Cooking Alaskan King Crab

Get out the fancy seafood forks and melt the butter because king crab is on the menu. Knowing how to cook crab properly is the ultimate way to bring a restaurant worthy experience to the comfort of your own home. This sweet and decadent crustacean is the height of fine dining. With a few simply tips and guidelines, you can easily serve up this culinary delight like a pro and wow your friends and family.

Nothing says special occasion like dipping the meat from a succulent king crab leg into butter. While this luxurious seafood treat might seem better left to enjoying out, it’s incredibly easy to prepare at home.

Crab legs in general and king crab legs especially might seem intimidating to prepare, but they’re actually incredibly easy. Unless you are lucky enough to live in Alaska and get your crab right off the boat, 99% of the time the crab legs you’re buying are already cooked, you can tell by the red color of the shell. That means however you decide to prepare them, you’re not actually cooking them but simply warming them up. With that in mind this guide will walk you through how to cook Alaskan king crab legs in a variety of different ways.

King crab legs and snow crab are a great addition to a well-balanced diet. Their meat is lean in fat and calories while being high in protein. Whether you steam crab legs or prefer baked crab legs, keep reading to find your favorite way to prepare this protein packed delight.

Types of King Crab

When it comes to Alaskan king crab, there are three types you will find on the market, red king crab, blue king crab, and golden king crab. These three types of crab come from different areas of the Bering Sea and have slight differences in flavor and appearance.

• Red King Crab – Just like Maine lobster is the most prized lobster in the world, red king crab is the most prized crab. It comes from the waters of Bristol Bay and Norton Sound. It has a rich buttery flavor and meaty texture.
• Blue King Crab – These are also sometimes referred to as red crab and sold as such, however they are different in appearance, taste, and size. Blue king crab are among the largest crabs. They are notable for their giant claws. When they’re cooked they turn a bright red-range which is why they are sometimes marketed as red crab. They have a more mild flavor than true red king crab but are also sweeter.
• Golden King Crab – Golden king crab is the smallest of the three main king crab found in Alaska, giving it a lower meat to shell ratio. Despite not having as much meat, it’s mild, sweet, and flavorful. In addition, it’s also readily available and a great option.

Selecting the Best King Crab Legs

While one of the most desired and decadent bites of the sea, not all king crab legs are created equal. There are not only certain things to look for, but also tips when it comes to purchasing them.

• Alaskan king crab legs are usually sold by count, with ten pounds being the standard. That means king crab is labeled as 12-14, that means there will be 12-14 legs per ten pounds. This is similar to how shrimp is sold.
• King crab legs can also be sold by the size. Jumbo is the largest and most impressive, but small crab legs are equally delicious and great for feeding a crowd or if you’re on a budget.
• Always look for crab that is labeled as wild-caught from Alaska. The US has strict fishing regulations that help maintain the population and prevent overfishing. You know you are purchasing sustainably sourced king crab when it’s from the waters of Alaska. That is why red king crab isn’t always available and instead blue king crab or golden king crab may be better options.
• When buying frozen king crab, make sure that is vacuum sealed and doesn’t have ice crystals on it.
• When purchasing defrosted king crab or fresh king crab legs, they should be shiny, firm, and only have a slight briny smell, clean like the ocean.
• All crab legs that you commercially purchase will already be cooked. They are either cooked on the boat, or straight off the docks to ensure freshness as well as kill any parasites. You can tell the crab is already cooked by the red color of its shell.

Preparing King Crab Legs

Now that we’ve broken down how to shop king crab legs, let’s dive into how to prepare them. Just like you’re most likely going to have to defrost lobster tails prior to cooking unless you’re cooking live lobster, you’ll probably have to defrost your crab. Before you decide on how to cook crab legs, let’s get them prepped.

