King crab legs aren’t just tasty but also sustainable. They’re easy to get and harvest, so we have tons of seafood in grocery stores around us. And most times, we’ll find them frozen, especially if you live in the city regions. And because we love the meat so much, we buy loads of King Crab legs and toss them in the freezer for future purposes.
But picture this; you’re in a hurry, and all the King Crab legs you’ve got are frozen solid. Perhaps you forgot to put them in the fridge beforehand, and now, you can’t afford time for a quick thaw. And what’s the best place to do it? In the oven! Well, the answer is simple; cook them frozen.
Why in the Oven?
If the seafood is frozen, cooking King Crab legs in the oven is the best way to go. And here’s why;
It Cooks More- One tray can house enough King Crab legs to feed six people. And the number still works with frozen options as well.
It’s Quick- Once the crab legs have been set to cook, it takes no more than 10 minutes to reach complete doneness. Plus, because most King Crab legs are precooked, the oven remains the fastest way to reheat them.
It’s Hands-Off- You only have to arrange the crab legs and season them. And once you toss them in the fridge, the oven does the rest.
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Is Cooking Frozen King Crab Legs Safe?
Many people ask this question a lot regarding cooking frozen King Crab legs. And the answer is yes, and here’s why. King Crab legs are already precooked, so you’re doing more reheating than cooking. Upon harvest, the crab legs are first cooked before flash-frozen to preserve the fresh flavor. So, when you toss the frozen legs directly in the oven, you’re only reheating it, though it’ll take longer than cooking it thawed.
Cooking Frozen King Crab Legs
Now that your fears are put to rest, we can proceed with the rest. Cooking frozen King Crab legs in the oven is pretty easy, and in a way, can make you not want to do it any other way. To clarify, here’s a rundown on how it’s done;
Prep the Oven
Program the oven to 350F and let it heat up. This temperature is ideal for cooking King Crab legs and other seafood. It won’t cause quick drying, but the food will be heated enough to cook without drying. And because this condition is best for King Crab legs, you can do it with frozen options.
Prepare the King Crab Legs
King Crab legs are pretty long, so you’ll need a large baking tray. And because they’re frozen, you’ll have to cook them at the original length. But it won’t be a problem, so long as you place them in a single layer.
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Seasoning Options
The recipe works with a squeeze of lemon juice as seasoning. But depending on your preference, you can use other options as well. Ensure that the seasoning option generously covers the King Crab legs. Then, once you’re done, add enough hot water to cover the pan’s bottom and seal the entire thing with foil. Now, you can cook the Frozen King Crab legs.
Cook the Frozen
Toss the tray in the oven and let the King Crab legs cook for 10 minutes. It would take a shorter time if they weren’t frozen, but this isn’t so bad either. What you’re doing is steaming the crab legs in hot water, as the foil traps the steam, allowing it to cook the crab. And the extra time accounts for its frozen condition, meaning there’ll first be a moment of thawing before cooking commences.
You can leave the tray to cook for the full 10 minutes or open it and turn the legs at the four-minute mark. But the need for the latter is eliminated by adding hot water to the pan, so it’s best to let the King Crab legs cook to doneness. And once it’s ready, carefully open the foil so the steam doesn’t burn you, and serve the legs hot with a crab cracker and melted butter dip.
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Oven-Steamed Frozen King Crab Legs
Instructions
- Arrange the frozen king crab legs in a rimmed baking pan and squeeze the lemon juice over them.
- Set the oven to heat to 350F, and when it’s ready, pour the hot water into the pan. Ensure it’s enough to cover the pan’s bottom. Then, wrap the tray tightly with foil so the steam is locked in.
- Slide the pan into the oven and let the king crab legs cook for 10 minutes. Then, take the tray out and carefully remove the foil.
- Crack open one of the crab legs to see if the center is hot. And if it is, then the recipe is ready. So transfer the crab legs to a plate, and serve with melted butter dip.
See this video if you need more tips.