This is our most comprehensive post on how to cook crab legs. We’re showing four different ways to tasty, succulent and delicious crab legs. Baked, Air Fryer, Grilled and Steamed Crab legs. We’re also showing you how to cook frozen crab legs, so whichever way, you’ll end up with a delicious seafood meal! Video and details below!
We’re adding this phenomenal article to our many How To’s here, which have been really useful to many of you! How to Cook Scallops showcases two amazing ways to this delicate and delicious seafood treat.
Grilled Trout : How to Grill Fish without it sticking has been a HIT on pinterest! How To Cook Lobster Tail is another MUST check recipe if you’re new to lobster, or check out Butter Poached Lobster.
How to Cook Mussels is a classic, along with Mussels Marinara and our unique Green Mussels article. Also make sure to check our pinterest popular Crab Claws. So today, we’re tackling crab, and we’re making them 4 ways so you can pick your favorite.
Why 4 Ways to Cooking Crab Legs
- This recipe works great on all types of crabs, crab clusters, snow crab, crab legs and dugeness crabs.
- The classic taste of old bay seasoning or cajun and lemon is all you need for the crab meat to shine.
- You can pick your favorite or most convenient way to making crab legs at home.
- They’re all fool proof and easy to make at home, so you don’t need to pay a fortune for crabs at restaurants anymore.
- Each of these cooking methods offers a different texture and slight different tastes.
- You can use fresh or frozen crab legs for this recipe and they both are GREAT!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Crab. Fresh or frozen and any type of crab legs work here. More on that below.
- Seasoning. A classic old bay or cajun seasoning is BEST, along with extra salt and pepper to taste. You can slo add some chilli flakes as we did, but it’s optional.
- Oil Spray. This is used particularly with the air fryer method and grill and oven.
- Lemon. Zest of a lemon for a kick of flavor.
Fresh or Frozen Crab?
While we ALL love to say fresh is best, however unless you live really close to the ocean, it would be hard to source. So frozen crabs work great here as well. Make sure you buys quality crab that doesn’t have ice crystals. Also pick crab that hasn’t traveled a long distance. To use the frozen crabs, just defrost them overnight in the fridge.
Types of Crab Legs
- King Crab Legs. These are large, meaty crab legs, which often are sold split or whole. They have a rich taste and plenty of crab meat, similar to buying a lobster tail.
- Snow Crab Legs. While still large, but not as the king size, these are also meaty and great option to cook. These are often pricey but offer a great flavor.
- Dungeness Crab Legs. We love these for their buttery flavor, however they’re hard to find. They are usually sold in clusters and have a firmer texture.
How to Cook Crab Legs
Here is our go to tutorial for 4 different ways to cooking crab legs, and each is worth a TRY! We won’t say which is our favorite, but feel free to take a guess! 🙂
Steamed Crab Legs / How to Steam Crab Legs
- The classic and most common way is steaming. Set your steamer basket over water that we flavor with garlic, whole peppercorns, butter and lemon. You can use any steamer you have, we have used an instant pot steamer here. Steam for 10-12 minutes.
- When steamed, the crab clusters will look plump and the meat will be opaque. And it’s ready!
Baked Crab Legs / How to Bake Crab Legs
- Season the crab legs generously with the cajun spice blend or old bay seasoning. Arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until cooked though.
- The skin will appear darker slightly from the oven and the meat will look more opaque and cooked. It’s ready to serve with melted butter!
Grilled Crab Legs / How to Grill Crab Legs
- Season the crab legs generously with the cajun seasoning or old bay seasoning and place in a hot grill. Make sure to place the crab on direct flames, over a medium grill.
- Place the lid on and flip halfway until cooked through and slightly charred.
Air Fryer Crab Legs / How to Air Fry Crab Legs
- Make sure you have an air fryer with a basket that can fir the crab legs comfortably. We used an 8 quart air fryer and it was perfect size. Similarly here you’ll season the crab legs generously and spray them with an oil spray.
- Air fry them at 400 degrees F until crisp, golden and cooked through.
How to Eat Crab Legs
Nothing can beat warm perfectly cooked succulent crab legs dipped in melted butter. like NOTHING. Similar to our Butter Poached Lobster, crab meat pairs so beautifully with butter.
While you can use salted butter and melt it, we love adding some fresh garlic minced, chilli flakes, lemon zest and parsley to it. It makes a wonderful flavored butter for dipping.
Don’t forget to have lemon wedges, as they are the perfect compliment to any seafood.
Crab Legs Cooking Tips
- Use fresh when possible, otherwise frozen crab legs work just as well.
- Make sure you pick crab legs that have no ice crystals and those that haven’t traveled a long distance.
- Defrost the crab overnight in the fridge before using.
- Whether you’re steaming, grilling, baking or air frying the crab, you’ll need a simple seasoning.
- You can use store-bought old bay or cajun seasoning, or make your own (recipe below).
- A drizzle of oil or spray helps the seasoning stick to the crabs.
- Keep an eye on the crab legs as they usually cook right away.
- Use a crab cracker to crack open the shells and enjoy the meat.
- Flavor the dipping butter or use salted melted butter is you’re rushed.
- 10.Use an instant pot steamer or any steamer basket for steaming.
- 11.If air frying, select an air fryer with a large basket.
- 12.We line our baking sheets for easy cleanup, however you don’t have to.
How to Store Crab Legs
Leftovers are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What to do with leftover crab?
Similar to the Lobster Roll, you can make rolls with crab. Or a crab bisque using our Lobster Bisque recipe. Toss them in salads, pastas, rice dishes, they’re just GREAT!
