How Long Should I Boil Snow Crab Legs for Perfect Results Every Time?

Snow crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat that is simple to prepare at home With sweet, succulent meat and a satisfying snap when cracked open, snow crab is a favorite for special occasions and weeknight dinners alike But knowing exactly how long to boil snow crab legs can mean the difference between undercooked crab and perfect, tender meat.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to boil snow crab legs like a pro including

• Benefits of cooking snow crab legs at home
• Snow crab leg prep work
• How long to boil snow crab legs
• What to look for when they’re done
• Serving suggestions to make the most of snow crab

After reading, you’ll be ready to cook up tender, flaky, restaurant-quality snow crab legs at home. So let’s get cracking!

Why Boil Your Own Snow Crab Legs

Skip the expensive seafood restaurant and enjoy rich delicious snow crab in the comfort of your own home. Boiling snow crab legs yourself has many advantages over ordering out

• Cost savings – Cooking at home is significantly cheaper than dining out. Snow crab legs purchased from the store can cost a quarter of restaurant prices.

• Customize the flavor – Restaurants tend to use just Old Bay seasoning. When cooking the crab yourself, you can experiment with garlic, lemon, herbs, peppers, and other spices to find your perfect taste.

• Control over doneness – No more overcooked, rubbery crab meat. You can boil your snow crab legs to your ideal level of doneness.

• Convenience – Save time waiting at a restaurant and have hot, homemade snow crab on the table in under 15 minutes.

• Make a meal out of it – Get your money’s worth by pairing snow crab with side dishes, appetizers, desserts, and more for a full feast.

• Impress your guests – Skip the store-bought sides and wow everyone with homemade from-scratch crab legs.

Preparing Snow Crab Legs for Boiling

Taking a few quick steps before dropping the crab legs into the boiling water will ensure they cook up moist, tender, and flavorful.

Thawing

Unless you purchased extremely fresh snow crab, the legs will likely be frozen. Make sure to thaw crab legs completely before cooking. Otherwise, the outside will overcook before the inside thaws.

To safely thaw:

• Place legs in the refrigerator 24-48 hours before cooking.
• Submerge sealed legs in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed.
• Thaw in the microwave if absolutely pressed for time. But pay very close attention to avoid cooking.

Seasoning

To infuse flavor into the meat, season the boiling water rather than the crab itself. Good options include:

• Old Bay – The iconic crab seasoning blend with celery salt, mustard, ginger, and more. Use 2-3 tablespoons per pot.
• Lemon – Brightens the flavor. Squeeze in the juice of 1/2 lemon per pot.
• Garlic – Adds richness. Crush 2-4 cloves per pot.
• White wine – Imparts sweetness. Pour in 1/2 cup per pot.
• Vinegar – Brightens and tenderizes meat. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider or white vinegar.

Checking for Shell Damage

Before placing in the pot, inspect each crab leg segment and discard any with cracks or breakage. Damaged parts tend to have dry, inedible meat.

Separating Clusters

Snow crab legs are sold in clusters with multiple legs attached at the body. For even cooking, use kitchen shears to cut clusters into individual legs before boiling.

How Long Should Snow Crab Legs Boil?

Snow crab legs only need a brief boil to heat through and absorb seasoning. The time depends on whether they were raw or pre-cooked when purchased.

• Raw snow crab legs need 7-8 minutes of boiling.
• Pre-cooked, frozen legs only require 4-5 minutes to reheat. This is the most common type sold.

Set a timer when you drop the crab into the boiling water to ensure perfect doneness. Additional boiling quickly makes the meat rubbery and dry.

Use a large pot so legs have plenty of space, and keep the water at a high rolling boil as they cook. The constant agitation will evenly cook the meat.

To boil in batches for a crowd, reuse the same seasoned water for additional crab legs to impart consistent flavor. Just give the pot a quick boil between batches to return to a rolling boil before adding more legs.

How to Tell When Snow Crab Legs Are Done

Snow crab legs cook quickly, so pay close attention as they boil. Here’s how to know when they’re ready:

• The color changes to a bright reddish-orange.
• The meat near the body cavity looks opaque rather than translucent.
• The meat separates easily from the shell when pulled with a fork.
• The legs feel hot to the touch when removed from the water.

When in doubt, cut into a leg to check if the meat is opaque throughout. Return to the boil for an extra minute if still translucent in the center.

Serving Up Delicious Snow Crab at Home

Once boiled to tender, perfection, all that’s left is breaking into the legs and dipping the sweet meat into butter or sauce.

Here are some tasty ways to serve up your freshly cooked snow crab legs:

• Melted butter – The classic pairing, melted butter picks up all the delicious crab juices.

• Lemon wedges – A bright, fresh accent that cuts through the richness.

• Clarified butter – For a sophisticated presentation, heat butter and spoon off the milk solids.

• Aioli – Whip up this boldly flavored garlic mayo to accent the crab.

• Mustard sauce – Spicy mustard perfectly complements the sweet crab meat.

• Specialty cocktails – Pair with the crab legs for an indulgent treat.

Boiling snow crab legs is simple. But with the proper preparation, cook time, and serving suggestions, you can create a spectacular seafood meal easily at home. Now that you know how long snow crab legs need to boil, you can enjoy tender, juicy meat anytime.