How to Cook Frozen Crab Legs to Sweet, Succulent Perfection

As a seafood lover I adore indulging in fresh crab when I can get it. However living far from the coast makes that a rare treat. Fortunately, I’ve found frozen crab legs to be a convenient and tasty alternative for those cravings. Through trial and error, I’ve dialed in a foolproof method for cooking frozen crab legs at home.

Below I’ll share my step-by-step technique for steaming frozen crab legs so they turn out sweet tender and full of flavor every time. No fancy equipment required!

Why Cook Frozen Crab Legs?

Here’s why working with frozen crab legs is a smart choice

Convenience – Frozen legs are pre-packed and ready to grab at the store. No prep needed before cooking.
Uniform sizing – Frozen legs are usually sorted by size already for consistency.
Pre-frozen freshness – Flash freezing locks in flavor and texture right at the source.
Year-round availability – Frozen legs offer access to crab when fresh isn’t in season.
Budget-friendly – Frozen crab costs noticeably less per pound than fresh.
Long shelf life – Properly frozen legs last up to 4 years in the freezer.

Tips for Selecting Frozen Crab Legs

Follow these tips when purchasing frozen crab legs:

Choose legs with a vibrant natural shell color without spots or discoloration. Avoid any with ice crystals or freezer burn.
Opt for intact, unbroken legs without cracks or splintering. Damage affects texture.
Pick reputable national brands like Chicken of the Sea or Orijen. Avoid generic store brands.
Confirm the ingredients list only crab. Watch for additives or “imitation crab”.
Compare cost per pound – larger frozen packs are sometimes cheaper.
Inspect packaging for an airtight vacuum seal and no signs of moisture.

How to Thaw Frozen Crab Legs

For the tenderest texture, always thaw frozen crab legs before cooking. Here are some thawing options:

Fridge Thawing – Place legs in a bowl to catch drips and thaw overnight in the fridge.
Cold Water Bath – Submerge sealed legs in cold water, changing water every 30 mins until thawed.
Microwave Thawing – Partially thaw legs on defrost setting based on weight, stopping to rearrange.

Thawed crab legs will feel flexible at the joints and the meat will separate easily from the shell. Avoid direct heat when thawing or you’ll start cooking the meat early.

What You’ll Need to Cook Frozen Crab Legs

Having the right kitchen tools makes cooking frozen crab legs a breeze:

A large, deep stock pot or soup pot with lid
Steam basket or colander small enough to fit inside the pot
Heavy duty tongs and oven mitts for safe handling
Large slotted spoon for moving crab legs
Rimmed baking sheet to hold cooked crab legs

How to Cook Frozen Crab Legs – Step by Step

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked crab legs every time:

Thaw legs completely using one of the methods above. Meat should separate easily from shell.
Fill a large pot 1⁄3 full with water. Bring to a rapid boil over high heat.
Add seasoning like Old Bay, lemon, and/or garlic to the water for flavor.
Place steamer basket in pot. Legs should not be submerged.
Arrange legs in basket in a single layer without crowding.
Cover and steam for 6-8 minutes until hot throughout.
Remove from steam right at 6-8 mins to prevent overcooking.
Transfer legs immediately to a baking sheet. Avoid holding in steam.
Cover with foil and let sit 5 minutes before serving.

And that’s it – simple, foolproof crab leg perfection. Now dig in and enjoy!

Handy Tips for Cooking Frozen Crab Legs

I’ve picked up a few useful tips over the years for handling frozen crab legs:

Let legs sit 3-5 minutes before cracking open. Steaming continues to cook a bit longer.
Use a wooden mallet or back of knife to crack. Don’t shatter completely – just crack shell.
Provide small forks for pulling out meat, along with nut or lobster crackers.
Have melted butter, lemon wedges, and hot sauce on hand for dipping.
Sprinkle with Old Bay or Cajun seasoning right before serving.
Refrigerate any uneaten crab meat right away. Use within 2 days.
Save shells/legs to incorporate into seafood stock for extra flavor.

Common Q&As About Cooking Frozen Crab

Over the years, I’ve gotten lots of questions about preparing frozen crab legs. Here are some frequent ones:

How long is too long to steam legs?

Aim for 6-8 minutes max. Beyond 10 minutes, the meat can get rubbery.

Do I need to add liquid to the pot?

No – the steam from a small amount of boiling water is sufficient.

Can I reheat leftover cooked crab meat?

Yes, gently reheat leftover crab for a minute or two in the microwave or sautéed on the stovetop.

What’s the shelf life of thawed, uncooked legs?

1-2 days max in the fridge. Cook ASAP for best quality.

Is it safe to eat the mustard/fat inside the legs?

Yes! This mustardy fat is full of crab flavor – be sure to enjoy it.

Putting Frozen Legs to Use

Once you get the basics down, it’s easy to start using frozen crab legs in all sorts of delicious ways:

Keep it simple. Dip in melted butter or drizzle with olive oil, lemon and garlic.
Get creative with seasoned butters. Whip compound butters with herbs, spices or citrus.
Pile legs on a salad, grain bowl or savory dip for an instant protein boost.
Use lump crab meat in place of canned crab in dips, cakes or stuffed pasta shells.
Fold shredded crab meat into a quiche, frittata or cornbread batter.
Season and sauté crab meat, bake into a casserole or stir into risotto.

Is Frozen as Good as Fresh?

While frozen may not be quite as tender, sweet and flaky as fresh-cooked crab, it’s pretty darn close if thawed and cooked properly. The convenience of frozen makes it easy to satisfy a crab craving anytime.

how do you cook crab legs from frozen

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

Tip 1: When cooking these Boiled Crab Legs, don’t stack them in the pot; cook them one at a time.
Tip 2: Most frozen crab legs are already cooked, so all you have to do is heat them up in boiling water. If so, be careful not to cook them too long, or the meat will get tough and lose its flavor.
Tip 3: Each person should have one pound of crab legs. This recipe for boiled crab legs can easily be doubled or even tripled if you’re having people over.
Tip 4: To make your Boiled Crab Legs taste even better, add some finely chopped garlic to the melted butter.

How to Cook Frozen Crab Leg : Making Meals Delicious

How do you cook crab legs without overflowing?

To cook crab legs without the water overflowing, use a pot that can fit about 2 pounds of crab legs without overflowing. Fill the pot with cold tap water and add the salt. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil.

How do you cook frozen crab legs?

To cook frozen crab legs, carefully drop them into boiling water. Cook for 6-8 minutes for king crab and 4-6 minutes for snow crab. Once cooked, drain the water and serve immediately with melted butter and lemon wedges. Boiling can make the crab legs rubbery and less flavorful, so use this method only as a last resort.

How do you cook thawed crab legs?

To cook thawed crab legs, start by placing them in a steamer basket or on an elevated rack inside a pot. Add water, garlic, herbs, or other seasonings to the pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, carefully place the crab legs into the steamer basket and cover the pot. Steam them for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through.

How do you cook crab legs in the oven?

To cook crab legs in the oven, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Optionally, brush them with butter mixed with crab leg seasoning. Bake for 25-30 minutes in the oven, depending on the variety and size of the legs. The crab legs are best when cooked in a single layer and tented with foil.