There are three easy ways to cook crab legs: boiling, steaming, and baking. In less than 10 minutes, each method will give you perfectly warmed crab meat. There are also lots of tips in this post on how to choose and cook the most common types of crab legs.
Fresh crab is every seafood lover’s dream. And the good news is that crab is super easy to cook at home. Why? Because the crab you purchase from your local fishmonger is already pre-cooked and frozen. Many people don’t realize this. But crab is immediately cooked and flash-frozen to preserve its freshness when it’s caught. That means all you have to do to cook crab is warm up the legs, which only takes a few minutes!
You can dip crab in a tasty sauce (I’ll talk more about that below), or you can use fresh crab as a protein in crab salad, bowls, and other things. It’s easy to make a crab boil dinner that looks fancy but is actually very simple because the crab is already cooked.
Succulent crab legs are a delicious treat and popular menu item. Learning how to cook crab legs properly helps bring out their sweet, briny flavor. While crab legs come pre-cooked a quick reheating enhances tenderness and taste.
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for foolproof crab legs cooked to tender perfection every time,
Step 1: Select Your Crab Legs
Supermarkets and fish markets offer several varieties of crab legs:
- King crab legs: The largest legs with sweet, tender meat. Sold individually.
- Snow crab legs: Smaller legs with delicate flavor. Sold in clusters.
- Dungeness crab legs: Medium-sized, mildly sweet legs sold in clusters.
For special occasions, go for king. For salads and dip, choose snow or Dungeness. Allow 1⁄2 to 1 pound per person.
Inspect crab legs before purchasing. Look for:
- Shiny, hard shells with no cracks or dents
- Leg joints that are tightly closed
- Solid, heavy feel indicating plump meat inside
- Bright, clean color with no discoloration
- Fresh, briny (not fishy) aroma
Step 2: Thaw the Legs
Crab legs are sold frozen. For even cooking, thaw before reheating:
- Refrigerator: Place legs in a bowl and thaw overnight.
- Cold water: Submerge sealed legs in cold water for 30 minutes.
Thawed legs feel flexible at joints. Cook immediately after thawing.
Step 3: Prepare Your Cooking Method
You can boil, steam, bake or broil thawed crab legs. Here’s how to prepare:
Boiling
- Fill a large pot 3⁄4 with water and add seasoning if desired. Bring to a rolling boil.
Steaming
- Fill a pot with 1-inch water and insert a steamer basket. Bring water to a boil.
Baking
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
Broiling
- Turn oven broiler on high. Place oven rack 4 inches from heating element.
Step 4: Cook the Crab Legs
Add crab legs to the pot or pan and cook:
- Boiling: 5 to 8 minutes
- Steaming: 8 to 10 minutes
- Baking: 15 to 20 minutes
- Broiling: 10 to 15 minutes
Flip legs halfway through if broiling or baking. Track timing and check doneness frequently.
Step 5: Check for Doneness
Look for these signs crab legs are fully cooked:
- Shells turn bright orange-red
- Meat is opaque and flakes easily with a fork
- Internal temperature reaches 165°F
If undercooked, return to heat for 2 to 3 more minutes.
Step 6: Crack Open the Shells
Use a crab cracker, mallet, or small hammer to crack the shell:
- Grip legs at joint and bend backwards until it cracks.
- Use tool to crack down center of each segment.
- For king and snow legs, cut through side cartilage.
Step 7: Remove the Meat
With shells cracked open, remove meat:
- Pull large chunks out whole.
- Use a seafood fork to scrape smaller bits out.
- Discard empty shells or save for making stock.
Step 8: Season and Serve
Drizzle crab meat with:
- Melted butter
- Olive oil and fresh lemon juice
- Minced garlic mixed into butter or mayo
- Fresh herbs
Squeeze fresh lemon over the top. Enjoy hot with dipping sauces and sides!
More Cooking Tips for Perfect Crab Legs
- Don’t boil or steam too long or meat becomes rubbery. Start with minimum times.
- Preheat oven and broiler adequately before cooking.
- Arrange baking pan or broiler rack so legs are elevated, allowing air circulation.
- Turn legs halfway through baking or broiling for even heating.
- Add seasonings after cooking since shells prevent penetration during reheating.
Favorite Ways to Serve Crab Legs
Beyond basics like lemon and butter, try these delicious seasoning ideas:
- Old Bay or Cajun seasoning – A little spice amplified briny flavor
- Fresh dill – Brightens sweetness of the crab
- Tangy citrus vinaigrette – Cuts richness for a light touch
- Chopped herbs – Dill, basil, cilantro, parsley all complement crab
- Minced garlic – Infuse butter or mayo with garlic for dipping
- Horseradish – A little kick and acidity to accompany rich crab
- Clarified butter – Imparts nutty depth without milk solids
Pair with fresh, bright sides to offset crab’s richness:
- Lemon or lime wedges
- Crisp green salad or coleslaw
- Steamed green beans or asparagus
- Sauteed zucchini or squash
For an easy appetizer, mix crab meat with celery, lemon juice, mayo, and spices. Serve in avocado halves or stuffed into mushrooms.
With this simple step-by-step guide, you can enjoy restaurant-quality crab legs cooked to tender perfection in your own kitchen. Just add melted butter and lemon – then dive into sweet, briny crab heaven!
More Frequently Asked Questions
When you boil or steam the crab, bay leaves, peeled garlic cloves, black peppercorns, or lemon wedges are all aromatic foods that go well with it. Just keep in mind that a lot of seasonings won’t penetrate the shell and reach the meat. Instead, I recommend adding any seasonings after the meat is removed from the shell.
If you’re cooking frozen crab legs, you have two options. You can either put them in a large bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes or chill them overnight in a large bowl of water that is covered. Second, you can add extra cooking time to each method if you don’t want to defrost the legs.
Remember that crab legs will already be pre-cooked when you purchase them. You’re just warming them through at home. To make each one, though, follow the steps below. The meat inside will be hot, tender, opaque, and flaky.
This post should have taught you how to cook crab legs correctly. Let me know how yours turned out and what your favorite way is in the box below.
How To Cook Crab Legs (3 Ways)
There’s no one best way to cook crab legs, it’s more so preference with the methods below. Just keep in mind that you can overcook crab legs where the meat will become rubbery. So stick to the timings below.
Boiling Crab Legs: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Put the crab legs in the pot. If necessary, gently bend the joints to make sure the legs are completely submerged in water. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they’re heated through.
Put an inch of water in a large pot and put a steamer basket on top of it. This is how you steam crab legs. Bring the water to a boil. In the basket, put the crab legs. Steam them for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they’re hot all the way through.
Baked Crab Legs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes (depending on size), or until they’re heated through.
How to Cook Crab Legs
How do you cook crab legs in a crock pot?
Place the crabs in the steamer basket and bring the water to a boil. When the water has reached a boil, reduce the heat a simmer and cover the stockpot. Maintain a simmer as you steam the crab legs until they are heated through, 5-7 minutes. When the crab is heated, remove the legs with long-handled tongs and set them aside to cool slightly.
How do you cook crab legs in a steamer?
Place the steamer basket over 1 inch of water. Place the crabs in the steamer basket and bring the water to a boil. When the water has reached a boil, reduce the heat a simmer and cover the stockpot. Maintain a simmer as you steam the crab legs until they are heated through, 5-7 minutes.
How do you cook king crab legs?
Option 1: Boiled crab legs. Fill a large stockpot 3/4 of the way full with water, and add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the crab legs, bending the king crab legs as needed to submerge as much of the leg as possible in the water. Depending on the size of your pot, you may need to cook the legs in 2 batches.
How do you cook thawed crab legs?
Cover with cool water and bring to a boil. When the water is boiling, the crabs should be heated through. If you’re working with thawed crab legs, bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add your crab legs and blanche for about two to three minutes. It’s okay if the crab legs are piping hot all the way through.