The Foolproof Guide to Reheating Alaskan King Crab Legs

Alaskan king crab is one of the most decadent and delicious seafood treats. With its sweet, delicate meat and hefty legs, it’s no wonder this crab is so prized. However, like most seafood, the key to enjoying Alaskan king crab is making sure it’s cooked properly. If you’ve got leftovers from a seafood feast or thawed some frozen crab legs, you may be wondering how to reheat them so they stay tender and juicy.

Reheating crab legs takes a bit of finesse, but thankfully, there are several easy methods for warming up Alaskan king crab legs so you can enjoy their briny sweetness again and again. Read on for a foolproof guide to reheating Alaskan king crab legs using the oven, stovetop, microwave, or grill.

Why Proper Reheating Matters for Crab Legs

With seafood as delicate as crab, the reheating method makes all the difference If you aren’t careful, reheated crab can turn out rubbery, stringy, or dried out.

The reason crab meat dries out so easily is because it contains less fat compared to other types of meat Fat helps retain moisture during cooking Without it, crab meat can quickly become overcooked and lose its tender texture.

Additionally, the long, thin shape of crab legs makes the meat prone to overcooking on the outside before the inside is warmed through.

That’s why gentle steaming and slower reheating methods are best for retaining moisture and texture in crab legs. Quick, high heat can cause the meat to seize up and toughen.

By following the proper reheating techniques, you can enjoy juicy, tender crab meat with all the sweet brininess you’d expect in a top-notch seafood restaurant.

How to Reheat Crab Legs in the Oven

The oven is a reliable, hands-off way to gently reheat crab legs. The slow, ambient heat lets the crab warm evenly while surrounding it with gentle steam so it doesn’t dry out.

Here’s how to reheat crab legs in the oven:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.

• Place legs in a shallow baking dish and add 1-2 inches of water to the dish. The water should come about halfway up the sides of the legs.

• Cover baking dish tightly with foil. Poke a few slits in the foil with a knife to allow steam to escape.

• Bake for 15-20 minutes, until heated through. Check for doneness after 15 minutes.

• Remove crab carefully from the hot liquid and serve immediately.

This steaming method works well for reheating both thawed and frozen crab legs. Add 5 extra minutes of bake time for frozen crab.

Letting the legs steam in the baking dish helps them reheat evenly all the way to the center without drying out. Just be careful when removing the hot crab legs from the hot liquid.

Reheating Crab Legs on the Stovetop

For an even faster reheating method, use your stovop to quickly steam crab legs until warmed through.

Here’s how simple it is to reheat crab legs on the stovetop:

• Fill a large pot with 2-3 inches of water and bring to a boil over high heat.

• Prepare an elevated rack or colander that fits inside the pot over the boiling water. You can use a steamer basket, small colander, or ring from a Bundt pan.

• Place thawed crab legs on rack or colander, cover pot, and steam for 7-10 minutes until heated through.

• Carefully remove legs using tongs and serve warm.

The boiling water creates steaming heat to surround the crab legs for quick, even reheating. Placing them elevated out of the water prevents direct boiling which could toughen the meat.

Feel free to add seasonings like Old Bay seasoning, lemon slices, or garlic to the steaming water for extra flavor.

Microwaving King Crab Legs

The microwave provides a convenient, fast way to reheat thawed crab legs in just a few minutes.

Follow these steps for reheating crab legs in the microwave:

• Place thawed crab legs on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer.

• Tent the legs loosely with a damp paper towel to create steam. Microwaving without the towel leads to drying.

• Microwave legs for 1-2 minutes on high power until warmed through. Check frequently to prevent overcooking.

• Allow to rest for 1 minute before serving.

• Take care when removing the hot plate and lifting legs after microwaving. Use oven mitts or a thick towel.

This steaming method is quick and easy for a small portion of crab. Microwaves can sometimes cook unevenly, so check for cold spots and reheat for 10-20 extra seconds if needed.

Only reheat thawed crab this way, as frozen crab requires slower reheating. And avoid microwaving too large of a portion at once, as that increases cooking time and drying.

How to Reheat Crab Legs on the Grill

For fun outdoor entertaining, you can even reheat crab legs on the grill! The smoky flavor adds wonderful depth.

Here’s how to grill pre-cooked king crab legs:

• Preheat your grill to medium heat, around 350°F.

• Wrap each leg individually in foil to create a pouch.

• Place wrapped legs directly on preheated grill grates.

• Grill for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Frozen legs may take up to 15 minutes.

• Remove legs from grill and unwrap the hot foil pouches carefully using tongs and oven mitts.

• Serve crab legs warm with grilled lemon wedges.

The foil pouches allow the crab to steam gently surrounded by the grill’s radiant heat. This method works for both thawed and frozen crab legs.

Just be cautious when unwrapping the hot foil on grilled crab legs, as the steam buildup will be very hot. Use tongs and gloves to prevent burns.

5 Tips for Reheating Crab Legs

Follow these handy tips for reheating crab legs successfully every time:

• Always reheat gently. Quick, high heat can toughen and dry out delicate crab meat. Steaming and slower oven heating work best.

• Watch the time. Crab overcooks easily, so err on the lower end of recommended cooking times and check for doneness frequently.

• Use a thermometer to accurately check doneness, especially if reheating a large portion. Crab should reach 145°F internally.

• Allow a steam release in covered dishes and foil pouches so moisture can escape without building up pressure.

• Rest reheated crab for 1-2 minutes before serving. This allows heat to fully distribute through the meat.

Enjoy Tender Reheated Crab Every Time

Reheating crab legs while retaining their supple texture and sweet flavor simply takes the right techniques. Now that you know how to gently rewarm Alaskan king crab legs in the oven, on the stovetop, in the microwave, or on the grill, you can enjoy their delicious meat again and again.

The key is using steam and slower reheating methods to prevent the delicate meat from drying out or becoming rubbery. Next time you’ve got leftovers or thawed frozen crab legs ready for eating, try one of these foolproof reheating methods for tender, juicy results. Just be sure to handle the hot crab carefully and rest it before diving in.