• The night before cooking your crab legs, remove them from the freezer and place them on a baking rack fit into a baking sheet. Allow them to gently defrost overnight in the coldest portion of your refrigerator, usually the bottom shelf.
• Once defrosted run them under cold water and give them a quick rinse before patting them dry.
• To quickly defrost your crab legs run them under cold water for several minutes.
• Unlike lobster tails or live lobster, there really isn’t any need to clean the crab legs. Once they’ve defrosted, it’s time to decide on the best method of cooking them.
• Depending on how you plan on cooking your king crab legs, you may want to partially remove some of the shell. This can be easily accomplished by breaking off each section at the joint. Use kitchen shears to cut off the top portion of each section, exposing the meat. This makes them more manageable for some cooking methods like grilling. In addition, it also exposes the meat making it easy to add additional flavors, and also easy to serve.
• Decide on your preferred cooking method to decide on what equipment you might need. Steaming and baking will both require large baking sheets while boiling crab legs requires a large stockpot. Because they’re so large, steamed crab legs do better on a large baking sheet. Just make sure it has high walls.

Cooking Methods

Once you understand that king crab is already cooked, there’s no need for any complicated crab leg recipe. You are simply warming it through. It’s more about how to heat up crab legs. How to prepare crab at home is easy and will give you a true fine dining experience every time.

When it comes to the best way of how to cook crab legs, it all depends on how many crab legs you plan on cooking, and also how you plan on serving them. A boiled crab leg is a delicious addition to a seafood boil while crab legs in oven are an easy way to feed a crowd.

Learn How to Boil Crab Legs

• Bring a large stock pot of water to a boil and add salt and/or seafood seasoning, and any additional aromatics you desire like lemon halves, bay leaves, or hardy herbs like thyme.
• Carefully add the crab legs to the hot liquid and allow them to boil for 5-7 minutes until they’re heated through. Drain and let cool enough to handle.
• How long to boil crab legs doesn’t vary too much, but you don’t want to overcrowd the pot. The more crab you add, the less even they will cook.

How to Steam Crab Legs

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Arrange the crab legs onto a large baking sheet in a single layer. Pour about 1/2″ of liquid into the bottom of the pan. This will create the steam.
• You can use just water, but you can also use beer, white wine, or broth/stock.
• How long to steam crab legs depends on the amount you’re cooking and also the size. Keep in mind they are already cooked so always check them at the 12-minute mark.

Learn How to Cook Crab Legs in the Oven

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the defrosted crab legs onto a sheet pan. Drizzle over melted butter, or 1/4 cup of water, just enough to create a little steam.
• Add in any additional flavorings like seafood seasoning and/or lemon wedges. Tightly cover the sheet pan with foil and allow it to bake for 12-15 minutes until the crab is warmed through.
• How long to cook crab legs in the oven remains pretty much the same. The only variable is the difference in oven temperatures, so make sure you check it at the earlier mark. You just want them warmed through.

How to Grill King Crab Legs

• Prepare your grill for direct cooking. Heat it to 375-400 if using a gas grill. If using a charcoal grill spread the charcoal evenly across the bottom. Let the grates fully heat.
• Next, use kitchen shears to remove the top half of the shells, exposing the meat.
• Brush the meat with either melted butter or olive oil. Sprinkle on salt or your favorite seafood seasoning or barbecue rub.
• Finally, place the crab legs onto the hot grill, shell side down. Allow the crab to grill for 4-6 minutes until warmed through. You can brush with additional butter if desired.

Enhancing the Flavor

While there is nothing like that sweet rich bite of crab, it’s also a great canvas for flavors. You can keep it simple with just melted butter, salt, and pepper, or go classic with your favorite seafood seasoning. The options are endless!

Seasoning Ideas

• Seafood seasoning
• Cajun/Creole seasoning
• Lemon and pepper
• Garlic herb

Simple Recipes for Dipping Sauces

• Add garlic and your favorite herbs to melted butter along with a squeeze of lemon.
• Cocktail sauce is a great lower calorie option that can be made in advance.
• Make a Cajun butter sauce. Add a generous shake of Cajun seasoning to unsalted butter when melting along with minced garlic.
• Love hot honey? How about a hot honey butter. Combine hot honey and salted butter and melt to combine.

