Craving perfectly cooked king crab legs? You’re in the right place. Read on to discover exactly how to take them from your freezer to your at home feast with ease.
Thaw. Heat. Eat.
Your Red King Crab legs arrive pre-cooked, and there are several great ways to warm them depending on the occasion, whether you want a quick weeknight reheat or a show-stopping setup for a special dinner. In just a few simple steps, you’ll be ready to serve up a feast that turns dinner into an unforgettable memory.
Thaw
Upon receiving your crab legs, remove them from their original packaging. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove any ice or residue. Place the crab legs on a cookie sheet lined with a wire rack or cooling rack, then set the sheet in your refrigerator to thaw overnight (8–12 hours). Elevating the crab legs allows any liquid to drip away, preventing the legs from sitting in water. The next day, they’ll be fully thawed and ready to reheat or prepare as desired.
Heat
Cooking king crab legs isn’t difficult, and they only take a few minutes to prepare. The way you choose to cook your king crab will depend on the taste that you want to achieve. Below we’ve listed some of the more popular ways to cook king crab
Eat
Most of these recipes are very simple — three drops of hot sauce in butter is often all you need to draw out the wonderful taste of fresh king crab! And, most require a reheat time of just 5-10 minutes. Much more than that, and you risk your crab becoming overcooked. If you’re adding your crab to a stew or soup, you’ll only need to put it in for the last 5 minutes of the cooking process.
How to Cook Frozen Crab Legs
How to Steam King Crab Legs
Steaming is one of the best options for cooking king crab. Simply place two cups of water and a tablespoon of salt in a pot and bring it to a boil. The pot should be about one-third of the way filled with water. Place the crab legs in the pot on a rack or colander over the boiling water. Cover with a lid and cook for six to ten minutes, or until the crab is completely heated. When they begin to omit a “cooked odor,” they should be ready to eat. Serve with garlic butter, lemon wedges, and enjoy!
How to Boil King Crab Legs
Boiling is a simple method for cooking king crab. To boil crab legs, simply fill a large saucepan half full of cold water and bring to a boil. Add a tablespoon of salt and the seasoning of your choice, if any. When the water begins to boil add the crab legs and reduce the heat to medium. Allow them to simmer for about six minutes. Everything you need to know to plan the perfect crab boil.
How to Grill King Crab Legs
Grilling is a fun way to cook king crab legs if it's warm out and you're planning to eat outside. To grill crab legs you need to brush olive oil on all sides of the crab legs to prevent them from sticking. Then place the crab legs on a hot grill of 300° degrees for about five minutes, turn over and cook for another five minutes until they are heated all the way through. Remove from the grill and serve with butter or sauce.
How to Bake King Crab Legs
Baking king crab legs is the preferred cooking method for those who want to capture the flavor of herbs and lemon in the cooking process. To bake crab legs, preheat the oven to 350° degrees. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking pan in single layers. Place hot water in the pan, about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for eight to ten minutes.
