How to Cook Crab Legs (3 Ways)

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 15

Servings:

Calories: 259kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

Crab legs are surprisingly easy to cook and can be made (fresh or frozen) in just a few minutes. This tutorial will show you how to make crab legs using three different cooking methods and achieve delicate, flavorful crab meat!

Print Recipe

Equipment

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.

Notes

Storage: Store crab legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition