Learn to steam crab legs with this straightforward recipe that delivers candy, succulent meat in simply minutes. This easy but elegant methodology works completely with Alaskan King Crab, Snow Crab, or Dungeness Crab.
Skip the crowded all-you-can-eat crab legs buffet and make steamed crab legs at residence, in below quarter-hour. Pair your completely steamed legs with lemon wedges, wealthy garlic butter dipping sauce, or a daring Cajun dipping sauce for a restaurant-quality meal.
Whether or not you steam crab legs, bake crab legs, or grill crab legs, these strategies all carry out their naturally candy, tender meat—making them good for a easy but satisfying seafood dinner.
How Lengthy to Steam Crab Legs
Steaming crab legs takes simply 4-5 minutes of cook dinner time for smaller crabs and 10-14 minutes for bigger crabs. The entire time depends upon the kind of crab and whether or not it’s frozen, thawed, or contemporary.
Set your timer for the decrease finish of the steaming vary and test early to keep away from overcooking.
Alaskan King Crab Legs – King crab legs are thick and meaty, in order that they want a bit additional time to warmth by means of.
- Frozen (pre-cooked): 6–8 minutes
- Thawed (pre-cooked): 4–6 minutes
- Recent (raw): 10–12 minutes
Snow Crab Legs – Snow crab legs are thinner than king crab, in order that they warmth sooner.
- Frozen (pre-cooked): 5–7 minutes
- Thawed (pre-cooked): 4–5 minutes
- Recent (raw): 8–10 minutes
Dungeness Crab (legs or halves) – Dungeness crabs are sometimes bought entire or halved, so steaming time depends upon measurement.
- Frozen (pre-cooked): 7–9 minutes
- Thawed (pre-cooked): 5–7 minutes
- Recent (raw): 12–14 minutes
Blue Crab (entire or legs) – Blue crabs are sometimes smaller, in order that they steam sooner when entire.
- Frozen (pre-cooked): 5–6 minutes
- Thawed (pre-cooked): 4–5 minutes
- Recent (raw): 10–12 minutes
When steaming crab legs, test the flesh for coloration to make sure it’s heated by means of. It needs to be pearly white and opaque when able to go. Don’t go by the outside coloration, because it’s not an correct indication of temperature.
Steamed Crab Legs
As you possibly can see within the above picture, I’m utilizing the identical budget-friendly steamer basket I typically use for my Prompt Pot recipes—I like getting essentially the most out of my kitchen instruments through the use of them in numerous methods.
If you happen to don’t have a steamer basket or strainer insert, use a colander that matches inside your massive pot. Ideally, the lid can shut snugly.
If the lid doesn’t seal completely, you need to use aluminum foil to assist entice the steam. Be cautious when peeling again the foil, because the steam could be extraordinarily scorching.
Seasoning Choices
There are a number of straightforward methods so as to add additional taste to steamed crab legs. If you happen to’re going for a Cajun vibe, think about using Cajun seasoning, equivalent to Outdated Bay Seasoning, as a traditional alternative. In any other case, an excellent shake of salt and pepper does the trick.
And should you’re serving them with a tasty dipping sauce, you don’t want a lot else—they’ll be stuffed with taste as is.
Crab Leg Sauce
Palms down, there are two juicy crab sauce recipes we choose when making snow crab clusters:
Serving Suggestions
- Use a crab cracker, nutcracker, mallet, and even sharp kitchen shears to open the shells—keep away from utilizing a knife for security.
- Toss leftover crab meat into wealthy dishes like Kani Salad or Lobster Ravioli. Right here’s an inventory of over 20 crab recipes that may additionally make the most of leftover crab meat.
- Serving tip: Plan for about 12 oz. of Alaskan King Crab Legs or 16 oz. of Snow Crab Legs per individual.
Extra Seafood Recipes
Listed below are a number of extra in style seafood recipes to take a look at:
Find out how to Steam Crab Legs
Servings: 2 folks
Energy: 381kcal
Price: $20
Forestall your display from going darkish
Substances
Crab Legs
- 1½-2 lbs crab legs (*Word 1)
- melted butter and lemon slices, for serving
Directions
Add 1–2″ of water to a big pot. Add lemon wedges for additional taste, if desired.
Place a steamer basket or colander over the water so the crab legs will not be submerged.
As soon as the water is boiling, place the crab legs within the steamer basket and canopy. If the lid does not shut snuggly, cowl it with foil.
- Steam for 4–5 minutes for smaller pre-cooked crab legs. *Word 2Steam for 4–6 minutes minutes for bigger pre-cooked crab legs.For frozen or uncooked crab legs, see the chart within the notes part. *Word 3
Use tongs to take away the crab legs. Serve scorching or chilly with lemon wedges, butter, and dipping sauces.
Notes
- Frozen (pre-cooked): 6–8 minutes
- Thawed (pre-cooked): 4–6 minutes
- Recent (raw): 10–12 minutes
- Frozen (pre-cooked): 5–7 minutes
- Thawed (pre-cooked): 4–5 minutes
- Recent (raw): 8–10 minutes
- Frozen (pre-cooked): 7–9 minutes
- Recent (raw): 12–14 minutes
- Frozen (pre-cooked): 5–6 minutes
- Recent (raw): 10–12 minutes
Vitamin
Energy: 381kcal | Protein: 83g | Fats: 3g | Saturated Fats: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 0.4g | Ldl cholesterol: 191mg | Sodium: 3792mg | Potassium: 925mg | Vitamin A: 109IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 209mg | Iron: 3mg
