Crab legs are one of my favorite seafood treats. Their sweet, tender meat paired with the satisfaction of cracking open the shells makes for an utterly delicious experience. However, most recipes call for steaming the crab legs, which requires specialized equipment that not everyone has on hand.
As a seafood lover without a steamer, I was determined to figure out how to make perfectly cooked crab legs at home After plenty of trials and errors, I’ve discovered several foolproof methods for steaming crab legs without a steamer that I can’t wait to share!
Why Steaming Is The Best Cooking Method For Crab Legs
Steaming is hands down the ideal way to cook crab legs for a few reasons
-
It cooks the crab gently and evenly, keeping the meat tender and moist.
-
It allows the sweet, delicate flavor of the crab to shine through. No competing flavors from added liquids or seasonings.
-
It’s a very fast cooking method, taking only 5-7 minutes to heat crab legs through.
-
Steaming in the shell helps preserve the nutrients and juices within the crab meat.
While boiling, grilling, baking etc. are all valid options, steaming really is unparalleled when it comes to cooking crab legs to juicy, succulent perfection.
Equipment Needed For Steaming Crab Legs Without A Steamer
The good news is that steaming crab legs without an actual steamer is totally possible with things you likely have in your kitchen already:
- A large pot with a lid
- A metal colander or vegetable steamer basket
- Aluminum foil
- Oven-safe dish or baking sheet
- Kitchen tongs
As long as you have a few basic supplies like these, you can improvise and find a way to steam crab legs successfully.
Step-By-Step Methods For Steaming Crab Legs Without A Steamer
Here are the best techniques I’ve discovered for how to steam crab legs without the traditional steaming equipment:
Boil Them
Boiling crab legs in a large pot of water is probably the simplest no-steamer method.
To try it:
-
Fill a pot with 2-3 inches of water and bring it to a rolling boil.
-
Drop in the crab legs and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
-
Steam for only 5-7 minutes, then remove crab legs immediately to prevent overcooking.
The boiling water creates steam right in the pot to cook the crab legs. Just be careful not to actually submerge them in the water or they may become soggy.
Use A Colander
A metal colander or vegetable steamer basket placed over a pot makes an excellent improvised steamer.
Follow these steps:
-
Fill a pot with 1-2 inches of water and bring it to a boil.
-
Place the colander or steamer basket on top so it fits snugly.
-
Arrange the crab legs in a single layer inside.
-
Cover pot with a lid and steam for 5-7 minutes.
The crab legs sit above the boiling water, steamed by the rising heat and moisture. Quick, easy, and effective!
Wrap In Foil
For this oven-steaming method:
-
Preheat oven to 375°F.
-
Place crab legs on a baking sheet and wrap tightly in aluminum foil.
-
Bake for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
The foil tent traps steam and cooks the crab legs using indirect heat. Be sure to tightly seal the foil packet and watch closely to prevent overcooking.
Microwave Them
My last resort for steaming crab legs with no steamer is the microwave.
To microwave-steam:
-
Place crab legs in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel.
-
Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, checking often.
-
Allow to rest 1 minute before opening microwave.
While not ideal, the microwave method will in fact cook and steam the crab legs nicely! Just keep a close eye on them and use care when removing the hot dish.
Handy Tips For Steaming Crab Legs Without A Steamer
Here are some additional pointers to ensure perfect crab legs every time you steam without a steamer:
-
Only steam thawed crab legs, not frozen. Frozen will take too long.
-
Check for doneness by looking for orangey-red color, slight opening of the shells, and opaque, white meat.
-
Add lemon slices, garlic, and Old Bay seasoning to the steaming liquid for extra flavor.
-
Brush crab legs with olive oil or butter before steaming to prevent drying out.
-
Allow to rest for 5 minutes before cracking open shells; this makes removing meat easier.
-
Reheating steamed crab legs makes the meat tougher, so only steam what you plan to eat immediately.
Serving Suggestions For Your Steamed Crab Legs
Once your crab legs are steamed to tender perfection, it’s time to think about how to serve them up in style:
-
Offer crab crackers, small hammers, and picks for easy meat removal.
