what is the best way to cook alaskan king crab legs

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• Ingredients
|
• Cleaning and Thawing
|
• Steaming
|
• Baking
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• Grilling
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• Boiling

King crab is one of the biggest and tastiest types of crab used in cooking.Since they are pre-cooked before they are frozen, they are very easy to finish at domicile. Steaming is the almost mutual fashion to cook king crab legs to keep the meat tender and flavorful. If you're looking to cook the crab legs with lemons and other ingredients, bake them in the oven. Grilling is not bad for serving more flavorful meat in warm weather. Finally, for the quickest possible style to warm upwards king crab legs, eddy them in h2o. Serve male monarch crab legs warm and with some melted butter for a succulent meal.

Ingredients

• 1.5 to 2 lb (0.68 to 0.91 kg) of crab legs
• iii cups (710 mL) of h2o
• 3 lemons, halved
• i caput of garlic

Makes two to 4 servings

• ii lb (0.91 kg) of crab legs
• 0.5 cups (120 mL) of water, boiled
• ⁰⁄₂₅ cup (0 mL) of lemon juice
• iii tablespoons (44 mL) of alive oil
• ¾ cup (170.1 chiliad) of butter,
• 3 cloves of garlic
• ane teaspoon (0.54 g) of parsley

Makes 4 servings

• 2 lb (0.91 kg) crab legs
• 0.25 cups (59 mL) of olive oil
• ¼ cup (55 g) of butter
• 1 lemon, quartered

Makes 4 servings

• two lb (0.91 kg) of crab legs
• 24 cups (five,700 mL) of h2o
• one tablespoon (17.06 g) salt
• 2 tablespoons (34.12 k) of seafood seasoning

Makes iv servings

1. one

   Thaw the crab legs overnight in the refrigerator before cooking them. They have most 8 hours to defrost. Look until you're ready to utilize them earlier you begin the defrosting process. If you're trying to thaw them in a hurry, submerge them in cold, running water. Although y'all can cook frozen king crab legs in most cases, they melt at a quicker and more fifty-fifty rate when thawed start.^[1]

   • Male monarch crab legs spoil speedily. For that reason, don't thaw them out days in advance.
   • Most crab legs are sold frozen to preserve their freshness. You won't find a lot of fresh crab unless you live near the sea. If you're getting a fresh crab, retrieve to clean it.

2. 2

   Trim the crab legs with kitchen shears if necessary to reduce their size. You can normally place the crab legs whole in a steamer basket, pot of h2o, or blistering sail. However, king crab legs are pretty large and may not fit equally well as y'all would similar. To recoup, use something sharp, like kitchen shears, a skilful chef'southward pocketknife, or a paring knife. Cutting beyond the legs as the joints to separate them into multiple pieces.^[2]

   • If yous have the opportunity to cook the legs whole, leave them solitary. It not simply saves you a little extra work, but information technology helps ensure the meat stays juicy and tender.

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3. 3

   Score the crab legs with a knife to make them easier to open. This is optional, only it tin help you bargain with the hard vanquish roofing the legs. Flip all of the legs over to the back side, which volition be colored white. Run a sharp, serrated paring knife vertically downward the center. Be careful to avoid cut into the meat.^[3]

   • Get out the trounce closed and intact until you accept finished cooking the legs. And so, y'all can pull them open up at the cut you made. They will be easier to open up this way.
   • Don't pull open the shell or cutting it likewise securely. Exposing the meat makes it more likely to dry out out while it's cooking. Score the beat, simply don't cut through it.

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1. 1

   Fill a large pot with about 3 cups (710 mL) of water. The water temperature doesn't matter, just keep the pot well-nigh ⅓ of the way full. Accept a steamer insert that too fits within the pot, merely look to put it in for now. A steamer insert is basically a small metal basket that helps cook food by holding it to a higher place the water level. Make certain the water doesn't accomplish the steamer basket or the crab legs.^[4]

   • If you don't take a steamer insert, try using a metal colander. You may too exist able to fit something like a wire cooling rack or foil within the pot.
   • The h2o level doesn't have to exist exact. The most important function is adding enough to terminal throughout the steaming procedure while also making certain the crab legs aren't submerged.

2. ii

   Add halved lemons and garlic to the water if you wish to season it. Information technology isn't necessary, but it volition add some boosted flavor to the crab legs. Slice upwards to iii lemons in half lengthwise and drib them into the water. So, peel the skin off a caput of garlic. Split information technology in half before dropping the cloves into the water.^[5]

   • Yous can use fewer lemons or garlic cloves if you wish. You could likewise employ store-bought minced garlic or chop up the garlic bulbs if you prefer.

