Crab legs are surprisingly easy to cook and can be made (from fresh or frozen) in just a matter of minutes. This tutorial will show you how to cook snow crab legs using four different cooking methods to achieve delicate and flavorful crab meat every time!
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Crab legs are such a delicacy and often people only enjoy them at a fancy seafood restaurant. They can be pretty expensive, though, especially if you go for the king crab legs.
I'm all up for a fancy meal out, but for me, the best way to enjoy crab legs is by cooking them yourself at home! That way, you get to season them any way you want, it's much cheaper, and they only take a few easy steps to cook!
We love making all kinds of seafood recipes at home. If you LOVE crab, you should try these Alaskan King Crab Legs, my Maryland Crab Cakes, or check out my step-by-step guide of How To Cook Lobster Tails (4 Ways) for other meaty fish dinner ideas!
Some of the best crab legs I've ever had have been homecooked. Crab cooks quite quickly as well, whether you are using the grill, air fryer, Instant Pot, or stovetop approach, so it's worth a try.
I'm not sure which is my favorite way to cook crab legs. It might be to grill it, but it's delicious cooked any other way as well, so long as it's cooked through properly and seasoned well to bring out their delicious flavor. Whichever cooking method you choose, this will make the best crab leg feast you've ever had!
Save this recipe for an appetizer at a special occasion, or enjoy them for a Valentine's Day treat. Honestly though, this is such an easy crab recipe, you'll be having them on a busy weeknight in no time!
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Crab Legs: I’m using thawed snow crab legs in this recipe–you can cook snow crab legs directly from frozen but you’ll need to add a few minutes (2-3) to the cooking time.
- Lemon: Lemon adds a bit of acidity to brighten up the seafood.
- Butter: Salted butter helps add a bit of richness and flavor to the crab legs.
- Seasoning: Seafood seasoning adds an earthy bite and spice to the crab. Feel free to add it to taste.
How to Make How To Cook Snow Crab Legs (4 Ways!)
On the Stovetop
- Boil water. Fill a large pot with 2 inches of water and place it over medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil.
- Season. When the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the lemon halves, butter, and seafood seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Cook crab. Add the snow crab clusters and place a tight fitting lid on top of the pot. Cook the crablegs for 8 minutes, or until they are bright red in color and seaming hot. Serve crab legs immediately.
In the Instant Pot
- Add water and seasoning. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of your instant pot along with the melted butter and seafood seasoning. Mix to combine.
- Add crab legs. Place the trivet insert into the Instant Pot and then place the crab legs and lemon halve son top of the trivet.
- Cook. Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook-Manual for 3 minutes.
- Release pressure. When the time is up, release the pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position. Serve your instant pot crab legs immediately.
In the Air Fryer
- Make seasoning. Juice the lemon into a small bowl and then add the melted butter and seafood seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Season crab legs. Brush the crab legs with the butter mixture and then place them in the air fryer in a single layer.
- Cook. Cook at 350F for 7 minutes, or until they are bright red and very hot. Serve immediately.
On the Grill
- Prepare grill. Preheat a gas grill, charcoal grill, or pellet grill to high heat (around 400°F).
- Grill crab legs. Brush the crab legs with the butter and seasoning and place them on the grill. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning once about halfway through until bright red and very hot. Serve these crab legs immediately.
Recipe FAQ's
You should find two kinds of crab legs in your local grocery store: Snow Crab Legs or King Crab Legs. Snow crab legs are sold in crab leg clusters, and we'll be using 2 clusters for these recipes. The other type, king crab legs, are larger and sold as individual legs. Snow crab legs are the cheaper option, so you can choose which to buy depending on the occasion and your budget!
You can make a seafood platter, with your crab legs as part of the spread, or serve them on their own with small bowls of melted butter and lemon wedges for flavoring the meat.
When you buy your crab legs you can store them in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on when you are planning to use them. Fresh crab legs will last for up to two days in the refrigerator, or for up to 6 months in the freezer. It is best to use them fresh, but I know this isn't always possible!
Cooked crab legs are best enjoyed fresh. I recommend eating them immediately after they are cooked. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Tips for Success
- Use a digital meat thermometer (affiliate link) in the thickest part of the leg to know exactly when your crab legs are ready. Cook to 140 degrees F.
- Use fresh lemon that you slice yourself, and fresh lemon juice to serve the crab legs for the best results.
How do I eat crab legs?
To eat snow crab legs, the first step is to remove each leg from the cluster. Just snap it off once cooked, it should come away easily enough.
Then, snap each leg in two by breaking it at the joint. Use two hands on each part to gently bend it back and forth until the shell breaks, and then the meat should easily slide out.
Use a crab cracker or just your teeth to break open the crab claw shell. Make sure not to crush the meat inside, then, the shell back until you can slide the crab meat out.
For the cluster, crack it gently with your hands and fold it open. The meat is found on the inside. Use a small fork to remove all the pockets of meat.
To eat king crab legs, simply take a pair of kitchen shears and cut down the leg shell lengthwise. Then, fold it open and expose the juicy crab meat inside.
Substitutions and Variations
- King Crab Legs. You can also make these recipes with king crab legs, but as they’re larger you’ll need to add a few minutes to the cooking time.
- Butter. Use regular melted butter or make a garlic butter sauce to serve with the crab legs once cooked.
More Seafood Recipes
- Maine Lobster Rolls
- Easy Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Maryland Crab Soup
- San Francisco Cioppino Seafood Stew
- Grilled Soy Brown Sugar Salmon in Foil
- Maryland Hot Crab Dip
Fish & Seafood
How to Cook Lobster Tails (4 Ways)
Fish & Seafood
Maryland Crab Cakes
Fish & Seafood
How to Cook Alaskan King Crab Legs
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
How to Cook Snow Crab Legs (4 Ways)
Ingredients
- 2 clusters snow crab legs
- 1 lemon halved
- 2 tablespoons salted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning like Old Bay Seasoning
- Additional melted butter lemon wedges, and seafood seasoning, to serve.
Instructions
On the Stovetop
- Fill a large stockpot with 2" 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.
- 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.
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.
- Place the trivet insert into the Instant Pot and then place the crab legs and lemon halveson top of the trivet.
- 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.
- Brush the crab legs with the butter mixture and then place them in the air fryer.
- Cook at 350F for 7 minutes, or until they are bright red and very hot. Serve immediately.
On the Grill
- Preheat a gas, charcoal, or pellet grill to high heat (around 400°F).
- Brush the crab legs with the butter and seasoning and place them on the grill. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning once about halfway through until bright red and very hot. Serve immediately.
I appreciate your clear explanations.