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This Is the Easiest Way to Cook Snow Crab Legs: Baked Snow Crab Legs are one of those dinners that feel special without actually being complicated. They look impressive on the table, but they’re incredibly easy to prepare, especially since most snow crab legs are already pre-cooked and just need to be gently reheated.
A quick bake in the oven with butter, garlic, and lemon brings out crab’s natural sweetness and keeps the meat tender and juicy! This is my favorite recipe for Baked Snow Crab Legs That Taste Like a Restaurant.
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of contents
How to Make Perfect Snow Crab Legs at Home
These baked snow crab legs are tender, sweet, and brushed with garlic butter for an easy seafood dinner that feels restaurant-quality. Ready in minutes, they’re perfect for special occasions or a simple indulgent meal at home.
Baked Snow Crab Legs Ingredients
To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:
- Snow Crab Legs (2 pounds): The star of the dish, snow crab legs provide sweet, tender, and succulent seafood meat. Their delicate flavor is the highlight of the recipe, making it a seafood lover’s dream.
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup – 1 stick): Butter adds richness and a creamy texture to the dish. It’s the base for the garlic butter sauce that coats the crab legs, infusing them with a decadent, velvety flavor.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Garlic is a flavor powerhouse in this recipe. When minced and sautéed in the butter, it releases its aromatic and savory essence. It gives the dish a delightful garlic flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
- Fresh Parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): Fresh parsley is not only a garnish but also a flavor enhancer. It brings a bright, herbaceous note to the dish, balancing the richness of the butter and complementing the sweetness of the crab meat.
- Lemon Juice (1 lemon, juiced): Lemon juice provides a zesty, citrusy element to the recipe. It adds a refreshing tang that cuts through the richness of the butter, offering a bright contrast to the crab’s sweetness.
- Salt and Pepper to Taste: Salt enhances the natural flavors of the crab and helps to season the dish, while freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle hint of heat and a mild spice that balances the buttery richness.
Snow Crab Legs Step-by-Step
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following method:
Prep Crab
Arrange crab legs on baking sheet and be sure to pat dry with a paper towel.
Make Sauce
Make garlic butter sauce in a small pot on the stove, then pour over crab legs and toss to coat.
Roast
Roast in oven for 10-15 minutes, until garlic is fragrant and soft, and crab is piping hot.
Tips for Perfect Baked Crab Legs
Thaw Properly: If you’re using frozen snow crab legs, it’s essential to thaw them before baking. The best way to thaw crab legs is to place them in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps retain their quality.
Preheat the Oven: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to around 350°F (175°C) before you start baking the crab legs. Consistent heat is essential for even cooking.
Split the Legs: To make it easier to enjoy the crab meat, consider splitting the legs lengthwise with kitchen shears or a sharp knife. This exposes the meat and makes it simpler to remove from the shell after baking.
Seasoning: While snow crab legs have a naturally sweet and delicate flavor, you can enhance their taste with a bit of seasoning. Drizzle them with melted butter, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a touch of paprika for added color and flavor.
Butter Basting: For extra flavor, baste the crab legs with melted butter and minced garlic during baking. This adds richness and a hint of garlic aroma.
Arrange Properly: Place the crab legs in a single layer on a baking sheet or in a shallow ovenproof dish. This ensures that they cook evenly and allows for better heat circulation.
Cover with Foil: To prevent the crab legs from drying out during baking, cover them loosely with aluminum foil. This helps to trap steam, keeping the meat moist.
Baking Time: Snow crab legs are typically precooked before freezing, so your goal is to reheat them gently. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until they are heated through. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make the meat tough.
Serve Hot: Snow crab legs are best enjoyed hot. As soon as they’re done baking, serve them immediately with additional melted butter for dipping.
Cracking Tools: Provide crab crackers or nutcrackers at the table to help diners easily crack the shells and extract the meat.
Lemon Wedges: Serve the crab legs with lemon wedges. Squeezing fresh lemon juice over the meat can enhance its natural sweetness.
Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces, such as garlic butter, cocktail sauce, or aioli, to complement the crab’s flavor.
Protect Your Hands: Snow crab legs can have sharp edges, so be cautious when handling them. Consider providing crab bibs and moist towelettes for a mess-free dining experience.
Serving Platter: Present the baked crab legs on a large platter with some fresh herbs or lemon slices for an attractive and appetizing presentation.
What to Serve With Baked Snow Crab Legs
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Baked Snow Crab Legs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of snow crab legs, thawed if frozen
- ½ cup 1 stick of unsalted butter
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes until it becomes fragrant. Stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice, then season with a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper. Remove the saucepan from heat and set it aside.
- Clean the snow crab legs if necessary. You can use kitchen shears to cut through the shells to make it easier to access the meat.
- Place the crab legs on a baking sheet in a single layer. Brush each leg generously with the garlic butter sauce, making sure to get some inside the shells for extra flavor.
- Put the baking sheet with the crab legs into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the crab meat is heated through and the edges become slightly crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
- Once done, transfer the baked snow crab legs to a serving platter. Drizzle any remaining garlic butter sauce over them for that extra burst of flavor. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Everything You Need to Know About Cooking Crab Legs
It’s best to thaw frozen snow crab legs before baking. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight for the best results. Thawing ensures even cooking and preserves the meat’s quality.
You can use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to split the crab legs lengthwise. This makes it easier to access the meat after baking.
No, you should leave the shells on the snow crab legs before baking. The shells help protect the delicate meat during baking, and you can easily remove them after cooking.
Preheat your oven to around 350°F (175°C) for baking snow crab legs. This temperature ensures gentle reheating without overcooking the meat.
Bake snow crab legs for approximately 10-12 minutes or until they are heated through. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size of the crab legs and your oven, so keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Yes, you can season the crab legs with melted butter, a pinch of salt, pepper, and other seasonings like paprika or garlic powder before baking. This adds flavor and richness to the meat.
Yes, covering the crab legs loosely with aluminum foil helps trap steam and prevents them from drying out during baking.
Absolutely! Consider serving a variety of dipping sauces like garlic butter, cocktail sauce, or aioli to complement the sweet crab meat.
Yes, you can reheat leftover baked snow crab legs in the oven at a low temperature, around 275°F (135°C), until they are heated through. This prevents overcooking and maintains their tenderness.
Baked snow crab legs pair well with side dishes like buttered corn on the cob, garlic mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
Snow crab legs are done when they are heated through and the meat is tender. You can check by carefully opening a section of the shell and inspecting the meat. It should be opaque and flake easily.
