Do you love steamed crab legs but aren’t quite sure how long to actually steam them? Most of the crab legs you find at the store are cooked and frozen so they only need to be reheated. Read on to find out more about preparing perfectly steamed crab legs yourself.
Since crab legs are most often pre-cooked before being frozen, steaming them is the best way to prepare them. It’s so simple and only takes a few minutes.
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What Are The Best Crab Legs?
The preparation method is the same with all varieties of crab legs, so you can feel free to choose the kind you like best. Whether it’s king crab, snow crab, or Dungeness crab, preparation is the same.
This recipe uses king crab legs because they are long and filled with plenty of juicy, tender meat. They’re easy to open so you can do that before steaming to make them easier to eat.
How To Season Crab Legs
You can season crab legs with any spices or flavorings you like but the easiest and tastiest way to season them is with simple lemon juice and melted butter.
If you prefer a spicier taste, you can add some Old Bay Cajun seasoning. Crab legs can also be steamed in beer for a flavorful taste.
Defrosting Crab Legs
Crab legs are quickly cooked and flash frozen as soon as they’re caught to ensure they are as fresh as possible when consumed. You will have to ensure they are thawed before you begin steaming them.
To thaw crab legs safely, put them in the refrigerator for about 8 hours or overnight. You can also place them in cold, salted water to speed up the thawing process.
How to Steam Crab Legs
- Cooking Crabs Legs with a Steamer: Once crab legs are fully thawed, bring a steamer to a boil and add them in for about 6 or 7 minutes. They are done when they feel hot on the outside and begin to give off a savory aroma.
- Cooking Crabs Legs without a Steamer: Place a stainless steel colander inside a large pot. Add 3 inches of water to the pot and bring to a boil. Place the crab legs in the colander for 8 to 9 minutes, until hot on the outside and fragrant.
How Long To Steam Crab Legs
This will depend largely on the size of your steamer and the size of the crab legs. Snow crab is thinner and can be ready in as little as five minutes. King crab may take 8 or 9 minutes. If your steamer is very small, it may be quicker to steam them with a large pot instead. The more crab is crowded into the steamer, the longer it will take to cook.
Is It Better To Steam Or Boil Crab Legs?
Steaming them is simple and easy to do. You can boil them if you like but steaming may actually offer a more flavorful result. You can try both methods yourself to see which one you like better personally.
How Do You Know When Your Crab Legs Are Done?
Crab legs cook quickly. They can be ready in just a few minutes whether you steam or boil them. If you want to be really sure they’re safe to eat, look at the color of the flesh. It should be white with a tinge of red or orange color to it. If it begins to turn pink, it is overcooking. Do not cook for too long as the result will be a chewy, rubbery texture.
How to Eat Crab Legs
Pre-scored crab legs are easy to open. You can pry them open and pull the meat out with your hands or a small fork. If they are not pre-scored, you can crack them with a crab or lobster cracker. Even a meat tenderizer can be used to smash the shell open. Just try not to damage the shell too much as tiny fragments can get stuck in the meat.
Once you get the hang of it, cracking crab legs is easy to do. Pull out the meat and dip straight into your lemon garlic melted butter sauce. Delicious!
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce For Crab
This simple sauce is a perfect complement to any seafood dish. You can make it ahead of time and heat it when your crab is ready to eat. Just melt some butter with crushed garlic or garlic salt, fresh lemon juice, and a dash of salt. Stir to combine and voilà!
How to Steam Crab Legs
Ingredients
- 3 pounds crab legs king crab or snow crab (thawed)*
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 lemon
- fresh parsley minced – optional
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil.
- Carefully place the steamer basket in the pot. (Regular steamer baskets can hold about 1-1.5 pounds, so steam in batches if needed.)
- Using tongs, add the crab legs to the steamer basket. Cover and steam for 6-7 minutes.
- Remove from the steamer and serve with lemon wedges and melted butter. Sprinkle optional fresh parsley on top.
Notes
- *Ensure your crab legs are thawed completely before use.
- To eat king crab legs: cut the crab legs in half with a knife or scissors to expose the flesh.
- To eat snow crab legs:
- Pull legs and claw off the cluster, breaking each piece at the joint. Bend each leg gently until the shell breaks and the meat will come out of the shell in lumps.
- For the claws, use a crab leg cracker to break the shell. Peel off the shell and take the meat out.
- For the cluster, you can pick meat out with a fork.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days to use in seafood salad or sandwiches.
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