3. 3

   Warm the water over loftier heat until information technology begins to chimera. Bring the water upward to 212 °F (100 °C). Once it begins to bubble apace, it is prepare for the crab legs. Since you aren't using a lot of water, you won't have to worry too much about it bubbles over. Still, brand sure you have enough h2o to last for at to the lowest degree 5 minutes.^[6]

   • Do a final cheque on the h2o. It shouldn't touch the steamer basket once yous place it inside the pot. If the water level is too loftier, let the water cool, then pour some of it out into the sink.

4. 4

   Place the crab legs and steamer basket inside the pot. Fit every bit many crab legs equally yous tin by laying them apartment inside the basket. Overlapping them a little is fine as long as they are inside the pot. You can usually cook about one.5 to 2 lb (0.68 to 0.91 kg) at one time, only it depends on the size of pot and steamer basket you're using.^[seven]

   • If y'all're cooking a lot of crab legs, plan on dividing them into batches. This will ensure they all get an equal amount of time in the basket and enough of steam. Stuffing too many in at once could cause them to cook unevenly.

5. 5

   Embrace the pot and melt the crab legs for 5 minutes. Cheque all of the crab legs once your timer goes off. When they are washed, a strong crab smell will make full your kitchen. The crab legs plow a consistent red colour and feel warm all over.^[8]

6. half-dozen

   Melt butter if you wish to create a dipping sauce. Making a basic sauce is easy since you can only melt a fiddling butter and dunk the crab meat into it. Try melting 0.five cups (113 k) of butter in a bucket on the stove. If y'all wish to add more flavor to it, add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons (half-dozen.56 m) of garlic powder. Then, drizzle it onto the meat or dip the meat into it later removing information technology from the shells.^[9]

   • Making a sauce is optional and the crab legs will gustation fine on their ain also.

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1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Let the oven warm up while you lot ready the crab legs. Give it at least five to x minutes to reach full temperature. Meanwhile, continue the door shut until you're ready to put the crab legs in the oven.

   • Be careful most using different temperatures. It will issue how long the crab legs take to cook. High heat settings could also cause the meat to dry out out.

2. two

   Spread the crab legs in a single layer on a shallow cooking sail. Choice a baking or cookie sail with plenty of room to fit the crab legs. Don't use ane with high sides, since that could crusade the crab legs to cook unevenly. Lay the crab legs flat over the canvas. Yous can commonly fit up to two lb (0.91 kg) on 1 canvas. '

   • If you can't fit all of the crab legs, dissever them into batches or employ multiple sheets. Don't attempt stacking them. They won't cook at the same rate.

3. iii

   Boil nigh 0.5 cups (120 mL) of water and pour it onto the sheet. Try warming the h2o up in a microwave or kettle. Exist careful when pouring it to avoid burns. Cascade information technology directly onto the baking sheet so it covers the bottom by about 0.125 in (0.32 cm). You may need to use more than or less water depending on the sail's size.^[x]

   • Wear rubber kitchen gloves to avoid the possibility of coming into contact with scalding h2o.
   • The h2o isn't strictly necessary, but it's useful for keeping the crab legs moist while they bake. Without the water, the meat could turn out dry and rubbery.

4. 4

   Mix lemon juice, garlic, and other herbs to add to the crab legs. The main advantage of blistering is getting to cook the crab legs with all sorts of other ingredients. For a simple recipe, try pouring 0.25 cups (59 mL) of lemon juice into a separate bowl. Mix in 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of olive oil, ¾ of a loving cup (170.1 g) of butter, 3 cloves of garlic, and i teaspoon (0.54 one thousand) of parsley.^[11]

   • You tin can customize the flavor mixture whatsoever way you want. For example, you could add ingredients like table salt, cajun seasoning, or other herbs like dill. If yous like the crab legs plain, you don't take to add anything at all.

5. 5

   Brush or cascade seasonings onto the crab legs if you are using any. Apply a kitchen castor to coat all of the crab legs with a consistent layer of the seasoning mixture. If you don't have a brush, pour the mixture onto the baking sheet. Try to distribute it evenly over all of the crab legs.^[12]

   • Consider saving one-half of a butter sauce mixture to consume with the crab legs later on they stop cooking. You don't have to practise this, but it'south a style to requite the crab more flavour.

