You can make this crab leg dinner recipe during the week because it’s so easy. It’s the perfect gift for seafood lovers in your life.
My ideal meal is one that tastes fancy but only takes a few simple steps to make. This easy crab legs dinner fits that description perfectly. It reminds me quite a bit of my Butter Poached Lobster Tails recipe. Both of these recipes are fantastic for a special occasion dinner. And, they’re easy enough to whip up on a weeknight.
If this is your first time making crab legs, don’t worry! Most of them are already cooked and frozen, so all we need to do is heat them up!
When people want to heat up crab legs, they usually steam or boil them. But I like to bake them instead. That’s it! You only need a sheet pan for this simple recipe. No steamer basket or heavy pot of boiling water. It’s beyond easy, and clean-up takes less than a minute. Big win!.
I like baking crab legs because it’s easy to add flavor. In this recipe, I brush the crab legs with a garlicky butter sauce before they cook. There are many ways to make the garlic butter sauce your own. I’ll give you some ideas below.
For preparation, you will need to wash the potatoes (if they aren’t pre-washed), and trim your brussels sprouts. If you aren’t a Brussels sprouts fan, I get it! I have a few substitution suggestions below. It’s okay to substitute your favorite veggie!.
You don’t need to thaw the crab legs before baking them, but you do need to prepare the vegetables. So, no need to take the crab out of the freezer to thaw!.
Looking for more seafood recipes? Check out all of my salmon recipes and shrimp recipes on Blackberry Babe.
I think the best recipe is the one you already have on hand. If you’re new to my blog (Blackberry Babe), I’ll remind you that. Here are some ideas for what you can use instead of the ingredients you don’t have.
Crab legs are a delicious and luxurious seafood treat With their sweet, succulent meat and fun cracking experience, they make a wonderful meal But eating crab legs by themselves can get boring after a while. That’s why it’s great to have recipes on hand to transform crab legs into enticing, full-blown meals.
In this article, I’ll share 25 amazing recipes for cooking with crab legs. They range from crab leg appetizers and sides to main dishes that make crab the star of the show. I’ll also offer tips on how to choose, store, and prepare crab legs.
So get ready to take your crab legs up a notch with these creative and mouthwatering recipe ideas!
Choosing and Storing Crab Legs
When buying crab legs, choose legs that are heavy for their size and have a fresh, seafood aroma. Avoid any with an off or fishy smell. The best kinds for eating whole include king crab, snow crab, and Dungeness crab.
Store fresh crab legs in the coldest part of your fridge for 2-3 days max. For longer storage, place in freezer bags and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.
Preparing Crab Legs
To prepare crab for cooking, use kitchen shears to cut through the bottom shell lengthwise. This allows Seasonings and flavors to penetrate better. Leave claws and joints intact for presentation.
Crack shells with a mallet or crab crackers. Extract meat gently with a seafood fork. Refrigerate leftover meat for 2-3 days.
Now let’s get to those recipes!
1. Baked Crab Legs with Garlic Lemon Butter
Baking crab legs locks in moisture and infuses butter flavors. This garlic lemon version is bright and irresistible. Serve with roasted potatoes or rice.
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 20 mins
2. Air Fryer Crab Legs with Old Bay Seasoning
The air fryer makes crab legs crispy outside and tender inside in minutes. A dash of Old Bay seasoning adds signature crab flavor.
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 15 mins
3. Crab and Artichoke Dip
This hot and cheesy baked dip combines lump crabmeat, marinated artichokes, cream cheese, and parmesan. Serve with crackers or bread.
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 30 mins
4. Crab Cakes with Homemade Remoulade
These crab cakes are packed with sweet crab and get pan-seared for a crispy exterior. The remoulade sauce adds zing.
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 25 mins
5. Crab Salad Lettuce Wraps
Fresh, healthy lettuce wraps are filled with a colorful crab salad made with mango, avocado and basil. Perfect for lunches and light dinners.
Prep Time: 15 mins Total Time: 15 mins
6. Crab Alfredo Zoodles
For a low-carb, lighter take on crab Alfredo, spiralized zucchini stands in for pasta. It soaks up the creamy, crab-studded sauce nicely.
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 25 mins
7. Sheet Pan Lemon Butter Crab Legs
Cooking crab legs on a sheet pan lets you add potatoes and veggies for a complete meal. Lemon butter enhances the sweet crab flavor.
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Total Time: 35 mins
8. Easy Crab Quiche
With a custardy egg base, cheeses, and crab, this impressive brunch quiche has great flavors in every slice. freeze leftovers!
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 40 mins Total Time: 55 mins
9. Crab Wontons
These crispy baked crab rangoon wontons are stuffed with a creamy crab and cream cheese filling. Much healthier than fried versions!
Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 45 mins
10. Crab Louie Salad
A classic crab Louie features crab meat, hard boiled eggs, avocado and tomatoes on salad greens. Serve the tangy dressing on the side.
Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 20 mins
11. Crab Ceviche
Marinating raw crab in citrus juices “cooks” it, yielding a refreshing, lime-kissed ceviche. Pairs nicely with tortilla chips.
Prep Time: 25 mins Marinate Time: 1 hr Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
12. Noodle Bowls with Crab and Bok Choy
Ramen noodle bowls get a tasty upgrade with crab meat, baby bok choy, mushrooms, ginger and garlic. Quick to make and customize.
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 20 mins
13. Crab Dip Stuffed Mushrooms
These baked mushrooms make perfect party appetizers. They’re filled with a creamy hot crab and artichoke dip.
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 20 mins
14. Crab Fried Rice
Transform leftover rice into quick crab fried rice with crab, snow peas, eggs and soy sauce. An easy weeknight meal.
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 20 mins
15. Thai Crab Cakes with Peanut Sauce
Thai red curry paste and cilantro add bold flavor to these crab cakes. Peanut dipping sauce completes the Thai theme.
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 25 mins
16. Crab and Avocado Stacked Toasts
For an easy appetizer, top toasted bread with crab salad, avocado and lime juice. The flavors pop!
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Total Time: 15 mins
17. Maryland Crab Soup
This hearty crab and vegetable soup features Old Bay seasoning for signature Maryland flavor. Like eating Maryland in a bowl!
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Total Time: 40 mins
18. Brunswick Stew with Crab
Brunswick stew is upgraded with lump crab meat in this hearty Southern classic. Ladle into bread bowls for serving.
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Total Time: 40 mins
19. Crab Mac and Cheese
Who can resist mac and cheese made even better with crab? This indulgent casserole bakes up with a crispy top crust.
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Total Time: 45 mins
20. Crab Frittata with Goat Cheese
This easy brunch-worthy frittata combines crab meat, spinach and tangy goat cheese. Cut into wedges for serving.
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Total Time: 35 mins
21. Corn and Crab Chowder
Sweet corn and crab pair wonderfully in this velvety chowder. Garnish with bacon crumbles if desired.
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Total Time: 35 mins
22. Crab and Poblano Pepper Soup
This spicy Mexican-style soup gets heat from poblano peppers and richness from cheese. Top with crab meat and avocado.
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Total Time: 35 mins
23. Crab Salad Sandwiches
A simple crab salad of mayo, celery, onion and lemon gets piled onto rolls for easy sandwiches. Enjoy anywhere!
Prep Time: 15 mins Total Time: 15 mins
24. Crab Pasta Salad
Cook up some fun pasta shells for this picnic-ready crab pasta salad with cucumber, red onion and Greek yogurt dressing.
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 25 mins
25. Garlic Roasted Crab Legs
Roasting crab legs on a baking sheet lets you infuse tons of garlic butter flavor as they cook. So good!
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 20 mins
Ready to Cook with Crab Legs!
There you have it – 25 recipes that show off delicious ways to prepare crab legs. From dip appetizers to noodle bowls, the possibilities are endless.
I hope you discovered some new favorite recipes for your crab legs. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add your own twists too. Crab is such a versatile ingredient after all.
Now the only thing left to do is pick a recipe and get cooking! Enjoy those sweet, succulent crab legs in all their glory. Personally I can’t wait to try that Easy Crab Quiche first.
Garlic Butter Crab Legs with Brussels Sprouts and PotatoesYield:
That’s right, you can make this crab leg dinner during the week! It’s the perfect gift for seafood lovers in your life.
- 1 pound baby yellow potatoes (size C)
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2-3 frozen snow crab leg clusters
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, divided
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Put the Brussels sprouts and potatoes on a large sheet pan with a lip around the edge. Add olive oil and Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss until evenly combined.
- Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Melt the butter and add the garlic and Cajun seasoning to a small saucepan. Heat on low heat until melted, whisking often.
- Remove sheet pan from the oven. Put some Parmesan cheese on top of the Brussels sprouts and potatoes, and then mix them together.
- On top of the potatoes and Brussels sprouts, put the crab clusters. Spread half of the butter mixture over the crab legs.
- Put the sheet pan back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Take the sheet pan with the crab legs out of the oven 10 minutes after putting it in there.
- For dipping, use the rest of the seasoned melted butter and some fresh lemon juice from the lemon wedges to go with the warm, cooked crab legs and sides.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The nutrition for this recipe is calculated by an app and may be incorrect.
Crab Leg Dinner Recipe Additions:
Make this crab leg dinner your own with one of these additions:
- To make the butter more spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- To make the butter taste more savory, add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
- To make the butter mixture more acidic, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of dry white wine.
Looking for more crabby inspiration? Check out all the crab recipes on Blackberry Babe.
You can make a full meal with this easy way to cook crab legs. For sides, I like a green salad, garlic bread, or corn on the cob. If you want more ideas, check out my list of 15 of the Best Side Dishes for Crab Legs.
To eat the juicy crab meat, you will need a crab cracker, a small fork or a pair of kitchen shears! Once you’ve freed the sweet meat, dip it in the leftover seasoned butter for extra flavor! I recommend using ceramic butter warmers if you want to keep the butter warm for dipping.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Gently steam or microwave to reheat.
You can also choose to wrap the leftover crab legs in plastic wrap and freeze for 2-3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge before gently reheating.
You Won’t Want To Cook Crab Legs Any Other Way | Quick & Easy Garlic Butter Crab Legs Recipe
FAQ
What is the best way to cook crab legs?
Should you soak crab legs before cooking?
What to serve with crab legs?
A creamy and rich, buttery concoction with a hint of garlic powder is the quintessential companion to enhance the natural sweetness of crab meat. But what about the sides that will make your meal filling and well-rounded? Check out my list of 15 ideas to serve with crab legs for your seafood feast! 1. Garlic Butter Linguine
What to eat with crab legs & aioli?
Best Side Dishes: Pair your crab legs with a refreshing side salad, such as a citrus arugula salad or a cucumber and dill salad. The crispness and acidity of the salad will balance out the richness of the crab legs and Spicy Aioli. Grilled Vegetables: Serve grilled vegetables alongside your crab legs and Spicy Aioli for a well-rounded meal.
What can I add to crab legs?
Mustard isn’t just for sandwiches anymore. You can also use mustard to jazz up your crab legs. Try adding some shop bought mustard for a quick and easy addition. 4. Horseradish Cream Horseradish cream is another option for dipping your crab. This creamy horseradish sauce has a kick that will definitely spice up your crab legs.
What side goes with crab legs?
Creamy potatoes with garlic and cheese is one of those classic sides that pair so well with a main course of different types of crab legs. We also love cheddar chive mashed potatoes with crab as well. Now that you have a variety of sides to pair with your crab legs, don’t forget to bookmark how to reheat crab legs for your leftovers!