Crab legs are one of the easiest things to make at home. Skip expensive restaurant markups and enjoy this treat at home. We’ll show you how to cook, steam or grill in the oven and show you how to eat crab legs!
When it comes to making crab legs at home, it really couldn’t be easier. Even the most novice chef can easily cook delicious crab legs. There are three different popular ways to cook crab legs: oven roasted, steamed, and boiled. We’ll cover all three methods and discuss the pros and cons of each. Best of all, we’ll even show you how to eat them, which might be the hardest part.
What kind of crab legs should I buy?
There are two main types of crab legs sold in American grocery stores. You can buy snow crab legs or king crab legs. Snow crab legs are sold in clusters, so you’ll have several legs and maybe even a claw clumped together. King crab legs are much larger and are sold as single legs. Snow crab legs are much less expensive than king crab, so you have to choose what works best within your budget.
How to eat crab legs
king crab legs, take a pair of kitchen shears and simply cut the shell of one leg lengthwise. Fold it open to reveal the meat inside.
For the snow crab legs:
- First remove each individual leg from the cluster by snapping it off at the cluster.
- Divide each leg into two by snapping off at the joint.
- For each leg, use two hands to gently bend the ends back and forth until the shell cracks. The meat should slide out of the shell easily.
- For the claws, use a biscuit or your teeth to open the casing. Don’t apply too much pressure or you’ll crush the meat inside. Peel the shells until you can easily slide the flesh out.
- For clusters, tap and fold open with your hands. The meat is inside. Remove all pieces of meat with a small fork.
How to Serve Crab Legs
Crab legs are usually served with melted butter and lemon wedges. Once the meat is out of the shell, you can squeeze lemon juice over it and dip it in melted butter.
Another popular serving option in New England is to serve crab meat with Old Bay Seasoning, a proprietary blend of herbs and spices that goes well with seafood. Sprinkle a little seasoning on the plate. You can squeeze lemon juice, dip in butter, then dip in Old Bay seasoning and finish right before eating.
If you liked this recipe, you might also be interested in learning how to cook lobster tails.
watch the video below Rachel will walk you through each step of this recipe. Sometimes the visuals help, and we always let you watch our cooking shows.You can find the complete collection of recipes youtube, facebook watch, or our facebook pageor provide a corresponding recipe on our website.
Crab legs are one of the easiest things to make at home. Skip expensive restaurant markups and enjoy this treat at home.
raw material
- 2 Cluster Snow Crab Legs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 lemon Cut into wedges.
instruct
How to Cook Crab Legs
-
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Season water with 1 tablespoon salt, if desired. Submerge crab legs in boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from water and serve with melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges to squeeze over the meat.
How to Steam Crab Legs
-
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the steamer over the boiling water. Put the crab legs in the steamer. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes. Remove and serve with melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges to squeeze over the meat.
How to Bake Crab Legs in the Oven
-
Preheat oven on broiler setting. Place crab legs on a baking sheet. Brush legs with melted butter or olive oil, if desired. Place the tray 6 to 8 inches under the broiler, flip and grill 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Serve warm over meat with melted butter, Old Bay Seasoning, and lemon wedges.