Crab legs are the culinary term for the leg and claw meat from various species of crabs, particularly king crab and snow crab. These crab legs are prized for their sweet and tender meat. They are often available in seafood markets and restaurants and are typically served as a delicious and popular seafood dish.
Crab Legs
4
servings30
minutes10
minutesCrab legs are typically sold pre-cooked and frozen. They can be prepared in various ways, including steaming, boiling, baking, or grilling. The meat is usually removed from the shells, or you can find pre-cracked crab legs for easier consumption. Crab legs are often served with melted butter and lemon for dipping to enhance their flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound of crab legs (king crab, snow crab, or your choice)
1/2 cup of water
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of butter
1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning (or more to taste)
Lemon wedges
Melted butter (for dipping)
Directions
- If you are using frozen crab legs, thaw them in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Make sure they are fully thawed before cooking.
- You’ll need a large pot with a steaming basket or a steamer for this recipe. If you don’t have a steamer, you can use a large pot with a lid and a trivet to keep the crab legs out of the water.
- Pour the 1/2 cup of water into the pot and add the minced garlic and Old Bay seasoning. Mix well.
- Place the steaming basket or trivet in the pot and bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the water is boiling, place the crab legs in the steaming basket or on the trivet. Try to arrange them in a single layer for even cooking.
- Cover the pot with a lid and steam the crab legs for about 5-6 minutes for thawed crab legs or 10-12 minutes for frozen crab legs. The crab legs should be heated through, and the meat should be tender and flaky.
- Carefully remove the crab legs from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon. Transfer them to a serving platter.
- While the crab legs are steaming, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan or in the microwave.
- Serve the steamed crab legs with lemon wedges and melted butter on the side. To eat, crack open the crab legs and dip the meat into the butter, enjoying the flavorful and juicy crab meat.
