How to Cook Frozen Crab Legs Perfectly Every Time

Cooking frozen crab legs may seem intimidating, but it’s easier than you think! With just a few simple steps, you’ll have tender, juicy crab legs that taste like they came straight from the ocean.

Why Choose Frozen Crab Legs?

Freezing seafood like crab legs helps maintain freshness and locks in flavor. Many ‘fresh’ crab legs at the grocery store are previously frozen anyway. Buying frozen crab legs lets you enjoy delicious crab at a fraction of the price of fresh. Look for solid, icy packages without signs of freezer burn or yellowing.

Frozen crab legs require a quick thaw before cooking This only takes 10-15 minutes under cool running water. Thawing ensures even cooking so the crab heats all the way through without overcooking the outside Never cook crab legs while fully frozen.

How Much Crab Per Person?

When serving crab as a main course, plan on 1 pound of legs per person. For appetizers or alongside other entrees, allow 1⁄2 pound per person. The great thing about crab legs is they provide built-in portion control!

Tips for Choosing Crab Varieties

Popular options like snow crab, king crab, and Dungeness can be used. Their sweet briny flavor is amazing with just simple steaming. Shellfish lovers also enjoy stone crab claws, although the meat yield is lower. Avoid imitation crab legs made from fish like pollock or cod.

Steaming Method for Perfect Results

Steaming is hands down the best cooking method for frozen crab legs. It gently warms the crab to succulent doneness without drying it out. Follow these easy steps:

What You Need:

Large pot with lid
Steamer basket or colander
Seafood seasoning (Old Bay)
Melted butter for dipping
Lemon wedges

Instructions:

Thaw frozen crab in cool water for 10-15 minutes until legs move freely at joints.
Fill pot with 2-3 inches water and generously season with Old Bay. Bring to a boil.
Place legs in steamer basket, not touching water.
Steam covered for 4-8 minutes until hot throughout. Check thickness.
Remove basket and transfer legs to a platter.
Brush with melted butter and squeeze lemon over top. Serve immediately!

The key is not to overcook the crab. Check for doneness early and err on the side of less time. The residual heat will continue gently warming the crab as it rests.

##Cooking Tips

Use tongs and oven mitts to carefully handle the hot steamer. Crab legs retain heat and can burn!
Add beer or white wine to the boiling water for extra flavor. Just avoid heavy seasonings that overpower the crab.
Let legs sit 1-2 minutes before cracking open. This makes it easier to extract the meat.
Provide crab crackers and shellfish forks so guests can easily access the tender meat.

Alternate Cooking Methods

While steaming remains the gold standard, you can also boil, grill, or bake thawed crab legs with decent results:

Boiling: Add legs to a pot of salted boiling water and cook 4-5 minutes. Drain well before serving.
Grilling: Toss legs in oil and grill over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, turning once. Charred spots add nice flavor.
Baking: Place legs on a baking sheet and roast at 375°F for 7-9 minutes until hot. Watch closely to prevent overbaking.

Perfect Pairings for Crab Legs

Crab’s sweet brininess complements so many flavors. Consider these tasty accompaniments:

Drawn butter – For dipping cracked legs
Lemon wedges – A bright, fresh squeeze
Garlic bread – Sop up all that butter!
Corn on the cob – Classic summer pairing
Coleslaw – Cool crunch alongside rich crab
Steak – Surf and turf perfection
Roasted potatoes – Starch to balance seafood
Asparagus – Elegant seasonal veggie

Don’t overcomplicate it! Crab is delicious with just a brush of garlic butter and lemon. Dip into the meaty leg clusters and savor the tender ocean goodness.

With this handy guide, you can stop wondering how to cook frozen crab legs. Just thaw, steam, crack, and enjoy! Dressing up store-bought frozen crab with special seasonings and sides makes it taste like a gourmet restaurant meal. Impress your family or guests with your culinary skills.

how to cook crab legs frozen

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

Tip 1: When cooking these Boiled Crab Legs, don’t stack them in the pot; cook them one at a time.
Tip 2: Most frozen crab legs are already cooked, so all you have to do is heat them up in boiling water. If so, be careful not to cook them too long, or the meat will get tough and lose its flavor.
Tip 3: Each person should have one pound of crab legs. This recipe for boiled crab legs can easily be doubled or even tripled if you’re having people over.
Tip 4: To make your Boiled Crab Legs taste even better, add some finely chopped garlic to the melted butter.

How to Cook Frozen Crab Leg : Making Meals Delicious

FAQ

Do you need to thaw frozen crab legs before cooking?

Thawing the legs before cooking is optional, but if you have the time, it’s worth it. The legs will steam faster and more evenly if thawed. Ideally, thaw them in a bowl overnight in the refrigerator, but if you’re tight on time, know that you can place them in a colander under cool running water until no ice remains.

Is it better to steam or bake frozen crab legs?

Don’t cook frozen crab legs. They are already cooked, so if you cook them further they well just get rubbery. You can thaw them and eat them cold or you can heat them in hot water, steam, a warm oven or even the microwave, just until they are hot. Whichever method you use, be careful not to overcook them.

How do you cook frozen king crab legs without thawing?

When cooking frozen crab legs, we recommend that you place them in a colander or steamer over rapidly boiling water. The pot should be about one-third of the way filled with water. You will need to cover the pot and steam your frozen crab legs for about ten minutes or until they are completely heated.