King Crab Legs Recipe

King crab is probably the most sought after crab known to man, being the King of all crabs. This has meant that prices have risen, making these animals more fragile than a traditional meal. For this purpose, when cooking, they demand respect, and so should be done with love, pride, and patience.

Crab legs have unparalleled, delicate, fatty, and sweetmeat. Because of the high price tag, cooking frozen crab legs may seem daunting, but they are surprisingly easy to make.

CRAB LEGS RECIPE

Many king crab and snow crab legs you’ll find on the fishing boat were caught, cooked, and frozen to preserve their delicate flavours. Which means that you thaw and reheat to get them ready to serve.

It can boil, steam, bake or even grill the crab legs to reheat. Choose a form of cooking based on the flavor you are looking for and what is comfortable for you.

Whatever method you choose, it is best before cooking to thaw the crag legs, since they are much tenderer than those cooked from frozen. The evening before, I suggest thawing them in the fridge. Conversely, you can put them 10-15 minutes under cold running water.

BOILING THE CRAB LEGS

Boiling is the best way to cook the crab legs. Only fill up a 16-quarter stockpot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Attach the defrosted crab legs, cover the pot, and boil for 4-5 minutes, depending on the size.

When shopping, there are two common types of Crab legs available:

Snow Crab Legs (a.k.a Queen Crab): It is smaller and cheaper than King Crab, but yummy! They are sold in clusters, weighing in at about half a pound (220 grams) per cluster.

King Crab Legs: These giant crabs have the largest, most meaty legs and are the most costly and needed! American king crab comes primarily from Alaska, and is often sold in retail packets of 1 pound (450 grams).

King crab has the best texture, with big pieces of meat that easily come out of the shells! Snow crab also has a great taste, but sometimes the meat will shrew and be a more picky job to eat.

How many crab legs do I need to buy?

Planning on buying 3-5 pounds as a main course for four men. While it may seem like a lot, note that the shells hold a lot of the weight that gets discarded.

You may buy more to avoid running out when entertaining, or less if you’re serving alongside other dishes.

How do you serve your crab legs?

Serve the crab legs for dipping with lemon wedges and melted butter, or clarified butter. Popular side dishes include rice or potatoes (or low-carbon cauliflower rice), and broccoli.

How to Cook Crab Legs

Learn how to cook the legs of crab for a delicious meal that is bursting with flavours! Preparing takes just about 15 minutes, whether you are steaming, boiling, baking, or grilling.

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Serving: 4
  • Calories: 181 kcal

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds of crab legs, king crab or snow crab (thawed)*
  • 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 lemon fresh parsley, minced–optional

INSTRUCTIONS

BOILED CRAB LEGS

  • Fill a 16 quarters stockpot halfway filled with water and roll to a boil.
  • The defrosted crab legs are added to the pot using long-handled tongs, completely submerging.
  • Cover the pot, and cook depending on size for 4-5 minutes.
  • Clear from the water and serve with melted butter and lemon wedges. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top as an alternative.

STEAMED CRAB LEGS

  • Fill a large 1-inch pot with water and bring to a boil.
  • Place the steamer basket carefully inside the bowl. (Regular steamer baskets will accommodate around 1-1,5 pounds, so if necessary steam in batches.)
  • Using pliers, connect the crab legs to the steamer basket. Cover for 6-7 minutes, and steam.
  • Remove from the steamer and serve with melted butter and lemon wedges. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top as an alternative.

BOILED CRAB LEGS

  • Preheat oven to 191 ° C (375 ° F).
  • Place the legs of the crab on a baking sheet and brush them with the melted butter.
  • Cover with foil made of aluminum, and bake for 7-8 minutes or until cooked.
  • Take it outside the oven and serve with lemon wedges and melted butter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley as an alternative over the top.

GRILLED CRAB LEGS

  • Preheat to medium or 350 ° F (177 ° C) for barbecue.
  • Place the melted butter on the grill and clean the crab legs.
  • Cover for 5 minutes and cook over. Then rotate sideways, and cook another 4-5 minutes on the other hand.
  • Take it from grill and serve with lemon wedges and melted butter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley as an option on top.

Notes Ensure that your crab legs are fully thawed before use.

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

  • Calories: 181 kcal
  • Fat: 12g, 18%
  • Saturated Fat: 7g, 35%
  • Cholesterol: 66mg, 22%
  • Sodium: 713mg, 30%
  • Potassium: 211mg, 6%
  • Carbohydrates: 3g, 1%
  • Fiber: 1g, 4%
  • Protein: 16g, 32%
  • Vitamin A: 375IU, 8%
  • Vitamin C: 20mg, 24%
  • Calcium: 50mg, 5%
  • Iron: 1mg, 6%
  • Vitamin A: 375IU, 8%

Eating king crab legs: Cut the legs with a knife or scissors in half to reveal the skin.

To eat the legs of the snow crab: take the legs and claw off the cluster, breaking each slice. Bend each leg gently until the shell splits, and the meat comes out in lumps from the body.

To smash the shell, use a crab leg cracker for the claws. Peel off the wrapper and cut the meat.

You can pick the meat out for the cluster with a fork.

Place the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for use in fish salads or sandwiches for up to 2 days.

Source: https://globalseafoods.com/products/swordfish-steaks