errors when microwaving crab legs:
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Microwaving still frozen legs – always thaw first.
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Overcooking – stick to recommended times.
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Not rotating legs – leads to uneven cooking.
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Crowding legs – causes uneven heating.
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Not poking vent holes – can split shells from steam buildup.
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Adding butter or sauce before – causes boiling over or uneven heating.
Recipes for Delicious Microwaved Crab Legs
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try these tasty recipes to dress up your microwaved crab legs:
Easy Garlic Butter Crab Legs
Melt butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley and pepper in a bowl. Microwave legs as directed. Brush with garlic butter mix and enjoy!
Old Bay and Butter Crab Legs
Stir Old Bay seasoning into melted butter. Microwave legs and dip in spiced butter for a classic crab flavor.
Crab Leg Lettuce Wraps
Chop cooked crab leg meat. Toss with diced mango, avocado, red onion, cilantro and lime juice. Wrap in lettuce leaves.
How to Buy Crab Legs for Microwaving
Look for high-quality crab legs suitable for microwaving:
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Types: King, snow and Dungeness all work well.
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Grade: Go for Grade A for plump, unbroken legs.
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Size: Choose larger legs with thick meat for easy shelling after cooking.
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Source: Wild-caught Alaskan is best. Or buy fresh legs on ice vs. frozen.
With this complete guide, you can skip fussing with pots and pans and enjoy tender, juicy crab legs microwaved right from your freezer. Ditch steaming and boiling forever, and take advantage of this quick and easy cooking secret for seafood success!
Place them in the oven
If you want to keep your crab legs whole and are afraid you won’t be able to fit them all in a pot to steam, you could reheat the legs in the oven. The crab legs would get dry if you just put them in the oven, but there is a way to steam them in a pan instead of on the stove.
According to Cooking Chew, you can lay crab legs in a baking dish filled with just ½ an inch of water in the oven to steam the legs whole. You can also add your favorite seasonings to the water for added flavor. Once you have the crab legs prepared in the dish and the oven is preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, cover the dish with foil and place it in the oven. Within 20 minutes, the crab legs should be ready to eat.
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.
YES, You can MICROWAVE crab legs #shorts
FAQ
Is it safe to microwave crab legs?
Can you heat up already cooked crab legs?
How long do you microwave king crab?
How to prepare cooked frozen crab legs?
How long do crab legs last in the fridge?
Thaw your crab legs in the fridge for 8-12 hours before you are planning on cooking them in the microwave. If you are running short on time, you can run the legs under cold water to help thaw them faster. The crab legs will last in the fridge for up to 2 days, but the faster you reheat them after thawing, the better they are going to taste.
Can You microwave crab legs?
There are two primary ways of microwaving crab legs. First, you can transfer a bundle of crab legs to a microwave-safe dish and then add the necessary amount of water. Typically, every eight ounces of crab legs will need one tablespoon of water. Without covering the dish, microwave the crab legs for up to eight minutes or until cooked.
Can king crab legs be microwaved?
To do so, transfer the king crab legs to a microwave-safe dish, add a small amount of water, and microwave for three to four minutes on high heat. Normally, one tablespoon of water per eight ounces of king crab legs will be enough to steam the king crab legs through and through. Can You Microwave Snow Crab Legs?
Can You thaw crab legs in the microwave?
If you are short on time, you can thaw crab legs in the microwave in less than five minutes. Typically, a bundle of crab legs can thaw completely within just two minutes. To avoid cooking the crab meat during this process, always use low heat. Moreover, it is better to utilize the defrost setting of your microwave if available.