With some butter and lemon juice, crab legs are filled with soft white meat that tastes great. Here in New England, we can enjoy both King Crab legs and Snow Crab legs. King Crab legs are the most popular. These large crustaceans have long meaty legs. Snow Crabs are smaller but equally tasty. Their shorter legs are filled with meat that has a sweeter flavor.
You should get one pound of crab legs for each person when you go to a fish market or seafood market near you. Keep in mind that, once crab legs are thawed, they should be prepared and eaten within two days.
Crab legs are a delicious treat that many seafood lovers enjoy. However, when it comes to preparing them, a common question arises – do you need to thaw crab legs before steaming them? The answer is not simply a yes or no. There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to thaw frozen crab legs before cooking. In this article, I’ll provide a detailed guide to thawing and steaming crab legs, so you can enjoy perfect crab every time!
An Overview of Frozen Crab Legs
Frozen crab legs available at the grocery store are usually pre-cooked. This preserves maximum freshness and flavor, as live crabs decay rapidly after being caught. Pre-cooking also kills any bacteria, allowing the crab to be safely frozen and shipped long distances. Popular varieties include king crab, snow crab, and Dungeness crab.
The main thing to know is that frozen crab legs are already cooked. So you simply need to reheat them gently to avoid drying out the delicate meat. If you boil or steam too long they will become rubbery.
Thawing Options for Frozen Crab Legs
Thawing is optional with pre-cooked frozen crab. You can steam or boil straight from frozen. But thawing first allows more even cooking. Here are some recommended thawing techniques:
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Refrigerator Thaw: Place legs in a bowl and leave in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. This is the safest approach, maintaining low temperatures.
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Cold Water Thaw: Submerge legs in a sink or large bowl filled with cold tap water. Change water every 30 minutes. This takes 1-2 hours for most packages.
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Microwave Thaw: Microwave legs in 30 second bursts, flipping occasionally. Use this for only small amounts, as it can cook meat.
I prefer refrigerator thawing when time allows, to prevent any partial cooking. For a quicker thaw, cold water works well. Microwaving is risky but can work in a pinch. Just be very careful not to partially cook the meat.
How to Steam Crab Legs – With or Without Thawing
Steaming is one of the easiest, foolproof ways to prepare crab legs, whether frozen or thawed Here is a simple steaming method
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Fill a large pot with 2-3 inches of water and bring to a boil.
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Prepare a steamer basket or insert by spraying lightly with cooking spray.
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Place frozen or thawed crab legs in a single layer in the steamer basket.
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Place the steamer basket into the pot, making sure it’s above the boiling water and not submerged.
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Cover pot with a tight fitting lid to trap the steam.
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Steam for 5-7 minutes for frozen legs, or 4-5 minutes for thawed. Check for doneness by looking for an opaque, pearly white color.
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Remove steamer and serve legs immediately with melted butter, lemon wedges, etc.
The key is to not over steam, as the pre-cooked meat can become dried out and chewy. Steaming retains moisture and flavor perfectly.
Other Ways to Cook Crab Legs Without Thawing
While steaming is my personal favorite, you can prepare frozen crab legs without thawing using these other quick cooking methods:
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Boiling: Drop legs directly into boiling, salted water for 4-5 minutes. The boiling water will thaw and heat them simultaneously.
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Grilling: Place still-frozen legs directly on a hot grill for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through. The hot grill will thaw and heat the crab.
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Broiling: Arrange frozen legs on a sheet pan and broil 8-10 minutes, until hot and starting to brown. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
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Sautéing or Stir Frying: Heat 1-2 tablespoons oil in a large pan or wok over high heat. Add frozen legs and stir fry for 5-6 minutes until hot.
The key with all these quick-cooking methods is to adjust cooking times depending on the size and thickness of the crab legs. I suggest checking often for doneness to avoid overcooking.
How to Thaw Crab Legs for Other Recipes
For crab recipes like crab cakes, casseroles or salads, you’ll need to thaw the crab meat, rather than just quickly steaming or heating. Here are some tips:
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Thaw legs in the refrigerator overnight, or use the cold water method. Never thaw crab at room temperature.
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Once thawed, use kitchen shears or sharp knife to cut through shell along bottom edge.
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Gently pull shell apart and remove meat, keeping it in large chunks. Discard empty shells.
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Use fingers to carefully check meat for any stray shell fragments. Pick these off and discard.
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Use thawed crab meat right away for your recipe. For later use, wrap tightly and refrigerate up to 2 days.
