Thaw the Crab Legs: If your king crab legs are frozen, you’ll need to thaw them first. The best way to do this is by placing them in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker method, you can run them under cold water for a few minutes.
Oven Method:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350F.
Prepare the Baking Pan: Place the crab legs in a single layer in a large baking dish. You may need to cut them at the joints to fit them in the pan properly.
Add Liquid: Pour just enough water into the baking dish to cover the bottom (about 1/4 cup). This will steam the crab legs as it bakes, keeping it moist.
Cover with Foil: Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil to keep the steam in.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. The crab is already cooked, so you’re just heating it through.
Steam in Pot Method:
To steam, fill a large pot with water, with a steamer insert, and bring to a boil. Steam the legs for about 8 to 10 minutes, until heated though, then drain and serve. If frozen, cook 10 to 12 minutes, until hot.
Microwave Method:
If you would rather use the microwave, you can put a wet paper towels around the legs and microwave on high 3 to 4 minutes.
Serve
Squeeze some lemon on them and dig in!
Notes
Serve the crab legs with melted butter for dipping and lemon wedges for a bit of brightness. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.Helpful Tips:
Don't overcook: Avoid overcooking which can make it tough.
Cracking the Shell: You might want to crack the shells before heating, so they’re easier to open after they’re heated. I find it easiest to do with a kitchen scissor.
Melted Butter: A little goes a long way, this is where the calories quickly add up!
Use Tools: Have crab crackers and seafood forks on hand to help get the meat out of the shell.