Kitchen Tips How To How to Cook Crab Legs While many shellfish fans might think of crab legs as a treat only enjoyed when eating out, it's remarkably easy to cook up an impressive platter of crab legs at home. By Sara Tane Sara Tane Sara Tane is a classically trained chef who has worked in restaurant kitchens, test kitchens, and home kitchens. She can bridge the gap between the professional chef and the home cook from her 6 years of experience in food media, sharing her knowledge on specific ingredients, techniques, and everything you need to know to become a more confident cook. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on November 15, 2021 Close Photo: Sara Tane Many home cooks don't realize just how easy it is to make delicious, restaurant-quality crab legs right in the comfort of their own kitchen. They are quick to whip up, and you don't need any special equipment to prepare a most-impressive platter for your next special occasion, dinner party, or outdoor get together. There are plenty of ways to cook crab legs at home: grilled, steamed, pressure cooked, boiled, or oven roasted. The method that you opt for is largely up to personal preference, especially because crab legs are going to taste very similar regardless of how they are prepared. However, the most straightforward way to cook crab legs is to boil them. Here's how the magic happens. How to Buy Crab Legs Sara Tane Don't feel intimidated at the fish counter! Buying crab legs doesn't need to be a stressful, anxiety-inducing experience. King crab legs are available seasonally and they are known for their large size, firm, lobster-like meat, and somewhat expensive price tag. You can certainly opt for this type of crab, but keep in mind that because of their tougher shells, king crab legs may require seafood crackers to bust them open. For a more approachable route, opt for snow crab legs. They're slightly smaller, but still pack a ton of flavor. They're also a bit more affordable if you're not looking to drop too much dough for your seafood feast. The best thing about snow crab legs is that the shells are soft enough that you don't need any special equipment to get your shellfish party started. Depending on the size of the crab legs, you should plan to buy 1-2 crab leg clusters per person that you're serving, or 1 ½ pounds per person. As far as fresh versus frozen, both options are completely viable. Keep in mind that most thawed seafood in the "fresh" display counter was likely frozen beforehand, so there's no shame whatsoever in opting for frozen legs. If you're shopping for your crab legs the day you plan to cook them, you'll want to opt for already-thawed legs, as frozen legs need to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Just remember, you want to buy raw crab legs. If they're already cooked (as you can often purchase), then there's nothing for you to do to them except eat 'em. How to Boil Crab Legs Sara Tane The easiest way to prepare crab legs (whether you plan to enjoy them hot or cold) is to boil them. Place your crab legs in a large pot or Dutch oven and cover them with cool water. Season the water with the juice of a couple lemons and any seasoning mixes that you like; of course, you can't go wrong with Old Bay seasoning. Go ahead and throw the lemon rinds into the pot after you juice them for extra flavor. Sara Tane Bring this mixture up to a boil and cook the legs until they're bright red. This should only take about 5 minutes once the water is boiling. Sara Tane If you want to enjoy the crab legs cold, then use tongs and transfer them to an ice bath until they're chilled. If you're enjoying them hot, transfer the boiled legs directly to your serving platter. How to Make a Butter Sauce for Crab Legs What's a seafood extravaganza without a decadent butter sauce to go alongside them? Make a simple sauce to go with your crab legs by melting butter in a saucepan with grated garlic, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Sara Tane Serve up your freshly boiled crab legs along with the butter sauce and some more fresh lemon wedges, and you have a simple but decadent treat. Serve and Enjoy Sara Tane Eating crab legs requires a bit of patience, but it's totally worth the extra effort. If you're working with snow crabs, snap the legs in half and gently coerce the meat out. If you're eating tougher crabs like king crabs, again, you'll probably want to invest in some heavy-duty seafood crackers to make your life a bit easier. Sara Tane Regardless, this is not a fork and knife meal. Tuck your napkin into the top of your shirt and don't be afraid to get your hands a little dirty (and buttery). Related: How to Cook a Whole Fish How to Steam Clams How to Cook Lobster Tail at Home Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit