There are three easy ways to cook crab legs: boiling, steaming, and baking. In less than 10 minutes, each method will give you perfectly warmed crab meat. There are also lots of tips in this post on how to choose and cook the most common types of crab legs.
Fresh crab is every seafood lover’s dream. And the good news is that crab is super easy to cook at home. Why? Because the crab you purchase from your local fishmonger is already pre-cooked and frozen. Many people don’t realize this. But crab is immediately cooked and flash-frozen to preserve its freshness when it’s caught. That means all you have to do to cook crab is warm up the legs, which only takes a few minutes!
You can dip crab in a tasty sauce (I’ll talk more about that below), or you can use fresh crab as a protein in crab salad, bowls, and other things. It’s easy to make a crab boil dinner that looks fancy but is actually very simple because the crab is already cooked.
Succulent crab legs dripping with melted butter are a delicious treat and popular menu item. But achieving tender, flaky crabmeat inside the legs takes finesse. Knowing exactly how long to cook crab legs is key for perfect texture and flavor. Follow these timings and tips to serve up crab cooked just right.
Crab Leg Basics
Crab legs sold in stores are usually the back fins and hind legs of crabs. The most common varieties are:
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King crab legs: From Alaska’s famous red king crab. These extra-large, thick legs have moist meat with a sweet, delicate flavor.
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Snow crab legs: The long, thin legs of snow crab. The meat is tender with a rich taste.
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Dungeness crab legs Shorter and stouter than snow crab legs, with sweeter meat
No matter the type, proper cooking is essential to achieving juicy crabmeat and avoiding chewiness. The ideal method is fast, moist heat to quickly heat the meat without drying it out.
Boiling Crab Legs
Boiling is hands-down the easiest cooking method for crab legs. It quickly penetrates the shell while infusing the meat with seasonings. Here’s how:
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Use a large pot and add enough water to fully submerge the legs. Add salt garlic lemon, and other desired seasonings.
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Bring the seasoned water to a rolling boil. Gently add the legs and any claws, bending to fit.
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Maintain the boil and cook for 4-8 minutes depending on leg size. (See timing chart below for specifics.)
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Remove legs when done and serve immediately, slathered in melted butter.
Tips for perfect boiled crab legs:
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Make sure legs remain underwater – use a steamer rack if needed.
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Don’t overcrowd the pot, or the temperature will drop.
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Check for doneness early, as overcooking makes meat rubbery.
How Long Should You Boil Crab Legs?
Crab leg boiling times can range quite a bit based on their thickness and your taste preferences. Follow these guidelines for your best results:
King crab legs:
- Thick legs: 7-8 minutes
- Medium legs: 5-6 minutes
- Thin legs: 4-5 minutes
Snow crab legs:
- Thick cluster: 4-5 minutes
- Medium cluster: 3-4 minutes
- Thin legs: 2-3 minutes
Dungeness crab legs:
- Thick legs: 6-8 minutes
- Thin legs: 4-5 minutes
The meat should turn opaque and flake apart when fully cooked. If unsure, open one up – translucent sections need a bit longer. Don’t worry if some parts along the narrow edges remain gooey.
Steaming Crab Legs
Steaming is another easy, effective cooking method that preserves moisture. Simply place legs in a single layer in a steamer basket. Bring the water below to a boil and steam for 4-8 minutes depending on thickness.
Benefits of steaming crab legs:
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Legs poach gently in moist heat.
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No need to submerge or bend legs to fit.
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Seasonings can be added after cooking.
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Delicate taste and texture is preserved.
Grilling Crab Legs
For maximum flavor, grill crab legs on a hot barbecue in the summer. Use a veggie grill mat or perforated grill sheet to prevent them from slipping between the grates. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through. Brush with garlic-lemon butter while grilling for extra richness.
Tips for grilled crab legs:
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Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to slice through the bottom shell prior to grilling. This allows the heat to penetrate better.
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Baste the legs with butter several times while grilling. The crackers shells will absorb all the buttery goodness.