6. 6

   Cover the crab legs with a layer of aluminum foil. Use the foil equally a way to seal in the moisture and flavors. Encompass the unabridged canvas, taking care to tuck the edges of the foil over its sides. When you move the sheet to the oven, watch out so the ingredients don't spill out the sides.^[13]

7. 7

   Cook the crab in the oven for well-nigh 15 minutes. Set up your timer and expect. So, lift the foil to bank check on the crab legs. They turn a bright red colour as they cook. You lot tin can impact them to run into if they feel warm all over. You will also be able to detect a strong crab aroma in your kitchen.^[14]

   • Keep in heed that the cooking time will vary depending on your oven and the oestrus setting used.

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1. i

   Preheat the grill to most 325 °F (163 °C). Employ the medium-low setting if your grill has information technology. And so, wait virtually 15 minutes for the grill to reach full temperature. While information technology's heating up, prepare the crab legs.^[xv]

   • If your grill has a express temperature range, using a medium setting is fine. Remember to spotter the crab legs carefully to ensure they don't overcook.

2. 2

   Brush the crab legs with oil if you will place them straight on the grill. Cascade most 0.25 cups (59 mL) of olive oil into a bowl. Using a kitchen brush, embrace all of the crab legs in the oil. The oil volition foreclose them from sticking to the grill.^[sixteen]

   • If you lot don't take a brush, you can rub the oil onto the crab legs by hand. Some other option is to roll them in the oil.
   • Yous could too wrap the crab legs in aluminum foil. It'due south safe to use on the grill and will preclude them from sticking. If yous plan on seasoning the crab legs before cooking them, use foil instead of oil.

3. 3

   Wrap the crab legs in foil if y'all plan on seasoning them. Lay 4 sheets of aluminum foil on a countertop. Spread the crab legs out evenly between them. You tin generally fit as much every bit three.5 lb (1.half-dozen kg) rex crab legs, then get more foil if you wish to make more than than that. Ready aside some other 4 sheets of foil to wrap upward the crab legs.^[17]

   • The foil isn't necessary if you plan on cooking the crab legs manifestly. Simply coat them in oil to foreclose them from sticking to the grill.

4. 4

   Coat the crab legs with butter and seasonings for additional flavor. For case, take nearly ¼ of a cup (55 g) of butter. Rub information technology over each of the crab legs past hand. Then, cut a lemon into quarters and squeeze them onto the crab legs.^[18]

   • For additional flavor, chop upwardly v cloves of garlic and sprinkle them over the crab legs. Add ½ of a cup (2.five g) of parsley, i teaspoon (v.69 one thousand) of body of water salt, and ane teaspoon (2.33 yard) of black pepper every bit well.
   • You can besides cook some butter to cascade over the crab legs in one case you're done grilling them.

5. five

   Cook the crab legs on the grill for about 5 minutes. Place the crab legs closer to the side of the grill, abroad from the coals or direct heat, to preclude them from overcooking. Go on them about 5 in (xiii cm) away from the heat. So, shut the grill top and leave the crab legs undisturbed.^[19]

   • If y'all're cooking the crab legs in foil, be sure to wrap them up tightly to lock in any added seasonings. Butter and other ingredients won't exercise you any good if they leak out!

6. half dozen

   Flip the crab legs and cook them for upward to 5 minutes. Use a pair of tongs to turn them over, keeping them in the same spot on the grill. Close the top once more when you're done. When the crab legs are done, they will exist bright red and have a strong smell. They will also be consistently warm all over.^[20]

   • Note that the cooking fourth dimension tin can vary a lot depending on your grill and the estrus setting used. All grills cook nutrient at a different charge per unit. Keep an centre on the crab legs to prevent them from burning.

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1. 1

   Fill a large stockpot one-half-full with common cold water. The amount of water you need will depend on the stockpot you're using. A basic stockpot takes about 24 cups (5,700 mL) of water, only adjust the amount every bit needed. This will be plenty to cook most iv lb (1.eight kg) of king crab legs.^[21]

   • Brand sure the crab legs are completely submerged in the h2o or else they may not cook evenly. If your stock pot is too small, melt the crab legs in batches or use multiple pots.

2. ii

   Common salt and season the water if you wish to flavor the crab legs. For case, outset with 1 tablespoon (17.06 g) of salt and stir it into the pot of h2o. Then, mix in 2 tablespoons (34.12 k) of shop-bought seafood seasoning. You could mix in herbs like parsley and dill, put garlic and lemons in the pot, or customize the flavor however you wish.^[22]

   • The salt is useful for seasoning the crab legs and getting them to melt at a more compatible charge per unit. Fifty-fifty if you don't program on adding annihilation else, the table salt is worth adding.

3. iii

   Plough the heat up high until the water begins to eddy. Set your stove to a high setting and wait. Sentinel for the water to bubble at a consistent charge per unit. It will take a picayune bit of time, so don't rush to reject the heat.

