Need to know how to cook king crab legs? You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about cooking king crab legs.
When our Alaskan King Crab arrives at your doorstep, it will already be cooked, glazed and frozen. To keep its fresh, delicious taste, the king crab will have been cooked either on the boats or as soon as it got to land. So, you will just need to thaw the legs and reheat the crab before you start enjoying.
The first thing you should do when you get your crab legs is put the crab in the fridge to thaw overnight. The next day, it will be ready to reheat and prepare.
Cooking king crab legs isn’t difficult, and they only takes a few minutes to prepare. How you cook your king crab will depend on the flavor you want. Below we’ve listed some of the more popular ways to cook king crab. Most of these recipes are very easy to make. You only need three drops of hot sauce in butter to bring out the great taste of fresh king crab. Most of them also only need 5 to 10 minutes to warm up. Much more than that, and you risk your crab becoming overcooked. You only need to add the crab to a stew or soup for the last five minutes of cooking.
King crab legs are a delicious decadent seafood treat. Their sweet briny flavor pairs perfectly with butter or lemon wedges. While king crab legs are a splurge, they’re easy to prepare at home. One of the quickest and most flavorful cooking methods is broiling. But exactly how long does it take to broil king crab legs to tender, juicy perfection?
An Overview of Cooking King Crab
King crab legs come pre-cooked and frozen. So technically, you don’t need to cook them at all – you can simply thaw and serve! However, heating them enhances their flavor and makes the meat more tender.
There are several easy cooking methods for pre-cooked king crab legs
- Broiling
- Grilling
- Steaming
- Boiling
- Microwaving
Broiling and grilling are quick dry heat methods that intensify flavor. Steaming and boiling use moist heat to gently reheat the crab. The microwave offers speed, but can make the crab rubbery.
For broiling, the oven should be preheated and crab placed directly under the heating element. Fish broiling pans or wire racks allow the heat to circulate all around. The high, dry heat helps caramelize exterior proteins for deeper flavor.
How Long Does it Take to Broil King Crab Legs?
Broiling time can vary based on the size and quantity of crab legs. Here are general guidelines:
- 2-4 medium crab legs: 8 to 12 minutes
- 1 pound of legs (3-5 medium legs): 10 to 15 minutes
- 2 pounds of legs (6-10 legs): 15 to 20 minutes
These times are for crab legs about 5 to 7 inches long. Larger legs may take a bit longer, up to 25 minutes for very thick pieces. You want the shell to turn bright orange-red and the meat to be heated through.
It’s easy to tell when they’re done. Simply touch the shell – it should be too hot to keep your finger on. The meat will be hot and opaque throughout when pierced with a fork.
Tips for Perfectly Broiled Crab Legs
Follow these tips for tender, juicy crab legs every time:
- Thaw first: Broil straight from frozen and they’ll overcook on the outside before the inside thaws. Thaw in the fridge overnight instead.
- Use a broiling pan: The perforated pan allows heat circulation for even cooking.
- Preheat properly: Heat the broiler for at least 5 minutes before adding crab.
- Watch closely: Broilers are very hot, so keep an eye on legs to avoid burning.
- Turn halfway: Flipping halfway through ensures even browning and heating.
- Check for doneness: Shells turn bright reddish-orange when done.
- Brush with butter: Melted butter or olive oil helps season and prevent drying out.
- Don’t crowd: Allow space between legs for air flow – cook in batches if needed.
I like to brush the legs with a simple garlic-lemon butter before broiling. The butter bubbles and browns, coating the shell. A squeeze of fresh lemon right before serving balances the richness.
Alternate Cooking Methods for King Crab
While broiling is quick and flavorful, you may prefer other cooking methods. Here’s how long they take:
- Grilling: Same timing as broiling
- Steaming: 5 to 8 minutes once steam is visible
- Boiling: 3 to 5 minutes after water boils
- Microwaving: Varies; heat in 30 second increments to avoid overcooking
The flesh of king crab legs is already cooked, so it just needs gentle heating to finish. Take care not to overcook or the meat can become rubbery. If reheating frozen legs in the microwave, add an ice cube or two to the plate to slow thawing and prevent overcooking edges.