Add-Ins

There are plenty of ways to add flavor to your crab legs when it comes to cooking crab legs. Add citrus slices to steamed or oven baked crab legs. You can squeeze the citrus into your boiling liquid for boiled crab.

Aromatics like garlic, onions, and ginger will add incredible depth of flavor. They can be added to the steaming or boiling liquid, or to your sheet pan for baking. Add herbs like thyme or rosemary sprigs, or whole peppercorns for a savory layer of flavor.

Complimentary Side Dishes

• Lobster Mac and Cheese
• Lobster risotto
• Shrimp cocktail
• Grilled lobster tails
• Grilled vegetables
• Tossed salad
• Surf and turf

Wine and Beverage Pairings

• Wine is a natural choice to pair with crab legs. It balances the brininess while enhancing the natural sweetness. Pick a dry, crisp wine like pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, or chardonnay. Avoid overly sweet white wines.
• Light bodied red wines can also pair well. The acidity cuts through the richness of the crab legs. Both a pinot noir and Beaujolais are excellent choices.
• If beer is more of your thing, avoid heavy dark beers and instead reach for a bright and refreshing lager, pilsner, or even a tangy sour.
• Other cocktail options that pair well with king crab legs are classics like a briny dirty martini, refreshing gin and tonic, or smoky old fashioned.

Health Benefits

While king crab legs might be a truly luxurious indulgence, they’re also a super star of nutrition. The lean meat is low in fat but high in protein. In addition, it’s also high in fatty Omega-3’s which helps reduce inflammation while promoting heart health. It’s rich in minerals like zinc, selenium, and copper while also being high in vitamin B-12.

How you cook crab legs will determine their final nutritional value. Avoiding heavy sauces or an abundance of butter will cut down on the fat while allowing the natural flavors of the crab to shine. King crab can be a great addition to a balanced, healthy lifestyle rich in lean meats with an abundance of flavor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• The number one biggest mistake that people make when learning how to cook crab legs is over cooking them. Even the term cooking is misleading as in reality you are just warming them up. Always remember that the king crab is cooked either immediately on the boat or at the docks. Avoid exposing the crab to heat for an extended period of time.
• Alway make sure that your crab is fully defrosted prior to cooking. Take the crab legs out of the freezer the day before and let them defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Cooking the crab from frozen can result in a grainy texture and watered down flavor.
• Keep in mind that crab has a naturally briny flavor so avoid over seasoning. Methods like boiling where the seasonings get reduced and intensified could result in overly salty crab.

Maintenance and Care

• If you’re purchasing frozen crab, keep it frozen until the day before you plan on cooking it. It will last for up to a year in the freezer.
• Once you have taken your crab out of the freezer you will want to cook it withing the next 48 hours.
• Cooked crab makes for tasty leftovers that can be added to different dishes like pasta or crab fried rice. Store the cooked crab in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat it within three days.
• Leftover cooked crab can be enjoyed cold. It can also be gently warmed in a little melted butter or added to a new dish like crab linguine.

Allergies and Dietary Considerations

Just like anything else, king crab legs should be enjoyed in moderation, but can be a part of a nutritious and healthy diet. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Always check with your guests prior to serving king crab or any type of shellfish such as shrimp or scallops to make sure they don’t have a shellfish allergy.
• Common signs of a shellfish allergy include hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, and tongue, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and nausea. If you or any of your guests experience any of these symptoms seek immediate medical attention.
• While crab is low in fat it is higher in cholesterol. Check with anyone observing a low cholesterol diet prior to serving.
• Offer up lower fat sides like a fresh salad, grilled vegetables, or roast asparagus for those looking for a healthy pairing to balance the higher cholesterol.
• If someone in the group has a shellfish allergy make sure to have an alternative main. Also make sure that you don’t cross contaminate the king crab legs with the other dish.

Frequently Asked Questions