Microwaving precooked crab legs is a quick and easy way to enjoy this tasty seafood treat. With the right technique, you can microwave crab legs to tender, juicy perfection right from your freezer. But getting the timing right is key. Undercooking leaves crab meat tough and gummy, while overcooking makes it rubbery and dry. So how long should you nuke those legs for optimal enjoyment? Read on for a simple guide to microwaving crab legs including how long and tips for success.

Thawing is Crucial

Before microwaving, frozen crab legs must be thoroughly thawed. Thawing takes 8-12 hours in the refrigerator. If short on time, place legs in a colander and run cool water over them until thawed enough to bend slightly. Thawed crab legs will feel cool, not icy cold. Thawing before microwaving allows crab to heat evenly for best texture.

Recommended Microwaving Times

Microwave times vary based on leg size and microwave wattage. For best results, opt for 100-150 watt microwaves with turntables for even cooking. Below are general guidelines for microwaving times by crab leg size:

• Small legs (4-6 oz): 2-3 minutes
• Medium legs (8-12 oz): 3-4 minutes
• Large legs (1 lb+): 4-5 minutes

For clusters, add 1-2 minutes. Times are for thawed crab legs microwaved on high.

Check for Doneness

After microwaving, check that legs are fully cooked by looking for orange shell, squeezing meat to check firmness, and sampling a bite. Meat should be opaque and flaky. If needed, continue cooking in 30 second bursts, testing after each.

Microwaving Method

Here is a simple foolproof method for microwaving crab legs

• Place thawed legs in a microwave-safe dish in a single layer.
• Add 1-2 tbsp water per 1 lb legs.
• Loosely cover dish with vented plastic wrap or lid.
• Microwave on high using recommended times.
• Turn legs halfway through cooking.
• Let stand 2 minutes before serving.

Butter and Seasonings

For extra flavor, coat crab legs with melted butter before microwaving. After cooking, brush with additional melted butter and season with lemon juice, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning or other spices.

Handling Hot Legs

Use oven mitts to remove dish from microwave. Crab legs will be extremely hot right out of the microwave. Allow them to cool briefly before handling to avoid burns. Cracking open hot shells can lead to steam burns as well, so take care.

Serving Suggestions

Serve crab legs with dipping sauces like drawn butter, aioli or mustard-horseradish sauce. Pair with roasted vegetables or a bright, acidic slaw to balance the rich crab. Offer crab crackers, picks and wet wipes for easing meat from shells. Chilled white wine or beer make excellent beverage pairings.

Storage Tips

Leftover cooked crab legs keep 4-5 days refrigerated. Reheat gently in the microwave or by steaming briefly. The meat also freezes well for longer storage. Simply pack cooked meat into airtight containers and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Common Microwaving Mistakes

Avoid these common microwaving mistakes for best results:

• Not fully thawing legs before cooking
• Overcrowding dish instead of single layer
• Not covering dish, causing moisture loss
• Not turning legs halfway through
• Overcooking until meat is tough
• Undercooking leading to cold spots

Follow the tips in this guide and you’ll turn out tender, juicy crab legs in minutes. Now that you know exactly how long to microwave legs for perfect results, you can enjoy this seafood delicacy anytime with no fuss. Master this easy microwave technique and say goodbye to disappointing rubbery crab!

Microwave Crab Leg Recipes to Try

Now that you’ve learned the basics of microwaving crab legs, it’s time to explore flavorful recipes that put this skill to delicious use. Whip up one of these microwave crab leg dishes for a quick, impressive meal:

Lemon Garlic Crab Legs

• Thawed crab legs
• Melted butter
• Minced garlic
• Lemon juice
• Parsley

Toss crab legs with melted butter, garlic, lemon juice and parsley. Microwave 4-5 minutes until heated through.

Cheesy Baked Crab Legs

• Thawed crab legs
• Melted butter
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Breadcrumbs
• Old Bay seasoning

Brush crab with melted butter and top with cheese, breadcrumbs and Old Bay. Microwave until cheese melts.

Crab Leg Corn Chowder

• Thawed crab legs
• Frozen corn
• Cornstarch
• Half and half
• Old Bay seasoning

Microwave legs, corn and seasonings in broth 5 minutes. Stir in cornstarch paste and half and half. Cook 2 minutes more.

Crab Fried Rice

• Leftover crab meat
• Cooked rice
• Frozen vegetables
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil

Stir fry rice, vegetables, crab meat and seasonings. Microwave 2-3 minutes until hot.

Ready to Master Microwaved Crab?

Armed with this simple guide, you can now microwave crab legs like a pro. Simply thaw, add seasonings, microwave at the recommended times for each leg size, and finish with dipping sauces. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying tender, sweet crab meat within minutes. So break out those legs and get microwaving!