Serving Suggestions for King Crab Legs
King crab is delicious on its own with just a little melted butter or olive oil. But you can also pair it with fun sauces and sides:
- Lemony aioli or tangy citrus vinaigrette
- Clarified butter with garlic, herbs, and lemon
- Dipping sauces like sweet chili sauce or creamy Greek yogurt sauce
- Fresh herbs and spices like dill, paprika, and lemon pepper
- Crisp sautéed vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers
- Bright citrus wedges such as lemon, lime, or orange
- A fresh green salad or crunchy slaw
However you choose to prepare your king crab legs, resist the urge to overcomplicate. The sweet flavor of the crab itself is the star of the show. With a few simple seasonings and sides, you can highlight – not hide – that amazing ocean-fresh taste.
So pick up a couple of pounds on your next visit to the fish market. Just 10 to 20 minutes under the broiler is all you need for an impressive, flavorful meal. Gather some melted butter, lemon wedges, and napkins – then dig into tender, delicious king crab legs!
Recipe: Boiled King Crab Legs
Boiling is a simple method for cooking king crab. Put half of a large pot of cold water in it and bring it to a boil. This will boil the crab legs. 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. Take the crab legs out of the water, rinse and plate for eating. Learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect crab boil.
Try out this recipe for Alaskan King Crab Provencal.
Recipe: Baked King Crab Legs
If you want the herbs and lemon flavors to come through in the cooking, baking king crab legs is the best way to do it. To bake crab legs, preheat oven to 350° degrees. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking pan in single layers. Place hot water in the pan, about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for eight to ten minutes.
If you haven’t eaten king crab legs because you thought they were too hard to make, you should start thinking about adding them to your regular diet!
Try out the above Alaskan King Crab recipes for yourself. Orders that are $300+ receive FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING!
Fresh king crab has a shelf life of 5-7 days. If properly glazed, however, frozen king crab legs can last up to 12 months.
No. You dont need to thaw them. Most frozen crab legs are already pre-cooked so they will just need to be heated. The best way to cook frozen crab legs is to put them in a colander or steamer over water that is quick to boil.
Steaming is one of the best options for cooking king crab legs. Make a pot with two cups of water and a tablespoon of salt. Then, boil them. 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. Cover with a lid and cook for six to ten minutes or until the crab is completely heated. When they begin to omit a “cooked odor,” they should be ready to eat. Serve with garlic butter, lemon wedges, and enjoy! Or check out these king crab dipping sauces.
When it’s warm outside and you want to eat outside, grilling king crab legs is a fun thing to do. For king crab legs to not stick when you grill them, you need to brush olive oil on all sides of them. Then, put the crab legs on a 300° grill and cook them for five minutes. Then, flip them over and cook for another five minutes, or until they are warm all the way through. Remove from the grill and serve with butter or sauce.
If you want the herbs and lemon flavors to come through in the cooking, baking king crab legs is the best way to do it. To bake crab legs, preheat oven to 350° degrees. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking pan in single layers. Place hot water in the pan, about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for eight to ten minutes. Want the latest on recipes, deals and new releases? Sign up here!.
How to Prepare King Crab Legs
How do you cook king crab legs?
Option 1: Boiled crab legs. Fill a large stockpot 3/4 of the way full with water, and add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the crab legs, bending the king crab legs as needed to submerge as much of the leg as possible in the water. Depending on the size of your pot, you may need to cook the legs in 2 batches.
How long do you cook crab legs?
This ensures even cooking and thorough cooking. The simplest approach to cooking crab legs is to boil them. Simply bring a pot of water to a boil and add about four to six legs (depending on size). Make sure to tuck in the legs and bend them, if necessary, so that they’re all underwater. Cook for about four to five minutes and enjoy.
How do you boil crab legs?
As with boiling crab legs, make sure you have a stockpot large enough to fit your crab legs. Place the steamer basket over 1 inch of water. Place the crabs in the steamer basket and bring the water to a boil. When the water has reached a boil, reduce the heat a simmer and cover the stockpot.
How long do you cook crab legs in a stockpot?
Depending on the size of your pot, you may need to cook the legs in 2 batches. Cover, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, and cook until completely heated through, about 5 minutes. Option 2: Steamed crab legs. Place a steamer basket in the bottom of a large stockpot. Add enough water to go1/2- to 1-inch up the sides.