How Long to Boil King Crab Legs for Tender, Succulent Results

King crab legs are a delicious and impressive entrée for special occasions. But getting the cooking time right for these giant crustacean legs can be tricky. Undercook them and you’ll end up with chewy, rubbery crab meat Boil them too long and the meat can become dry and stringy So how long should you boil king crab legs to achieve tender, juicy results? Let’s break it down.

What is the Best Way to Cook King Crab Legs?

Boiling is the most common cooking method for crab legs. It’s simple quick and helps season the meat while cooking. Other options like steaming grilling or baking work as well, but require a bit more time and effort.

Boiling also allows you to cook the crab legs right in the pot with the other ingredients, infusing more flavor. Plus, you can use the resulting broth for dipping the crab meat after it’s shelled.

How Long Does it Take to Boil King Crab Legs?

The exact boiling time can vary based on a few factors:

• Size of the legs – King crab legs can range from 5 inches up to 9 inches long. The larger the legs, the longer they will need to boil.

• Frozen vs. fresh – Frozen crab legs should be boiled a bit longer than fresh since they take longer to thaw.

• Altitude – Food cooks faster at higher altitudes, so you may need to decrease boiling time if at a high elevation.

But in most cases, king crab legs take 7-10 minutes to boil properly. Use these general guidelines for timing:

• Smaller legs (5-7 inches): 7-8 minutes
• Medium legs (7-8 inches): 8-9 minutes
• Larger legs (over 8 inches): 9-10 minutes

For best results, I recommend boiling in batches of similar sized legs so you can remove smaller ones as they finish cooking before the bigger legs get overdone.

How to Tell When King Crab Legs are Done Boiling

It can be tricky to tell when the opaque, hard-shelled legs are cooked through. Here are a few doneness tests to try:

• Temperature – Use an instant read thermometer to check the thickest part of the meat. It should reach an internal temperature of 140°F.

• Color – The shells will turn bright red when fully cooked. Check for uniform color.

• Texture – Try twisting a leg slightly. It should feel loose in the shell if thoroughly cooked.

• Pull test – Gently pull on a small piece of shell. It should pop off easily when done.

• Poking test – Poke a hole in the shell and check that the meat pulls away cleanly without sticking.

It’s easy to over or undercook the first batch as you figure out timing. But the good news is the crab meat reheats well, so you can simmer any underdone legs for 1-2 minutes more after taking cooked ones out of the pot.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Boiling King Crab Legs

Follow this simple process for foolproof boiled king crab legs every time:

Ingredients:

• King crab legs, thawed if frozen
• Water
• Old Bay or crab boil seasoning
• Melted butter, lemon wedges, and salt for serving

Directions:

1. Fill a large pot about halfway with water and bring to a boil over high heat.

2. Add crab legs carefully to prevent splashing. I recommend boiling in batches by size.

3. Add 2-3 tablespoons of Old Bay or crab boil seasoning to the water.

4. When the water returns to a boil, cover and cook for 7-10 minutes depending on size.

5. Check for doneness after 6 minutes. Remove smaller legs as they finish cooking.

6. Simmer any undercooked legs for 1-2 minutes more. Do not overcook.

7. Drain crab legs and serve immediately with melted butter, lemon wedges, and salt.

Tips for the Best Boiled King Crab Legs

• Chill the legs for 20-30 minutes before boiling for easier shelling. The shells separate more cleanly from chilled meat.

• Use tongs or a slotted spoon to carefully lower legs into the boiling water to prevent splashing.

• Resist the urge to crowd too many legs in the pot, which can lower the temperature and result in uneven cooking.

• Crack shells prior to boiling so seasoning can penetrate better. Leave some sections unopened if you want presentation.

• Check for doneness often once boiling time is up to avoid overcooking.

• Serve with clarified butter, not melted, for the richest flavor to dip the meat.

• Provide small hammers, crab crackers and picks for easy shelling at the table.

Enjoy Perfectly Boiled King Crab Legs

Now you know how easy it is to boil tender, juicy king crab legs at home. In less than 10 minutes, you can have an impressive, restaurant-quality meal the whole family will love. Just be sure to provide plenty of napkins and tools for dealing with the messy shells. The sweet, succulent meat inside is well worth the effort.