How Long to Boil Frozen King Crab Legs for Perfectly Cooked Meat

King crab legs are a delicious, indulgent seafood treat. Their sweet, tender meat is packed with flavor and incredibly satisfying to crack open. While king crab is often enjoyed at restaurants, you can easily make these decadent crab legs at home with a quick boiling method. The key is knowing exactly how long to boil frozen king crab legs to achieve mouthwatering results.

In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know to perfectly cook frozen king crab legs. You’ll learn about

• Helpful tips for preparing and handling frozen king crab legs
• The ideal boiling time based on the weight and amount of crab legs
• Step-by-step boiling instructions and recipe
• How to tell when they’re done cooking
• Common mistakes to avoid

Follow these simple guidelines for tender, juicy king crab legs ready in under 15 minutes!

Handling and Prepping Frozen King Crab Legs

The first step is making sure your frozen king crab legs are ready to cook, Here are some useful tips

• Purchase legs labeled as “pre-cooked” for best results. Raw legs require much longer cooking.

• Inspect for any cracked or broken shells before cooking.

• Thaw slightly before boiling if the legs are solidly frozen together. Let sit 20-30 mins or microwave 30 seconds.

• Avoid fully thawing before boiling as this decreases texture. Legs should still be very cold.

• Use strong kitchen shears or a hammer to break apart any frozen together clusters of legs.

• Bend legs gently to fit in your stockpot if needed. Don’t force rigid frozen legs.

Once you’ve inspected and prepped the legs, it’s time to boil!

Recommended Boiling Time for Frozen King Crab Legs

King crab legs only need 4-8 minutes of boiling time, as they are already pre-cooked. The exact time depends on:

• Weight – Boil 4 minutes per 1 lb of crab legs.

• Amount – Add 4 minutes if cooking over 15 legs at once.

So for 1 lb of king crab legs, boil for 4 minutes. For 2 lbs, boil 8 minutes. Over 15 legs means adding 4 minutes no matter the weight. Avoid boiling extra large batches over 8 minutes total.

These quick cook times prevent overcooking while still heating the crab fully. Timings may vary slightly based on your stove strength. Track your boiling start and end times the first attempt.

Step-By-Step Boiling Instructions

Follow these simple steps for foolproof boiled king crab legs:

1. Bring Water to a Boil

Fill a large stockpot with enough water to fully submerge the crab legs. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

2. Carefully Add Legs

Once boiling, use tongs to gently lower the frozen legs into the pot. Leave plenty of room between legs.

3. Reduce Heat and Start Timer

Decrease heat until the water is at a gentle simmer. Begin timing based on weight and amount as recommended above.

4. Monitor Pot Closely

Stay near the stove to supervise. Gently rotate legs halfway through. Ensure all legs remain submerged.

5. Check for Doneness

At the end time, use tongs to remove one thicker leg. Check if the meat inside turns opaque vs. translucent when pulled apart.

6. Immediately Remove and Serve

As soon as done, transfer legs to a platter. Serve with melted butter, lemon, etc. Shell and enjoy!

How to Tell When Legs Are Fully Cooked

Judge doneness by these cues:

• Shells turn reddish-orange, not bright pink
• Meat is opaque and cooked through
• Flesh feels firm but tender when pulled apart
• Juices run clear, not milky

Discard any legs that still appear translucent or slimy inside after boiling.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Follow these tips to prevent undercooked or overdone crab legs:

• Don’t pack legs too tightly in the pot. Crowding steams rather than boils.

• Make sure all legs stay fully submerged while boiling.

• Don’t boil too large of a batch over 8 minutes total time.

• Don’t let shells turn bright pink, this means overcooking.

• Don’t guess at doneness. Check meat color and texture carefully.

• Don’t boil already thawed legs as long as frozen ones.

With the proper method, you’ll be cracking into tender, juicy king crab in no time. Adjust cook times as needed based on your stove. Freezing excess cooked crab for later makes for an easy, impressive appetizer anytime. Impress your guests with expertly prepared king crab legs!