How Long to Steam Snow Crab Legs for Perfectly Cooked Meat

Snow crab legs are a delicious, indulgent seafood treat Their sweet, flaky white meat is coveted by seafood lovers. While you can boil snow crab legs, steaming is a quick, easy cooking method that preserves moisture and flavor But exactly how long should you steam snow crab legs to ensure they are perfectly cooked?

An Overview of Cooking Snow Crab Legs

Snow crab legs come from the species Chionoecetes opilio, known for their long, thin legs packed with tender meat. Most snow crab legs sold today are pre-cooked. This pre-cooking helps lock in flavor and texture before freezing.

To enjoy pre-cooked snow crab legs, you just need to reheat them until hot and firm enough to eat. Steaming is the quickest, gentlest reheating method. It surrounds the crab legs with moist heat to quickly thaw and warm them without overcooking the meat.

Proper steaming times depend on whether you are starting with frozen or thawed crab legs, Matching the steam time to the condition of the crab ensures ideal texture and moisture

How Long to Steam Thawed Snow Crab Legs

For thawed snow crab legs, a brief steam is all you need to heat them to perfection. Plan on:

• 5 to 7 minutes for small legs or leg clusters

• 7 to 10 minutes for larger legs and clusters

Keep the following tips in mind when steaming thawed crab legs:

• Rinse legs under cool water to remove any ice glaze before steaming.

• Use a steamer basket if possible to prevent overcooking on direct contact with the pot bottom.

• Resist the urge to crowd too many crab legs in the steamer. Overcrowding reduces steam circulation.

• Check for doneness at 5 minutes. Meat should be hot throughout and opaque.

• Take care not to oversteam thawed crab or the meat can become rubbery and dry.

Thawed snow crab just needs a quick reheating steam to be ready to enjoy. Properly steamed thawed legs will be heated through while maintaining a moist, juicy texture.

How Long to Steam Frozen Snow Crab Legs

For steaming frozen snow crab legs, you will need a little more time to allow the heat to thaw and fully penetrate the cold meat. Plan on:

• 8 to 10 minutes for smaller legs or clusters
• 10 to 12 minutes for large whole legs or clusters

Tips for steaming frozen crab legs:

• Rinse off any ice glaze from the legs before steaming to allow even heating.

• Use a lidded steamer pot or pan rather than an open steamer basket. This helps retain heat and moisture.

• Arrange legs in a single layer, trying not to overcrowd.

• Rotate and rearrange legs at least once midway through steaming. This allows even exposure to steam heat.

• Check for doneness before time is up. Meat should be opaque throughout when fully cooked.

Frozen crab leg meat requires gentle thawing with moist heat. Steaming for too short of time can lead to icy cold spots. But overcooking makes the texture dry and rubbery. Follow steaming times carefully.

How to Tell When Snow Crab Legs Are Done Steaming

The ideal finished texture for snow crab legs is meat that is heated through, plump and moist. Here are ways to check snow crab for doneness when steaming:

• Use an instant-read thermometer. Meat is done at 165°F. Take temperature at thickest part of legs.

• Meat should be hot throughout and opaque white, with no translucent spots.

• Shells turn bright orange-red when heated through.

• Meat feels firm but still moist when pressed with tongs or fork.

• Leg joints separate easily when pulled apart at body and knuckles.

Properly steamed snow crab legs will be hot, opaque, and juicy. Follow recommended steaming times as a starting point. Then, use visual and textural clues to monitor doneness and avoid under or overcooking.

Serving Steamed Snow Crab Legs

Once your snow crab legs are steamed to tender perfection, here are some serving tips:

• Provide small mallets to crack open leg shells at joints. Use crab crackers for smaller claws. Supply moist towelettes for messy fingers.

• Accompany with melted butter, lemon wedges, and dipping sauces like mustard-horseradish, cocktail, or aioli.

• For a seafood feast, pair with additional steamed shellfish like shrimp, clams, mussels or lobster.

• Serve in the shell on platters or in a paper-lined basket. Or, shell the legs and serve the meat in dishes or shells.

• Refrigerate any uneaten steamed crab legs up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving again.

Properly steamed and cracked open, the sweet meat of snow crab legs is irresistible dipped in melted butter or sauce. A chilled white wine or light beer makes an ideal beverage pairing.

Steaming Snow Crab Legs FAQs

Here are quick answers to some common questions about steaming snow crab legs:

How long to steam frozen crab leg clusters?

10-12 minutes

Can you steam snow crab legs straight from freezer?

Yes. Steaming works well to thaw and cook legs at the same time. Add a few extra minutes to steaming time.

Do you need to add water or seasoning when steaming?

Just 1⁄4 inch water in pot is needed to create steam. No seasoning required since snow crab legs come pre-seasoned.

Is it better to boil or steam snow crab legs?

Steaming is best. Boiling can make the meat overcooked and dry. Steaming preserves moisture and flavor better.

How long do cooked snow crab legs last in the fridge?

Up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Can you re-freeze steamed crab legs?

It’s not recommended. Re-freezing tends to degrade texture.

Get Perfectly Steamed Snow Crab Every Time

Steaming snow crab legs takes just minutes, but the proper cooking times are crucial. Follow recommendations based on whether legs are thawed or frozen. Check for doneness by looking for opaque, hot meat and shells reddened by heat. Avoid under or overcooking to enjoy snow crab legs at their tender, juicy best. Adjust steaming times as needed based on your preferences. Soon you’ll be an expert at preparing snow crab worthy of a five-star seafood restaurant.