What is the most flavorful way to cook crab legs?
Ok so this is impartial ad fully depends on your taste. We find the grilled method offers that beautiful char and grll flavor which is so refreshing! The air fryer is super convenient and fuss free. Baking the crab is sort of like the oven does all the work. And finally steaming has a depth of flavor as we really flavor the steaming water. So that’s a TOUGH question!
How to Tell if the Crab legs are cooked?
There’s substantially little meat in the crab, and while the shell looks hard, it cooks easily. So crab doesn’t need much time to cook in general. The meat will be very opaque when cooked and the shells will change color.
Shell Fish Recipes to Try
Lobster Bisque
Butter Poached Lobster
Lobster Stock
Shrimp Scampi
Chili Lime Shrimp
Lobster Pasta
Crab Claws
Grilled Shrimp
How To Cook Lobster Tail
How to Cook Crab Legs
This is our most comprehensive post on how to cook crab legs. We’re showing four different ways to tasty, succulent and delicious crab legs. Baked, Air Fryer, Grilled and Steamed Crab legs. We’re also showing you how to cook frozen crab legs, so whichever way, you’ll end up with a delicious seafood meal! Video and details below!
Ingredients
Crab Legs
-
6
pounds
Crab Legs defrosted
Cajun Spice Blend
-
3
teaspoons
paprika -
1 1/2
teaspoon
salt and pepper
or to taste -
2
teaspoons
onion powder -
2
teaspoons
garlic powder -
2 1/2
teaspoons
oregano -
1 1/2
teaspoon
chives/mixed herbs -
1/2
teaspoon
cayenne pepper
To Steam:
-
2
Tablespoons
Butter -
1
Tablespoon
Peppercorns -
1
Tablespoon
Salt -
1-2
lemon slices -
1-2
cloves
of garlic
smashed
Garlic Butter
-
1/2
cup
salted butter
melted -
1
clove
of garlic minced -
1/2
teaspoon
cajun spice above -
1
teaspoon
parsley fresh
minced -
1
lemon
zested
Instructions
-
Remove the Clusters from the bag and defrost overnight in the fridge or on the kitchen counter for 2-3 hours.
-
Mix the cajun spice blend in a bowl.
-
To make the butter, blend everything together in a bowl and set aside.
-
To Bake: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
-
Season the crab clusters on both sides with cajun seasoning, drizzle with olive oil and place the clusters on a parchment lined baking sheet.
-
Bake for 18-20 minutes until cooked through. Serve with the melted butter.
-
To Steam: Prepare a steamer, instant pot or a regular pot and add in a steamer basket.
-
Add water below the steamer basket, then flavor the water by adding all ingredients in the water.
-
Place the crab clusters over the steamer basket and steam for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
-
Serve with the melted butter.
-
To Air fry: Season the clusters on both sides with the cajun spice mix and place in the air fryer. Spray with oil spray and air fry at 400 degrees for 14-15 minutes, flipping the clusters halfway.
-
Serve with the melted butter.
-
To Grill: Preheat the grill on medium high. Season the clusters on both sides with the Cajun spice and drizzle with olive oil. Rub the spice and oil well on to the clusters.
-
Place the crab clusters on the grill and shut down the lid. Grill for 15 minutes, flipping the clusters halfway until cooked through.
-
Serve with the melted butter.
-
Garnish with minced parsley, lemon wedges and jalapeño slices.
-
Enjoy
Recipe Notes
Crab Legs Cooking Tips
- Use fresh when possible, otherwise frozen crab legs work just as well.
- Make sure you pick crab legs that have no ice crystals and those that haven’t traveled a long distance.
- Defrost the crab overnight in the fridge before using.
- Whether you’re steaming, grilling, baking or air frying the crab, you’ll need a simple seasoning.
- You can use store-bought old bay or cajun seasoning, or make your own (recipe below).
- A drizzle of oil or spray helps the seasoning stick to the crabs.
- Keep an eye on the crab legs as they usually cook right away.
- Use a crab cracker to crack open the shells and enjoy the meat.
- Flavor the dipping butter or use salted melted butter is you’re rushed.
- Use an instant pot steamer or any steamer basket for steaming.
- If air frying, select an air fryer with a large basket.
- We line our baking sheets for easy cleanup, however you don’t have to.
How to Store Crab Legs
Leftovers are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What to do with leftover crab?
Similar to the Lobster Roll, you can make rolls with crab. Or a crab bisque using our Lobster Bisque recipe. Toss them in salads, pastas, rice dishes, they’re just GREAT!
What is the most flavorful way to cook crab legs?
Ok so this is impartial ad fully depends on your taste. We find the grilled method offers that beautiful char and grll flavor which is so refreshing! The air fryer is super convenient and fuss free. Baking the crab is sort of like the oven does all the work. And finally steaming has a depth of flavor as we really flavor the steaming water. So that’s a TOUGH question!
How to Tell if the Crab legs are cooked?
There’s substantially little meat in the crab, and while the shell looks hard, it cooks easily. So crab doesn’t need much time to cook in general. The meat will be very opaque when cooked and the shells will change color.
Nutrition Facts
How to Cook Crab Legs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 406
Calories from Fat 270
% Daily Value*
Fat 30g46%
Saturated Fat 14g88%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 12g
Cholesterol 114mg38%
Sodium 3163mg138%
Potassium 446mg13%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 29g58%
Vitamin A 1220IU24%
Vitamin C 30mg36%
Calcium 114mg11%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
