It makes our mouth water just thinking of preparing a crab leg feast. The best part is that crab legs are one of the easiest seafood dishes you can make at home. Also, cooking them at home will save you a lot of money, so enjoy an extra pound or two. There’s no need to worry about making this tasty dinner. We’ll show you how to cook king crab and snow crab legs in different ways, as well as how to eat them and serve them in the best way. There are pros and cons to each way of cooking, and we’ll also give you our best tips for always making crab legs that are just right.
Is It Better to Boil or Steam Crab Legs? A Detailed Comparison
Crab legs are a delicious and popular seafood option When cooking crab legs at home, the two most common cooking methods are boiling and steaming. But which method results in better-tasting crab legs? There is an ongoing debate over whether it’s better to boil crab legs or steam them In this article, we’ll compare boiling vs steaming crab legs and go over the pros and cons of each method. Read on to find out whether boiling or steaming is the way to go for perfect crab legs every time.
Steaming Crab Legs
Steaming is a moist-heat cooking method that uses steam to cook food. To steam crab legs, place them in a steamer basket or perforated insert set over boiling water. The steam envelops the crab legs and cooks them gently and evenly
Here are some of the main pros and cons of steaming crab legs
Pros:
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Steaming locks in moisture and flavor. The crab legs essentially cook in their own juices, keeping them tender and juicy.
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Steamed crab legs have a more natural, sweet crab flavor since they don’t absorb much water.
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Steaming cooks the crab legs evenly, preventing over or undercooking.
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Easy cleanup as steaming doesn’t require much added liquid.
Cons:
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Steaming takes longer than boiling. Frozen crab legs may need 12-15 minutes to steam vs. 5-8 minutes to boil.
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Only a limited amount of crab legs will fit in a steamer at once. For larger batches, boiling may be faster.
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Need specialized equipment like a steamer basket. Boiling just requires a pot.
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Slight loss of vitamins and minerals leached out by the steam.
Boiling Crab Legs
Boiling uses a large pot of boiling water to cook the crab legs. The crab legs are submerged directly into rapidly bubbling water.
Here are some key pros and cons of boiling crab legs:
Pros:
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Boiling cooks crab legs very quickly, usually in just 5-8 minutes. Great for cooking frozen crab legs.
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Simple to do. Just requires a large pot, no special equipment.
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Can boil a lot of crab legs at once as opposed to steaming. Good for feeding a crowd.
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Boiling leaches flavors from spices into the crab for more flavor infusion.
Cons:
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Boiled crab legs will have a waterlogged texture if overcooked.
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The natural sweetness of the crab is diluted by absorbing water.
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Higher likelihood of uneven cooking compared to steaming.
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Can lose some nutrients into the boiling water.
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Messier cleanup as you have a pot of water to drain afterwards.
Key Differences Between Boiled vs. Steamed Crab Legs
To summarize the main differences:
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Steamed crab legs retain more natural crab flavor while boiled crab legs absorb more seasoning from the liquid.
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Steaming locks in moisture for a tender, juicy texture while boiling can lead to waterlogged crab if overdone.
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Steaming cooks evenly from the steam heat while boiling can have varying doneness depending on each leg’s position.
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Steaming takes longer while boiling is a faster option for cooking frozen crab legs.
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Boiling can accommodate larger batches more easily while steaming is limited by the steamer basket size.
Steaming vs. Boiling Taste Test
A research study in the journal Food Science & Nutrition actually tested the taste differences between boiled and steamed crab. They evaluated 4 cooking methods: steaming from hot start water, steaming from cold start water, boiling from hot start water, and boiling from cold start water.
The results found that crab legs steamed from hot start water had the best overall sensory and taste quality. They were sweeter and more umami-flavored compared to boiled crab legs.
Crab legs boiled from cold start water ranked second best in taste. The researchers noted that boiling leached out more sweet compounds from the crab legs, though it decreased their natural umami crab flavor.
So in the test, steamed crab legs edged out boiled legs for producing better taste and texture. But even among boiling methods, starting from cold water was better than dropping crab legs into already boiling water.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Crab Legs
Whichever cooking method you opt for, here are some tips to ensure deliciously cooked crab legs:
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If boiling, wait until water is at a rolling boil before adding legs.
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For steaming, make sure there is actively rising steam before adding legs to the basket.
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Season the water or steam with Old Bay or other crab seasonings (optional).
