The Best Ways On How To Cook Frozen Crab Legs [Update 2023]

Cooking frozen crab legs can be a challenging task, but with the right instructions, you can enjoy delicious and flavorful meals that your family or friends will adore. If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow guide on how to cook frozen crab legs, then look no further. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through all the tips and tricks you need to know in order to cook the perfect frozen crab legs – from the best defrosting techniques pair them with creative sauces and sides.

Different Types Of Crab Legs

Before we dive into how to cook frozen crab legs, it’s important to understand the different types of crab legs available in the market. There are three main types that you will come across: king crab legs, snow crab legs, and dungeness crab legs. Each type has its own unique taste and texture, so it’s worth experimenting with different variations to find your favorite.

How To Thaw Frozen Crab Legs?

To thaw frozen crab legs, there are a couple of methods you can follow. The most recommended way is to place them in the refrigerator overnight for at least 8 hours. This gradual thawing process ensures the best results.

However, if you are short on time or refrigerator space, you can opt for a faster method. Simply place the frozen crab legs in a colander and position it in a sink. Then, run cool water over the legs to accelerate the thawing process. It is important to note that this rapid thawing method should be used when time or space constraints exist. Now, let’s exploring “how to cook frozen crab legs?”.

How To Cook Frozen Crab Legs?

How To Steam Frozen Crab?

To steam frozen crab legs, follow these steps:

• Prepare a large stockpot by placing a steam basket at the bottom and adding 1 cup of water.
• Arrange the crab legs in the pot, ensuring that the lid can still be closed tightly.
• Bring the water to a boil and then cover the pot.
• Allow the crab legs to steam cook until they become fragrant and steaming hot. This usually takes around 5 minutes for thawed crab legs or 10 minutes for frozen ones.

Boiling Frozen Crab Legs

1. Boil the frozen crab legs by following these steps:
2. Fill a large pot with enough water to fully submerge the pieces.
3. Place the pot over medium high heat.
4. Add seasonings to the water, such as Old Bay seasoning, lemon slices, or bay leaves, for extra flavor.
5. Once the water is consistently boiling, add the thawed or frozen crab legs.

• For frozen king crab legs, boil for 10-12 minutes.
• For thawed king crab legs, boil for 4-6 minutes.
• For frozen snow crab legs, boil for 5-7 minutes.
• For thawed snow crab legs, boil for 3-4 minutes.

6. Drain the crab legs and serve them hot with butter and your preferred dipping sauces.

How To Bake Frozen Snow Crab Legs?

To bake frozen snow crab legs, follow these steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F or 175°C.
2. Place the thawed or frozen legs on a baking sheet.
3. Brush the legs with melted butter and your choice of seasonings, such as garlic, herbs, or lemon juice.
4. For frozen king crab legs, bake for 15-18 minutes.
5. For thawed king crab legs, bake for 10-12 minutes.
6. For frozen snow crab legs, bake for 12-15 minutes.
7. For thawed snow crab legs, bake for 8-10 minutes.
8. Serve hot with additional melted butter for dipping. You can also enhance the flavor by adding roasted air fryer garlic dice and drizzling it on the legs.

How To Open Crab Legs?

To open crab legs, follow these steps: Twist the crab leg at the joint and carefully remove the tendon. If necessary, wear gloves or use a dish towel to protect your hands. Use kitchen shears to cut through the shells, then gently pull apart the shell and extract the meat. Serve the crab legs with lemon wedges and melted butter for dipping.

How Many Crab Legs Per Person?

When considering the number of crab legs per person, it is recommended to offer an average of 2 legs per individual. Each leg of the humongous Alaskan king crab weighs around 1 1/2 pounds. Our king crab legs are conveniently packaged in 3-pound increments, suitable for a serving of 2 people, and scaling up accordingly. For a party of 4, we suggest 6 pounds of king crab legs, for 6 guests, 9 pounds, for 8 individuals, 12 pounds, and so on. It should be noted that the weight includes the shell as well.

Frozen Crab Legs Recipes

If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to cook frozen crab legs, here are a few recipes to try out:

• Garlic Butter Steamed Crab Legs: Steam the crab legs and serve with a garlic butter sauce made with melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Creamy Crab Salad Stuffed Avocados: Make a creamy crab salad with mayo, lemon juice, and seasonings. Serve it in avocado halves for a tasty appetizer or light meal.
• Crab Alfredo: Cook frozen crab legs with pasta and an alfredo sauce made from heavy cream, butter, parmesan cheese, garlic, and parsley.
• Grilled Crab Legs: Brush thawed crab legs with melted butter and grill them over medium-high heat for a smoky and savory flavor.

What Goes With Crab Legs?

There are many delicious options to accompany crab legs. Some classic choices include corn on the cob, coleslaw, cornbread, steamed artichokes, salad, roasted vegetables, steak, macaroni and cheese, and melted butter. These sides complement the succulent crab meat and enhance the overall dining experience.