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Take care not to overcook, as crab meat dries out quickly on the barbecue.
Broiling Crab Legs
For easy indoor cooking with charred flavor, broil crab legs 5-6 inches under high heat for 4-7 minutes. Turn them over halfway through cooking. The high dry heat crisps the shell while melting the fat inside.
Broiling directions for crab legs:
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Place legs on a foil-lined pan and lightly coat with oil or butter.
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Broil for 3-4 minutes until reddish-brown. Flip and broil 3-4 minutes more.
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Check frequently to avoid burning.
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Brush with lemon-garlic butter after cooking for added flavor.
The Best Ways to Eat Crab Legs
Once your crab legs are cooked to tender perfection, it’s time to crack them open and enjoy! Here are some serving ideas:
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Serve legs whole with melted butter, lemon wedges, and shell crackers. Have guests pull the meat out themselves.
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For fuss-free eating, use a mallet or small hammer to crack shells prior to serving. Provide picks for pulling out meat.
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For a pretty presentation, crack shells and carefully remove meat. Serve chunks in ramekins with butter or sauce for dipping.
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Add crab meat to pastas, rice bowls, salads, or scrambled eggs.
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Mix with creamy fillings and stuff back into the shells for crab rangoon.
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Layer cracked legs on toasted bread with garlic mayo for open-faced crab sandwiches.
Crab legs are delicious and impressive, but only if you nail the cooking time. Mastering the simple art of preparing crab results in tender, succulent meat at its briny best. Just remember to set your timer, go low and slow, and test for doneness. Soon you’ll be serving up professional-level crab leg feasts.
Different Types of Crab Legs
There are over a dozen types of crabs you can eat across the world. But your local market will most likely have the options below. Let’s talk through these.
- This is the most common type of crab used in home cooking, and you’ve probably seen them before. Good news: Dungeness crab legs are usually sold in groups of three to five, and they don’t cost too much. Also, their meat is soft, slightly sweet, and slightly nutty, which makes it great for making crab salad or crab dip.
- King crabs: These are a bit more expensive and are sold by the piece, but the crab legs are worth it for a seafood boil when served on their own with butter. Their meat is sweet and tender, like lobster tails. They have twice as much meat as Dungeness crabs because their legs are so much bigger.
- If you don’t want to use king crab, snow crab is the next best thing for big legs. Their meat is sweet, savory, and a bit briny. Even better, the meat on snow crab legs is a beautiful white color, while king crab meat is bright red. Only bad thing is that they’re getting more expensive because of climate change and fewer people living in the area.
How Many Crab Legs Per Person?
You need to know how many crab legs each person will need for your seafood or crab boil. A simple way to figure this out is to remember that two to three clusters of crab legs weigh one pound. Each cluster includes crab legs, a claw, and a part of the shoulder.
Then, guess that each person will need about one pound, plus two pounds for someone who is really hungry or for seafood lovers at the table. If you’re making a “surf and turf” meal with filet mignon, 5 pounds is plenty.
Helpful tip: There’s a bit more meat in king crab legs compared to other varieties. So if you’ve got big seafood eaters, this could be a great option to buy with fewer legs.
How to Cook Crab Legs
FAQ
How long does it take to cook frozen crab legs?
How long to boil or steam crab legs?
How long does it take to cook 2 lb of crab legs?
How long do you boil crab for?
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 cook thawed crab legs?
Cover with cool water and bring to a boil. When the water is boiling, the crabs should be heated through. If you’re working with thawed crab legs, bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add your crab legs and blanche for about two to three minutes. It’s okay if the crab legs are piping hot all the way through.
How do you cook crab legs in a steamer?
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. Maintain a simmer as you steam the crab legs until they are heated through, 5-7 minutes.
How do you boil crab legs?
Step 1: Find a large pot and fill with water. The pot has to be large enough to hold crab legs that can be submerged in water, while leaving an inch at the top. You have to be careful of water boiling over the top by not filling it completely with crab legs! Boil multiple pots as needed. Step 2: Bring water to a boil.