Crab legs are a symbol of fine cuisine for many people. Crab legs at a reception, for example, indicate that you’re in for a fantastic meal and usually indicate other opulent delights. However, you need not go out to eat or be invited to a special gathering to enjoy this delectable delight.
Crab legs are really easy to prepare at home, more so than you might think. If you’re unfamiliar with the procedure and recommended cooking time, then you’ve come to the right place. This article provides the information necessary to make a mouth-watering crab legs recipe.
Tips for Cooking Crab Legs
When cooking and eating crab legs, these tips highlighted below should help you if you are unfamiliar with the process:
Buying Crab Legs – There are two types of crab legs available in American supermarkets; the Snow crab legs and King crab legs, available for purchase in most grocery stores. Snow crab legs are sold in clusters, so you’ll get multiple legs and possibly a claw all at once. The legs of king crabs are substantially larger and sold by the individual leg. Snow crab legs are substantially less expensive than king crab legs, so in the end, you’ll have to decide which is ideal for you.
In addition, if you’re not sure if your crab legs are cooked or raw, contact your fishmonger or check the package label. Crab legs must be completely cooked before they can be consumed.
Eating Crab Legs– Cut the shell of a leg lengthwise with a pair of kitchen scissors for King crab legs. To reveal the meat inside, fold it open.
To remove Snow Crab legs from the cluster, you’ll need to do the following:
- Begin by snapping each leg off at the cluster. Snap each leg at the joint to separate it into two pieces.
- Use two hands on each end of each leg component to gently bend back and forth until the shell splits. The meat should readily slide out of the shell.
- To open the shell for claws, use a cracker or your teeth. If you apply too much pressure, the flesh will be crushed. Peel back the shell until the meat slides out easily.
- Gently fracture the cluster with your hands and fold it open. On the interior, you’ll find the flesh. Remove all of the meat pockets with a tiny fork.
Serving Suggestions – The most common way to serve crab legs is with melted butter and lemon wedges on the side. After removing the meat from the shells, sprinkle lemon juice and dip it in melted butter.
Serving crab flesh with Old Bay flavor, a special blend of herbs and spices that complements the seafood well, is another favorite serving choice, especially in New England. On a plate, sprinkle a little of the spice. Before eating, squeeze lemon juice over the top before dipping in butter and finishing with Old Bay seasoning.
Cooking Crab Legs in the Oven
There are different ways to cook crab legs, but if you would prefer the oven-baked method, then follow these steps described below:
- Preheat the broiler setting in your oven.
- On a baking sheet, arrange the crab legs.
- Brush the crab legs with melted butter or olive oil if preferred.
- Broil 3 to 4 minutes per side on a tray 6 to 8 inches beneath the broiler, flipping halfway through.
- Serve with melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges for squeezing over the meat while it’s still hot.
If you are interested in other methods of cooking crab legs, such as steaming or boiling, then follow these instructions described below:
Boiling Crab Legs:
- Boil a large pot of water
- If desired, season the water with one tablespoon of salt.
- Cook for 5 minutes after submerging crab legs in boiling water.
- Remove the crab legs from the pan and serve them with melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges for squeezing.
Steaming Crab Legs:
- A large pot of water should be brought to a boil.
- Over the boiling water, place a steamer basket.
- In a steamer basket, place the crab legs. Cover with a lid and steam for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove and serve with melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon wedges for squeezing over meat.
These are the popular methods for cooking crab legs, depending on individual preferences. Crab legs are one of the most simple dishes to prepare at home, and avoid the high restaurant prices by making this gourmet delight by yourself at home.
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Cooking Time for Oven-Baked Crab Legs
According to the FDA, the crab should be cooked until the meat is “pearly or white, and opaque,” according to the FDA. Therefore, you should be good to go if you cook the crab at the recommended oven temperature of 350°F for the recommended cooking time of 25 minutes.
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Baked Snow Crab Legs (4 Servings)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of snow crab legs scrubbed clean
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoon of minced garlic
- Two teaspoons of cajun seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a 9×13 baking dish, place the crab legs.
- Combine the olive oil, garlic, and cajun seasoning in a mixing dish. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Separate the oil mixture into two bowls, one of which should be set aside.
- Cover the oven dish with aluminum foil after brushing the oil mixture on the crab legs.
- Bake the crab legs for 10 minutes in the oven.
- After removing the crab legs from the oven, brush them with the remaining oil mixture.
- Bake for an additional 10 minutes after covering the crab legs with foil.
- After removing the crab legs from the oven, brush them with the oil mixture we set aside.
- Serve and enjoy your delicious baked crab legs.
These savory baked crab legs carry a punch with garlic, lemon, and delectable Cajun seasoning. The entire cooking duration for this recipe is 30 minutes, with 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of actual cooking time. Check out this video recipe for more ideas on cooking crab legs in the oven for the best and tastiest outcomes.