   • The water has to be humid before you lot put the crab legs into the pot. If it isn't boiling, you will have a much harder time determining when the crab legs are done cooking.

4. 4

   Submerge the crab legs in the water. Drop the crab legs into the water, taking care to avert splashes from the hot water. Use tongs to push button the crab legs downwards and constrict them into the water equally much as possible. Try to go along them completely covered by the water before letting them cook.^[23]

   • Any parts that are out of the water won't get cooked. If you want the legs to cook at the same rate, keep them submerged.
   • If you can't fit all of the legs into the pot, salvage some of them to cook later.

5. 5

   Reduce the estrus to medium and look for the h2o to boil again. Adding the crab legs reduces the water temperature, so information technology won't exist bubbling anymore. Wait a couple of minutes until it begins to bubble apace again. Once information technology reaches that point, information technology will rapidly cook the crab legs at an even rate.^[24]

   • Plan on simmering the crab legs until they're done. Check the water for tiny, consistent bubbling and wisps of steam. Commencement the timer once the water reaches that indicate.

6. 6

   Eddy the crab legs for v to 7 minutes until they are heated through. Leave the pot uncovered and scout as the crab legs change color. They will plow a consistent shade of red as they fill your kitchen with a delicious smell. In one case they look washed, use tongs to pull them out of the water. Put them on a plate to swallow warm.^[25]

   • Try serving the warm crab legs with melted butter and lemon juice. You could also enjoy them plain if you wish.

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Add New Question

• Question

  How do I set up king crab legs that have been split and frozen?

  

  The aforementioned equally you lot would unsplit, though you might non demand as much time to oestrus them upwardly.

• Question

  Do I defrost the crab earlier boiling it?

  

  For best results, you should definitely defrost the crab before boiling in order to maintain the crab's meat texture.

• Question

  How do I reheat crab legs that have previously been steamed?

  

  Only microwave them until your desired temperature is reached .

• Question

  Can king crab legs be defrosted in the microwave?

  

  Yes, but information technology is much easier to just boil them from frozen. When you practice, use common salt in the water, considering if you don't, it volition pull a lot of flavor out of the crabmeat.

• Question

  Can male monarch crab exist steamed in an electric roaster?

  

  If your roaster allows for liquids, then yes. You can steam crab in any heated container that will bring water at least to a simmer.

• Question

  How long should I microwave crab legs for?

  

  It is not recommended to microwave them, as they volition become very hard and may not be edible afterwards.

• Question

  Tin can I cook them frozen?

  

  Rex crab legs are precooked at the site of capture. Since all y'all're actually doing is reheating them, the answer is aye, you can reheat them from frozen. Just add together a few minutes to the time whether you steam, boil, grill or bake.

• Question

  Can king crab legs be steamed in the microwave?

  

  Yes, I did it and it worked great! You'll have to experiment with melt times, though, because every microwave is different.

• Question

  Do I put the crab legs into the pot afterwards they're thawed?

  

  You should use a steamer handbasket, if possible; but yes, one time thawed and the water in the pot is humid, into the pot they go.

• Question

  How practice I cook shelled Alaska male monarch crab legs?

  

  If the meat is already out of the shell, y'all can do several things with it. Make crab cakes. Sauté them in butter and a footling garlic. Make a gratin. Brand crab dumplings.

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Video

• Since king crab legs are typically pre-cooked, you're generally reheating them at habitation. Test the legs when your timer goes off so you don't end up overcooking them!

• The meat doesn't need to exist seasoned subsequently it has been cooked, simply it is great when dipped in melted butter.

• Crab legs tin exist boiled with other types of seafood, such every bit shrimp, to make a seafood boil.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

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Things You'll Need

• Refrigerator
• Serrated utility pocketknife

• Stove
• Stockpot
• Steamer insert or colander
• Tongs
• Measuring cup
• Knife

• Oven
• Baking sheet
• Measuring loving cup
• Castor

• Grill
• Gas or coal
• Tongs
• Foil (optional)
• Castor (optional)

• Stockpot
• Measuring loving cup
• Tongs

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Article Summary X

Earlier cooking king crab legs on the grill, preheat the grill on low. Then, cut the legs at the joints to make sure they fit on the grill and brush the legs with oil. Once the grill is heated, set the legs on the surface of the grill and cook them for 5 minutes on each side earlier serving them with melted butter and lemon wedges. Alternatively, boil crab legs by filling a large pot with h2o and bringing it to a boil. Once it boils, add the crab legs, reduce heat to keep the water simmering and cook the legs for five to 7 minutes before removing with tongs, and serving with butter and lemon. To learn how to broil king crab legs, read on!

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