No need to go to a fancy seafood restaurant to have delicious, succulent Snow Crab Legs when they’re so easy to make at home! I’ll show you how to cook crab legs with 3 different methods (use the stove, an Instant Pot or Air Fryer) so that you can enjoy this delicacy any time you please. They’ll be ready in 15 minutes, so get to crackin’!
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What’s in this Snow Crab Legs recipe?
Whether you have a stock pot, an Instant Pot, or an Air Fryer, you can make perfect crab legs with just a few simple ingredients!
- Snow Crab Legs: These have sweet and delicate crab meat, and are known for their exceptionally long legs and tender flesh. They’re the most affordable type at most grocery stores, and are typically sold in clusters (so multiple legs in one!).
- Lemon: Has an acidic and citrusy flavor that complements the sweetness of the crab meat.
- Unsalted Butter: Has a rich and creamy flavor that enhances the natural sweetness of the crab meat.
- Seafood Seasoning: A blend of various herbs and spices, like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and sometimes cayenne pepper, that enhance the flavor of the crab.
Fun Fact: Crab legs can only be sold live or cooked. When you buy crab legs at the store, they are cooked, frozen, and thawed. So we’re really just reheating them!
Variations on Crab Legs
Learning how to cook crab legs is so easy and straightforward, you’ll be able to make some simple variations as you please. Use this recipe to cook Snow Crab, King Crab, or Dungeness Crab Legs. You can change up the flavor by using a different seasonings, like Creole seasoning or blackened seasoning, or by adding some minced garlic and herbs to the butter.
Snow crab is a type of crab with long limbs, much like King Crab. It has a sweet, slightly briny flavor and a firm texture.
You sure can! Depending on the size, the legs may take slightly longer to cook.
The best way to thaw frozen crab legs is to place them in the refrigerator overnight. This allows them to thaw slowly and safely. You can also place them in a sealed Ziplock bag submerged in cold water for about 30-60 minutes to thaw them more quickly.
No! Crab legs can be cooked in clusters, as the shells will separate easily after cooking. However, you can separate the legs with kitchen shears or a sharp knife if you prefer.
To remove the meat from crab legs, you can use kitchen shears or a crab cracker to crack the shells and expose the meat. Gently pull the meat out with your fingers or a small fork.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crab legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, steam or microwave them until heated through. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become tough and rubbery.
How to Freeze
Freeze crab legs in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Serve Crab Legs
Serve these snow crab legs simply with melted butter and lemon wedges. After cracking the shells and pulling out the meat, you can squeeze lemon juice on top, then dip the meat into butter, and eat. It’s a true delicacy! They also taste great with garlic aioli, or try tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or bang bang sauce.
Make it a full meal by pairing them with corn on the cob, coleslaw, roasted potatoes, sautéed vegetables, crusty bread, Hawaiian rolls, or a fresh salad.
If you like this recipe, you’ll love this lobster tail recipe too!
How to Cook Crab Legs (3 Ways)
Equipment
- Stock Pot OR
- Instant Pot (click for my favorite) OR
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Ingredients
- 2 clusters Snow Crab legs (about 8 legs) – thawed if frozen
- 1 lemon halved
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (¼ stick)
- 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning such as Old Bay
For Serving
- Melted butter
- Lemon wedges
- Seafood seasoning
Instructions
On the Stovetop
- Fill a large stock pot with 2 inches of water and place it over medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil.
- When the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the lemon halves, butter, and seafood seasoning. Stir to combine.1 lemon, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
- Add the snow crab clusters and place a tight fitting lid on top of the pot. Cook the crab legs for 8 minutes, or until they are bright red in color and seaming hot. Serve immediately.2 clusters Snow Crab legs
In the Instant Pot
- Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of your instant pot along with the melted butter and seafood seasoning. Mix to combine.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
- Place the trivet insert into the Instant Pot and then place the crab legs and lemon halves on top of the trivet.2 clusters Snow Crab legs, 1 lemon
- Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook- Manual for 3 minutes.
- When the time is up, release the pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position. Serve immediately.
In the Air Fryer
- Juice the lemon into a small bowl and then add the melted butter and seafood seasoning. Stir to combine.1 lemon, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
- Brush the crab legs with the butter mixture and then place them in the air fryer.2 clusters Snow Crab legs
- Cook at 350°F for 7 minutes, or until they are bright red and very hot. Serve immediately.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