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Don’t overload the pot or steamer basket. Give legs room to cook evenly.
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Cook frozen legs 1-2 minutes longer than thawed. Check for opacity and reddish color.
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Avoid overcooking. Crab can go from tender to rubbery quickly.
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Brush with melted butter after cooking and serve with lemon wedges.
The Verdict: It Depends!
So is it better to boil or steam crab legs? The answer is that it depends! Here are some general guidelines:
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If you value speed and want to cook large batches, boiling may be better.
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If you prefer gentle, even cooking with a tender texture, opt for steaming.
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If you want pure, sweet crab flavor, steaming is likely the way to go.
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If you want your crab legs fully infused with seasoning, try boiling them with spices.
No matter which method you choose, perfectly cooked crab legs can make for an amazing meal. Now that you know the boiling vs. steaming pros and cons, you can decide the best crab cooking method for your preferences. Get ready to enjoy tender, sweet, and succulent crab legs!
How to Eat Crab Legs
If you haven’t had crab legs before, it may take a bit of getting the hang of it. It’s worth the wait! To open your crab leg shells, you can use a seafood cracker or a small wooden mallet. Just be aware of small pieces of shells that may sometimes find their way into the meat. The easiest way to open and remove the meat is by splitting the legs with kitchen shears.
Hold the leg firmly while cutting a slit down the length of the leg shell. Once it is split in half, use your thumbs to gently pull the two shell sides apart. The meat will come out in one long piece.
Your kitchen shears will work best for king crab legs because their shells are thicker and bigger.
Instant Pot Crab Legs
Don’t you love how easy instant pots make everything? Well, your snow crab and king crab legs are no different. Depending on the size of your instant pot, this method might only work for smaller meals or maybe snow crab clusters. However, it does keep the legs moist and flavorful.
Place the trivet into your six-quart instant pot and add one cup of water.
Add three to four clusters of fresh or frozen crab legs per batch. Carefully fold the legs to fit them adequately. Helpful tip: thawed legs are easier than frozen to fold and fit for this method. Close lid and cook on manual high pressure for four minutes, then quick release. Repeat with additional batches using the same water.
When you boil your crab, the water can get between the cooked meat and shell, which keeps the legs juicy and moist. A lot of people like this quick and easy method, but some people say it can leave their legs a little wet if they don’t drain them all the way. Here’s how to boil your snow or king crab like a pro:
Fill a large pot with water and a pinch of salt, then bring to a boil.
Carefully fold the legs at the joints, then put them in the boiling water. Simmer them right away for four to five minutes. Remove from water, drain legs, cool for a few minutes, and serve.
Steaming crab legs is similar to the boiling method. A lot of people say that steaming is better because the crab flavor stays inside the shell instead of leaching into the water. Most steaming baskets can only hold about a pound of crab legs, so keep that in mind when you plan your meal.
Place your steamer basket over one inch of water. It’s important to be careful when putting your king or snow crabs in the steamer basket. Boil the water.
Turn down the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for five to six minutes if the food is frozen or ten minutes if it is thawed. Maintain a simmering state to heat the legs throughout.
How to Cook Crab Legs
What is the difference between boiled and steamed crab legs?
Steamed crab legs – Their flavor doesn’t seep into the water, making them more flavorful than boiled ones. This method is similar to boiling, but the crab legs aren’t submerged in water. The downside is that you need a steamer basket and can’t fit many legs into it, requiring you to cook in batches. Boiled crab legs – Crab legs are boiled in a large pot of salted water. The water absorbs some of the crab’s flavor during cooking.
How do you boil crab legs?
To boil crab legs, make sure you have a large enough stockpot to fit them. Place a steamer basket over 1 inch of water. Place the crab legs in the steamer basket and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the stockpot.
How do you cook crab legs in a steamer?
To cook crab legs in a steamer, first, arrange the basket in a pot large enough to hold the crab legs and a tight-fitting lid, and fill it with an inch or two of water. Bring the water to a boil, then place the crab legs in the steamer basket. Season or salt the water (see note below).
Is steaming crab better than boiling?
Here’s what I found: A study by Wiley Food Science & Nutrition found that steaming produces better-tasting crabs. While it was only a slight difference, crabs placed in steaming water ranked higher in taste and texture. Boiled crabs, placed in cold water heated to a boil, ranked the lowest.