This post contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Easy, delicious succulent snow crab legs, cozied up in a buttery garlic sauce and prepped in the oven, are a perfect easy and decadent dinner that is perfect for a seafood feast at home!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro with seafood or a new cook, these Baked Snow Crab Legs are a delightful choice that’s both easy to make and impossible to resist.
Don’t want all the extras in a recipe post? We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.
Table of contents
Garlic Butter Baked Snow Crab Legs
Baked snow crabs are a wonderful way to enjoy the succulent, sweet meat of these crustaceans. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, prepare a mixture of melted butter, minced garlic, a dash of lemon juice, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley – this will be your delectable drizzle.
Next, clean and split your snow crab legs. Arrange them on a baking sheet, and generously brush each piece with the garlic butter concoction. Pop them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they’re beautifully golden and slightly crispy on the edges.
As you wait for that tantalizing aroma to fill your kitchen, take a moment to appreciate the simplicity of this dish. It’s all about letting the natural sweetness of the snow crab shine through. Once they’re done baking, serve them hot with some extra lemon wedges and perhaps a side of buttery corn on the cob or a fresh salad.
How to Bake Snow Crab Legs
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.
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following method:
- Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: 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.
- Prepare the Crab Legs: 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.
- Arrange and Brush: 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.
- Bake: 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.
- Serve: 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.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Baked Snow 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.
FAQs
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.
What to Serve With Baked Snow Crab Legs
Melted Butter: A classic accompaniment for crab legs, melted butter is perfect for dipping the sweet crab meat. You can add a squeeze of lemon juice and a dash of garlic for extra flavor.
Garlic Noodles: Garlic butter noodles, such as garlic linguine or fettuccine, provide a delicious and comforting base that pairs well with crab.
Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw with a tangy dressing adds a refreshing and crunchy element to the meal. Its crispness complements the tender crab meat.
Corn on the Cob: Serve boiled or grilled corn on the cob with butter and a sprinkle of herbs. The sweet corn contrasts beautifully with the savory crab.
Rice: Steamed white or brown rice is a neutral base that can soak up the flavors of the crab and buttery sauce. Cilantro lime rice is another great pick!
Grilled Vegetables: Grilled asparagus, zucchini, or bell peppers provide a healthy and flavorful side that complements the richness of crab legs.
Lemon Wedges: Offer fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the crab legs. The acidity of lemon enhances the sweetness of the crab meat.
Roasted Potatoes: Roasted or mashed potatoes seasoned with garlic and herbs make a hearty side that complements the crab.
Mixed Greens Salad: A simple salad with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the crab.
Artichoke Dip: A warm artichoke dip with tortilla chips or crusty bread can be a delightful appetizer before enjoying the crab legs.
Cucumber Salad: A cucumber salad with dill and yogurt dressing adds a cool and refreshing side dish to balance the meal.
French Bread: Serve warm, crusty French bread or a baguette for a simple and satisfying way to mop up the crab juices and butter.
Mashed Cauliflower: A low-carb alternative to potatoes, mashed cauliflower with butter and herbs is a great option if you’re watching your carb intake.
Quinoa Salad: A quinoa salad with fresh herbs, diced vegetables, and a light lemon vinaigrette offers a nutritious and balanced side.
Herb-Infused Rice Pilaf: Prepare a fragrant rice pilaf with herbs like parsley, dill, and chives to complement the crab’s flavors.
If you love this easy recipe please click the stars below to give it a five star rating and leave a comment! Pease also help me share on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Follow on Instagram
CONNECT WITH SWEET C’S!
Be sure to follow me on social media and get in on all the fun!
Only have 30 minutes to get dinner on the table? Sign up for my 30 minute dinner plans direct to your inbox!
Find and shop my favorite products in my Amazon storefront here!
Baked Snow Crab Legs
Equipment
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.
