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5 from 3 votes

How to Cook Crab Legs

Learn how to cook crab legs for a delicious meal bursting with seafood flavors! Preparation only takes less than 15 minutes whether you’re steaming, boiling, baking, or grilling.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crab legs, how to cook crab legs
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 181kcal
Author: TipBuzz

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds crab legs king crab or snow crab (thawed)*
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 lemon
  • fresh parsley minced – optional

Instructions

  • We recommend defrosting the crab if frozen. This can be done by placing the package in the refrigerator overnight, or alternatively under cold running water for 15 minutes.

Boiled Crab Legs

  • Fill a 16-quart stockpot halfway with water and bring to a rolling boil.
  • Using long-handled tongs, add the defrosted crab legs to the pot, submerging completely.
  • Cover the pot and cook for 4 to 5 minutes for snow crab, or 6 to 8 minutes for king crab.
  • Remove from water and serve with lemon wedges and melted butter. Sprinkle optional fresh parsley on top.

Steamed Crab Legs

  • 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 4 to 5 minutes for snow crab, or 6 to 8 minutes for king crab.
  • Remove from the steamer and serve with lemon wedges and melted butter. Sprinkle optional fresh parsley on top.

Baked Crab Legs

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
  • Place the crab legs on a baking sheet and brush with melted butter.
  • Cover with aluminum foil, and bake until fully heated, about 7 to 8 minutes for snow crab or 10 to 12 minutes for king crab.
  • Remove from oven and serve with lemon wedges and melted butter. Sprinkle optional fresh parsley on top.

Grilled Crab Legs

  • Preheat the grill to medium or 350°F (177°C).
  • Place the crab legs on the grill and brush with melted butter.
  • Cover and grill for 7 to 8 minutes for snow crab, or 10 to 12 minutes for king crab. Optional: Flip the crab halfway through grilling for extra grill marks.
  • Remove from the grill and serve with lemon wedges and melted butter. Sprinkle optional fresh parsley on top.

Video

Notes

  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 713mg | Potassium: 211mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 375IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbs: 2g