King crab legs are a delicious, indulgent seafood treat. Their sweet, delicate flavor and tender meat make them an amazing special occasion meal However, king crab legs can be expensive and cooking them improperly can lead to wasted money and unsatisfying results. When cooking frozen king crab legs at home, following proper thawing, cooking times, and methods helps ensure perfect crab every time.
I love treating myself to king crab, but I’ve definitely had some fails in the past from not knowing how long to cook the frozen legs. After testing different cooking times and techniques I’ve got foolproof methods to share with you for baking, boiling, steaming and grilling frozen king crab legs so they turn out tender and flavorful.
Thawing Is Key
Before cooking any frozen seafood like king crab legs, proper thawing is essential. Thawing ensures the crab legs cook evenly. It also prevents overcooking the exterior before the inside thaws.
Ideally thaw frozen king crab legs overnight in the refrigerator. This slower thawing helps maintain quality. If you’re short on time, place the frozen legs in a colander and run cold water over them for 30-60 minutes until thawed.
Once thawed, king crab legs should feel cold, but flexible. Thawed legs will be ready to cook.
Baking Times for Frozen King Crab Legs
Baking is my favorite cooking method for frozen king crab legs. The hot, dry oven air surrounds the crab legs, heating them from the outside-in.
To bake frozen king crab legs:
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
- Arrange thawed king crab legs on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until hot and aromatic.
Baking prevents overcooking by gently heating the already-cooked crab meat without drying it out. The contained oven environment also infuses the king crab legs with their sweet, briny aroma as they bake.
Boiling Frozen King Crab Legs
Boiling is a quick, simple way to cook frozen king crab legs that yields tender results.
To boil frozen king crab legs:
- Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a rolling boil.
- Salt the water generously. I use 1 tablespoon per pound of crab.
- Add thawed king crab legs and boil for 4-5 minutes.
- Drain and serve immediately.
Boiling provides even, gentle heat thanks to the water’s motion. Be careful not to over boil the crab which can make the meat tough.
Steaming Frozen King Crab Legs
Steaming is another moist-heat method that produces tender crab legs, similar to boiling.
To steam frozen king crab legs:
- Add 1-2 inches of water to a large pot fitted with a steamer basket. Bring to a boil.
- Place thawed legs in the basket in a single layer.
- Steam the king crab legs for 4-6 minutes depending on thickness.
- Check for doneness and continue steaming in 1 minute increments if needed.
Steaming cooks the crab legs slightly more delicate than boiling while still ensuring even thorough cooking.
Grilling Frozen King Crab Legs
Grilling imparts delicious smoky flavor to frozen king crab legs. Use a foil packet or grill basket for easy grilling.
For grilling frozen king crab legs:
- Oil the foil or grill basket to prevent sticking.
- Grill thawed king crab legs over direct high heat for 6-8 minutes.
- Flip halfway through. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Brush with garlic-lemon butter the last 2 minutes for added flavor.
The hot, dry grill sears the legs, caramelizing their natural sugars. Go easy on grill time to avoid drying out the delicate meat.
Check for Doneness
With any cooking method, check king crab legs for doneness before serving. Perfectly cooked crab will be hot throughout and opaque. The meat will be firm, white, and just beginning to flake.
Undercooked crab will be translucent or gelatinous in the center. Overcooked crab meat will be tough and dry.
Use a kitchen thermometer to check temperature. King crab is perfectly cooked between 140°-165°F.
Serving Suggestions
Once cooked to tender perfection, enjoying king crab legs is simple. Provide small hammers, shell crackers, and picks to help diners access the sweet meat tucked inside the hard shells.
Serve steamed, grilled, baked or boiled crab legs with:
- Melted lemon garlic butter for dipping
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Cocktail sauce and lemon aioli for dipping
- A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc
Some of my favorite side dishes to pair with king crab legs include:
- Crusty bread for dipping in butter
- Corn on the cob
- Roasted asparagus
- Coleslaw or salad
- Rice or roasted potatoes
Steaming King Crab Legs
Just put two cups of water and a tablespoon of salt in a pot and bring it to a boil. This will steam Alaskan king crab legs that have already been cooked. Place the crab legs in the pot on a rack over the boiling water. When the water starts to boil again, put a lid on top and cook for six minutes, or until they start to give off a “cooked smell.” “.
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- You should put frozen crab legs in the fridge overnight to thaw before cooking or eating them.
- Since our king crab has already been cooked, most crab cooking methods only need a short re-heat time of 5 to 10 minutes.
- King crab should be added to soups and stews in the last five minutes of cooking.
King Crab Legs Baked, Grilled or Steamed – PoorMansGourmet
How do you cook king crab legs?
To cook king crab legs, fill a large saucepan half full of cold water and bring to a boil. Add a tablespoon of salt and the seasoning of your choice, if any. When the water begins to boil, add the crab legs and reduce the heat to medium. Allow them to simmer for about six minutes.
How do you cook frozen crab legs?
Half-fill a large stockpot or Dutch oven with seasoned water, bring it to boil then add in those succulent crab legs. After 3–5 minutes of cooking they’ll be done; just transfer them using tongs onto an even more appetizing plate! Serve warm while the butter melts over everything – dinner is served. Can I bake frozen crab legs?
How do you heat frozen king crab legs?
Frozen king crab legs are usually pre-cooked and just need to be heated. The best way to do this is by placing them in a colander or steamer over rapidly boiling water. There are other methods as well, which we’ll discuss below.
How do you cook a king crab?
To cook a king crab, steaming is one of the best options. Place two cups of water and a tablespoon of salt in a pot and bring it to a boil. The pot should be about one-third of the way filled with water. Place the crab legs in the pot on a rack or colander over the boiling water.