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.
Steamed crab legs are a delicious treat that can seem intimidating for home cooks to make. However, steaming crab legs is actually quite easy and only takes 10-15 minutes to yield tender, juicy, restaurant-quality crab legs. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to master steaming crab legs right in your own kitchen.
An Overview of Steaming Crab Legs
Steaming is hands down the best cooking method for reheating pre-cooked frozen crab legs to serve at home. The gentle moist heat helps retain the sweet flavor, tender texture, and natural juices of the crab meat. It also cooks the legs more evenly compared to boiling.
Most commercially sold crab legs are pre-cooked and flash frozen. Thawing them before steaming allows them to cook more quickly and evenly. Thawed legs take about 10-15 minutes to steam while frozen legs may take 15-20 minutes.
You simply need a large pot, a steamer basket or colander and seasonings to transform thawed or frozen crab legs into a luxurious appetizer or entree. Read on for more details on how to perfectly steam crab legs.
Selecting Crab Legs to Steam
The two most popular varieties of crab legs available are king crab and snow crab
King crab legs are meatier and thicker coming from the larger king crabs found in Alaska. Snow crab legs are longer, thinner, and less meaty but still packed with sweet delicate flavor.
When buying crab legs for steaming opt for legs that are harvested sustainably. Reputable sellers like Sizzlefish provide information on where their crab is sourced from to help inform your purchase.
Look for crab legs that are freshly frozen – not thawed and refrozen – for best quality. The crab legs should not have any off odors or excessive ice crystals which can indicate they’ve been refrozen.
Thawing Frozen Crab Legs
For best results, thaw frozen crab legs before steaming them. Thawed legs will steam more quickly and evenly than frozen legs.
There are two easy methods to safely thaw frozen crab legs:
- Refrigerator thawing: Place legs in a bowl to catch drips and thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Cold water thawing: Submerge legs in a colander under cold running water until thawed, about 30 minutes.
Once thawed, pat the legs dry with paper towels before seasoning.
If you’re tight on time, you can steam frozen legs. Just add 5-10 extra minutes to the steaming time.
Seasoning Crab Legs
Plain steamed crab can be a little bland. Take your crab legs to the next level by seasoning them before steaming.
Crab legs pair well with:
- Old Bay seasoning
- Lemon juice and zest
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- Dried parsley or dill
For easy seasoning, you can toss thawed legs with 1-2 tablespoons of Old Bay. Or mix together a homemade blend using dried spices like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Spritz lemon juice over the legs once steamed for a nice fresh flavor. Provide lemon wedges for squeezing over the crab when eating.
How to Steam Crab Legs
Follow these simple steps for foolproof steamed crab legs every time:
1. Prep the Steamer
Fill a large pot with 1-2 inches of water. Place a metal steaming basket or colander inside. The pot should be large enough that the lid can still fit snugly.
Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low so the water is at a gentle simmer.
2. Add Seasoned Legs
Carefully place the thawed, seasoned crab legs into the steaming basket, arranging them in a single layer.
Make sure the legs are not overcrowded or overlapping too much so steam can circulate evenly.
3. Steam
Cover the pot with the lid and set a timer. Steam for 10-15 minutes for thawed legs and 15-20 minutes for frozen.
Check frequently and rotate the legs around midway through for even cooking.
4. Finish and Serve
When done, the shell will turn bright orange-red and the meat will be hot throughout. Gently remove the steamed legs from the basket.
Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, and any other desired sauces. Enjoy cracking open the tender, juicy legs!
Steaming Tips
- If you don’t have a steamer basket, a regular metal colander will also work. Place it right in the pot.
- Add aromatics like lemon slices, garlic cloves, or fresh herbs to the steaming water for extra flavor.
- Steaming crab legs does not have to be complicated. Simple seasoned salt water is all you need for delicious results.
- Brush legs with melted butter or olive oil before steaming for added richness and flavor.
- Resist the urge to open the lid frequently while steaming. Opening the lid stops the buildup of steam needed for fast, even cooking.
How to Know When Crab Legs Are Done
Here are signs your steamed crab legs are perfectly cooked:
- The shell turns bright orange-red throughout
- The meat feels hot when you insert a fork in the thickest part
- The meat pulls cleanly away from the shell
- The leg segments easily snap off at the joints
When in doubt, it’s better to slightly undercook vs. overcook the legs. You can always put undercooked legs back in the steamer for a few more minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Beyond melted butter, here are some tasty ways to serve your steamed crab legs:
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Lemon garlic butter – Whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley.
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Cocktail sauce – A classic pairing, mix ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
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Mustard sauce – Make a simple sauce with Dijon mustard, mayo, and lemon.
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Mignonette sauce – For an elegant upgrade, a tangy shallot and vinegar sauce.
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On cheesy grits or pasta – Sprinkle steamed meat over creamy grits or pasta.
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In lettuce wraps – For a low carb option, serve meat wrapped in lettuce leaves.
Storing Leftover Crab Legs
Steamed crab legs will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Let the cooked legs cool completely before storing.
Wrap legs tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. You can also wrap in foil then place in a freezer bag.
To reheat, place still wrapped legs in a 300°F oven or steamer basket for 5-10 minutes until hot throughout. The gently reheated crab meat will still be tender and moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best crab legs for steaming?
King crab and snow crab legs are ideal varieties for steaming. Their elongated shape allows steam to circulate evenly. Legs from blue crabs and Dungeness crabs can also be steamed but may be better boiled since they’re smaller.
Can I steam crab claws or clusters?
Absolutely! Halved claws, whole claws, and crab body clusters can all be steamed using the same method. Add a few extra minutes to the steaming time to ensure the thicker claw and body meat is fully cooked.
Do I need to add seasoning to the steaming liquid?
Seasoning the steaming water is optional. At minimum, add a pinch of salt. You can also flavor it with Old Bay, lemon slices, herbs, garlic, or white wine. But plain water will still yield delicious crab legs.
Is it better to boil crab legs instead of steaming them?
Steaming is widely preferred over boiling when cooking crab legs. The gentle steam heat prevents the crab from drying out or becoming rubbery like it can when boiled vigorously. Steaming also minimizes the amount of water absorbed into the leg cavity.
Can I steam frozen crab legs in the microwave?
It’s best not to microwave frozen crab legs as the meat near the edges can overcook before the interior thaws. Thaw them first, then microwave briefly just to reheat. Steaming thawed legs on the stovetop is still the superior method.
Steaming crab legs is one of the easiest ways to cook up this decadent seafood at home. In just 10-20 minutes, you can enjoy tender, restaurant-quality crab legs that will impress any crowd. Once you get the basic method down, experiment with different seasonings and sauces to make this dish
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.