This separates thedelicate meat from the shells so you can add luscious chunks of crab to your favorite dishes.
Storing Thawed Crab Legs
If you end up thawing more crab legs than you need, proper storage is important for food safety. Here are some guidelines:
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Place thawed, uncooked crab legs in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
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Store in the refrigerator and use within 1-2 days for best quality.
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Do not refreeze thawed raw crab, as this allows harmful bacteria to grow.
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Cooked crab meat can be refrigerated 3-4 days. Reheating thoroughly before serving.
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For longer storage of either raw or cooked crab, freeze for up to 3 months.
With proper refrigeration, you can safely store thawed crab for quick weeknight meals. But try to avoid thawing more than you need.
Serving Perfectly Cooked Crab Legs
Crab legs sing when simply prepared to highlight their sweet, delicate flavor. Here are some classic accompaniments:
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Melted butter for dipping, flavored with lemon, garlic, or herbs
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Wedges of fresh lemon
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Dipping sauces like aioli, mustard or cocktail sauce
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A simple salad or coleslaw on the side
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Rice, pasta or roasted potatoes
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Quick sautéed vegetables like green beans or asparagus
Keep the flavors simple to let the crab shine. Dip in that melted butter and enjoy!
Key Takeaways on Thawing and Cooking Crab Legs
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Frozen crab legs are pre-cooked so you can steam, boil or grill straight from frozen.
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Thawing first in the refrigerator allows for more even cooking.
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Steaming is a foolproof cooking method. Go for 4-5 minutes if thawed, 5-7 if frozen.
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Quick cooking over high heat also works well for frozen legs. Adjust time as needed.
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For crab recipes, thaw legs overnight then remove meat from shells.
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Store thawed, uncooked crab meat for 1-2 days max. Do not refreeze raw.
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Serve crab legs hot with simple flavors like lemon, butter and fresh herbs.
How to Steam Crab Legs
1. Fill a large pot with 2 cups of water and a tablespoon of salt.
2. Bring the water to a boil.
3. Place a rack or steaming basket over the water, add the crab legs, and cover them.
4. Steam for 5 to 7 minutes or until you smell their sweet aroma.
5. Remove from heat using tongs or oven mitts and serve.
If you are preparing fresh, uncooked crab:
Steam Snow Crab legs for 12 to 14 minutes and King Crab legs for 20 to 24 minutes.
Precooked vs Fresh Crab Meat
Most crab meat is sold precooked. Precooked crab meat has the same great flavor as fresh crab meat. Most of the time, the crabs are cooked on the fishing boat and then flash frozen right away to keep their rich flavor.
Whether you pick up precooked or fresh crab meat, it is best to buy it frozen. The longer crab legs are thawed, the more flavor the meat loses.
Reheating precooked crab legs only takes a matter of minutes. You can steam them, boil them, bake them or nuke them in the microwave. Cooking fresh crab legs is just as simple but requires a little extra time.
Before you reheat or cook crab legs, be sure to thaw them. Thawing crabmeat ensures that it will heat up evenly. You can run cold water over crab legs or put them in the fridge overnight (for about 8 hours). When you put them in the fridge to thaw, make sure they are in a container that won’t leak and has a rack to set them on so that any water can drain to the bottom.
To get rid of any sand, seaweed, or dirt on the legs, you should always run cool water over them. Once you’ve thawed and washed them, you are ready to heat them.
Do you need to thaw frozen crab legs before cooking?
Do thawed crab legs need to be boiled?
When cooking thawed crab legs, it is important to keep an eye on them to ensure they do not become overcooked and rubbery. Frozen crab legs, on the other hand, will need to be boiled for approximately 8-10 minutes or steamed for 10-12 minutes for average-sized legs. Larger legs may need to be cooked for a few extra minutes.
How long does it take to steam crab legs?
– Place the crab legs in a steamer basket and nestle the basket in the pot. – Cover with a lid and bring the water to a simmer over medium heat until it’s steaming. – Steam for approximately 5
Can you cook frozen crab legs before steaming?
Before steaming crab legs, it’s essential to choose between fresh or frozen crab legs. Frozen crab legs are more widely available and can be easily defrosted. To defrost frozen crab legs, place them in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours, allowing them to reach a safe temperature before cooking.
How do you thaw frozen crab legs?
To thaw your crab legs, leave them in your refrigerator for at least 12 hours or until thawed. This is the safest method, because the crab remains at a safe temperature throughout the thawing process. Failing that, thaw the frozen legs by running cold water over them in a sink or large bowl.