-
Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, or contrasting sauces for dipping.
-
Pair with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious crab juices.
-
Combine crab legs with corn, potatoes, sausage, and shrimp for a seafood boil spread.
-
Pile crab meat on top of fresh green salads for an impressive entree.
-
Stuff crab meat into avocados or tomatoes for flavorful stuffing.
-
Enjoy crab legs alongside asparagus, artichokes, and broccoli as veggie sides.
Crab legs are a culinary delicacy that many seafood lovers enjoy. But what if you don’t have a steamer basket to cook them? Don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll show you how to steam crab legs without a steamer basket, using simple and creative methods.
Steaming crab legs without a steamer basket may seem challenging, but it’s actually quite easy. Here are a few methods you can try:
This method requires only a pot, water, and your crab legs. Follow these steps:
- Just enough water should be added to a large pot to cover the crab legs.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- To make the flavors better, add a lot of salt to the boiling water.
- Place the crab legs carefully into the boiling water.
- Turn down the heat to medium and let the crab legs cook for five to seven minutes.
- With tongs, take the crab legs out of the pot and put them on a platter.
This boiling method ensures that the crab legs are cooked through and easy to shell. They’ll be tender, juicy, and ready to serve!.
Steaming with a Colander
You can quickly turn a colander or metal sieve into a steamer basket if you have one. Here’s how:
- Put about 2 inches of water in a pot and heat it up.
- Put a metal sieve or heat-resistant colander on top of the pot and make sure it fits tightly.
- Put the crab legs in a single layer in the colander or metal sieve.
- Place a lid on top of the pot to make it steamy.
- For about 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are hot all the way through, steam the crab legs.
- Use oven mitts or tongs to carefully take the colander or metal sieve out of the pot.
This method produces perfectly steamed crab legs, just like using a steamer basket. The steam cooks them gently, preserving their natural flavors and textures.
If you prefer a different cooking technique, you can also bake your crab legs. Here’s how:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet.
- Make sure there are equal gaps between the crab legs on the wire rack.
- Melt some butter or olive oil and brush it on the crab legs to keep them moist.
- The crab legs should be baked for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are warm all the way through.
- Grab the crab legs from the oven and let them cool down for a while before you serve them.
Baking the crab legs gives them a slightly different flavor and texture, with a hint of smokiness. They’ll still be delicious and succulent!.
Not having a steamer basket shouldn’t stop you from enjoying steamed crab legs. With these simple and creative methods, you can still achieve the same tender and flavorful results. There are three great ways to cook crab legs: boil, steam with a colander, or bake. They will go well with any seafood dish. So go ahead, give it a try and savor the deliciousness!.
Easy steamed snow crab legs done right
Can you cook crab legs without a steamer?
Cooking Crabs Legs without a Steamer: Place a stainless steel colander inside a large pot. Add 3 inches of water to the pot and bring to a boil. Place the crab legs in the colander for 8 to 9 minutes, until hot on the outside and fragrant. This will depend largely on the size of your steamer and the size of the crab legs.
How do you cook crab legs in a steam pot?
Place the crab legs inside the steam pot insert and put that inside the pot above the water. You could also use a regular pot and place the crab legs inside of a metal collander, which you then place inside the pot above the boiling water. 3. Cover the pot with a lid for 4 minutes.
How do you remove crab legs from a steamer?
Be careful when removing the crab legs from the steamer. Lift the lid away from your face so that you do not accidentally burn yourself on the hot steam as it bursts out. Steamed crab legs and claws have softened shells, so a crab cracker should not be used to get the meat out.
How do you cook unshelled crab legs?
Let’s get crackin’ on these unshelled crab legs! Steam Crab Legs: Place crab legs in a pot with boiling, salted water for 4 to 5 minutes. Detach The Knuckle: Crabs have two knuckles, each with three legs attached. The crab legs themselves will come detached from the knuckle, but part of the knuckle will still be there. Cut that part off first.