Perfect Snow Crab Legs
Snow crab legs are sweet, tender, and easy to prepare. Whether you're steaming, boiling, or grilling, this versatile seafood dish is perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions.
Equipment
- Large pot or steamer
- Tongs
- Kitchen scissors or crab crackers
Ingredients
- 2 lbs snow crab legs fresh or frozen, thawed if frozen
- 1 tbsp salt for boiling water
- lemon wedges for serving
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted, for dipping
- 1 clove garlic minced (optional)
Instructions
- Thaw crab legs overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Rinse and pat dry before cooking.
- Boiling method: Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a boil. Add crab legs and simmer for 4–6 minutes.
- Steaming method: Add 1 inch of water to a large pot with a steamer basket. Bring water to a boil, place crab legs in the basket, cover, and steam for 6–8 minutes.
- Grilling method: Brush crab legs with oil or melted butter. Grill over medium heat for 5 minutes per side.
- While crab legs are cooking, melt butter in a saucepan. Add minced garlic and a pinch of salt. Simmer 2 minutes for dipping sauce.
- Serve crab legs hot with garlic butter and lemon wedges. Use crab crackers or scissors to open shells.
Notes
Snow crab legs are already cooked when purchased frozen—you're just reheating. Don't overcook! For extra flavor, add Old Bay or herbs to the boiling water or butter sauce.