How to Cook Crab Legs

Home-cooked Crab Legs couldn’t get any easier, so you can make a restaurant-quality feast for much less than you would pay to dine out. I’ll show you the best ways to cook crab legs, from steaming to baking, grilling, and even using the Instant Pot. P.S. Don’t skip the mouthwatering garlic butter dipping sauce!

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Crab Legs Video

In this video tutorial, I’ll show you how to cook crab legs at home. You’ll be shocked at how easy it is to make this delicious meal! Please tell me in the comments which method you prefer.

Crab Legs Recipe

In most grocery stores, crab legs are sold pre-cooked and either frozen or thawed from frozen, so to make them at home, you just need instructions on how to reheat them without drying out the meat or losing that delicious flavor.

Make sure you try garlic-butter dip I’ve included in the recipe. The combination of butter, garlic, and lemon pairs so well with seafood; that’s why I’ve used a similar flavor profile with our Broiled Lobster Tails and Baked Salmon.

Crab Legs with Garlic Butter Sauce

• Crab legs – See my notes for buying them below! I stock up when they go on sale (around Valentine’s Day) and keep frozen for later. *NOTE: Thawed crabs should be refrigerated and consumed within 1-2 days.
• Water – for steaming or cooking the crab
• Garlic butter dip – butter, garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and lemon juice

How to Cook Crab Legs

I’ve covered all of the best ways to cook crabs, from steaming to baking, grilling, and finally pressure cooking. The only method I don’t recommend is boiling, since it results in a watery mess when you crack the legs open and a diluted flavor.

Steamed Crab Legs

This Stock Pot method preserves the best flavor and texture of the crab, and so it’s my favorite for feeding a crowd.

1. Steam in a large stockpot with a steamer basket and 1 cup of water, and then steam cook covered for about 5 minutes for thawed or 10 minutes for frozen meat.

Oven-Baked Crab Legs Recipe

Oven-baked crab legs may cook a bit longer, but they are easy for anyone without a grill or Instant Pot.

1. Wrap – Using heavy-duty aluminum foil, create a foil pack for 4 clusters of crab legs. Bring the two ends together in the center, and fold them together twice. Then fold the other two ends together twice to seal the foil packet. Do not add water to the foil pack.
2. Bake – Place foil packs on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 450˚F for 25 minutes (frozen) or 15 minutes (thawed).

Grilled Crab Legs Recipe

Add a little smoky flavor to the crab legs on the grill, but be careful not to overcook the meat!

1. Wrap – Wrap 4 clusters in foil, as in the oven method, but remember that there’s no need to add water to the packets, as they will steam with their natural moisture.
2. Grill over medium/high heat or about 450˚F for 15-20 minutes (frozen) or 10 minutes (thawed).

Instant Pot Crab Legs

This method is so quick, so it’s my favorite way to cook crab legs for 2 people.

1. Fill the pot – Place a trivet into a 6 Qt Instant Pot. Add 1 cup of water and up to 4 clusters of fresh or frozen legs.
2. Cook – Cook on manual high pressure for 4 minutes and then quick release. Repeat with another batch right away using the same water.

How to Make Crab Legs Dipping Sauce

This garlic butter dip for crab legs is my favorite seafood dip, so try it with shrimp scampi or broiled lobster tails next.

• In a small saucepan, melt butter, and then stir in minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir for just 30 seconds and take off the heat, and then stir in lemon juice.

How to Serve Crab Legs

Serve the meat hot or cold, and use Crab Crackers or kitchen shears to carefully open the shell, and then dip the meat in the garlic butter. Add these sides to make a full meal:

• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Baked Potato
• Homemade Biscuits
• Green Goddess Salad
• Chickpea Salad
• Roasted Asparagus

My crab legs recipe creates flavorful and moist crab meat in just minutes, so choose from one of the 4 methods: steaming, oven, grilling, or Instant Pot. And don’t forget the garlic butter drip! It’s amazing how easy it is to make restaurant-quality seafood at home.

Seafood Recipes for Special Occasions

• Salmon Cakes
• Teriyaki Salmon
• Creamy Shrimp Pasta
• Pan-Seared Cod
• Tuscan Shrimp Pasta
• Surf and Turf
• Tuscan Salmon