How to Cook Frozen Crab Legs | Tips and Tricks for Perfect Results

Learning how to cook frozen crab legs may sound intimidating, but with the right tips and tricks, it’s actually quite simple. Whether you’re a cooking novice or an experienced chef looking to expand their repertoire of dishes, preparing delicious crab legs from the freezer is within your reach. Here we cover both steaming and boiling options so that you can have a tasty seafood dish on your table in no time.

Overview Of Frozen Crab Legs

What Are Frozen Crab Legs?

Before knowing how to cook frozen crab legs, you need to know some basics first. Frozen crab legs are precooked, and frozen seafood delicacies made from the legs of large edible crabs like Alaskan king or Dungeness. The meat is usually cut into smaller chunks, making them easier to cook and eat. Frozen crab legs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors based on the type of crab they came from.

What Are Frozen Crab Legs Nutrition Facts?

Frozen crab legs are an excellent source of lean protein. Three ounces cooked provide 19 grams of protein and only 95 calories! Crab legs are also a good source of essential vitamins and minerals like phosphorus, zinc, Vitamin B12, and selenium.

Benefits Of Eating Frozen Crab Legs

Eating frozen crab legs is a healthy way to add a delicious seafood dish into your diet. Besides providing lean protein, frozen crab legs are low in cholesterol and fat, making them an ideal choice for those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also high in essential nutrients like Vitamin B12 and selenium which can help support strong bones, reduce inflammation, and fight free radicals.

What Ingredients Are Needed To Season Frozen Crab Legs?

Although frozen crab legs are already cooked, you can add your own flavor to them. Some popular seasonings for frozen crab legs include garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, and black pepper. You can also spritz the crab with lemon juice or a butter-based sauce like melted butter mixed with Cajun seasoning.

What Tools Do I Need To Cook Frozen Crab Legs?

To known how to cook frozen crab legs, you will need a steamer or large pot to cook your frozen crab legs. If you’re using a steamer, make sure it has enough capacity to fit all of the crab legs. You should also have a timer handy and heat-resistant tongs for transferring the cooked crabs from the pot/steamer to your plate.

How To Cook Frozen Crab Legs?

So how to cook frozen crab legs? There are two main ways to cook frozen crab legs – steaming and boiling. Here’s how you do it:

Steaming Frozen Crab Legs

1. Fill the bottom of a large pot or steamer with about one inch of water. Make sure there is enough space for all of the crab legs to fit in the pot/steamer.
2. Place the frozen crab legs in the pot/steamer and season with your favorite spices or sauces.
3. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid.
4. Allow the crab legs to steam for about 10 minutes, or until they are heated through and reach an internal temperature of 140°F.
5. Remove the pot from the heat, and use tongs to transfer crab legs to a plate. Enjoy!

Boiling Frozen Crab Legs

1. Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the frozen crab legs completely.
2. Place the pot on high heat and bring it to a boil.
3. Add the frozen crab legs to the boiling water and season with your favorite spices or sauces.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
5. Remove pot from heat and transfer cooked crab legs to a plate using tongs.

Tips To Cook Frozen Crab Legs

• To keep your crab legs from sticking to the bottom of the pot, you can add a few drops of oil or butter.
• Make sure not to overcook your crab legs; they should be cooked until just heated through. Overcooking them can cause them to become tough and chewy.
• If you’re using a steamer, make sure to check the water level frequently so that it doesn’t run out.
• Serve your cooked crab legs with melted butter or lemon wedges for a delicious and complete meal.

How Long Do Frozen Crab Legs Typically Take To Cook?

Frozen crab legs should take approximately 10 minutes to cook either way. Keep in mind that cooking times can vary depending on the size and thickness of the frozen crab leg pieces. Be sure to use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of your cooked crab legs to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 140°F before removing them from heat.

What Is The Best Temperature To Cook Frozen Crab Legs?

The best temperature to cook frozen crab legs is 140°F. This is the minimum internal temperature required for them to be considered safe for consumption. To make sure your cooked crab legs reach this temperature, use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature before removing them from heat.

What Is The Best Way To Thaw Frozen Crab Legs?

To thaw frozen crab legs, you can leave them in the refrigerator overnight or submerge them in cold water for a few hours. Make sure to cook your thawed crab legs within 24 hours after being taken out of the freezer.

How To Serve Frozen Crab Legs?

Frozen crab legs, a delightful seafood option, can be served with a delectable accompaniment of melted butter or a sauce of your choice. For an extra burst of flavor, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over them works wonders. These succulent crab legs perfectly complement a range of side dishes, including tender boiled potatoes, a medley of steamed vegetables, and succulent roasted red peppers. With this delightful combination, you’re in for a truly satisfying meal.

How To Store Frozen Crab Legs?

When it comes to storing frozen crab legs, it’s important to take the right steps to maintain their quality. To ensure optimal freshness, start by wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in the freezer. This will help prevent freezer burn and preserve their flavor. For even longer shelf life, consider vacuum sealing the crab legs before storing. By taking these extra precautions, you can enjoy delicious crab legs for up to three months, knowing that they will be as tasty as the day you bought them.

Conclusion: How To Cook Frozen Crab Legs?

Finding out how to cook frozen crab legs is easy and quick. To cook them, you can either steam or boil them for about 10 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 140°F. Be sure to check the water level in the pot/steamer frequently if steaming and also use a thermometer to make sure your cooked crab legs reach the right temperature before consuming. Serve your cooked frozen crab legs with melted butter or a sauce of your choice and enjoy. 

FAQs: Frozen Crab Legs

Is it better to steam or bake frozen crab legs?

Crab legs are typically sold precooked and flash frozen, making them convenient to prepare. The most optimal cooking method for crab legs is steaming. This gentle and moist heat not only preserves the pure and sweet taste but also maintains the tender texture of the meat.

Should you rinse frozen crab legs before cooking?

Begin by thawing the frozen crab legs. Submerge them in cold water, ensuring they are fully immersed. Allow them to soak for 15-20 minutes, then rinse and gently dry with a paper towel.

Can you cook frozen crab legs without defrosting?

Steaming is a fantastic method for cooking frozen snow crab legs without the need for thawing. Follow these steps to achieve optimal tenderness and preserve the delicate flavors: Begin by placing a steamer basket in a spacious pot and filling it with water, ensuring it is just below the level of the basket. Proceed to bring the water to a rolling boil.

Is it OK to steam frozen crab legs?

For cooking frozen crab legs, we suggest using a colander or steamer placed over vigorously boiling water. Fill the pot about one-third of the way with water. Cover the pot and steam the frozen crab legs for approximately ten minutes, or until they are thoroughly heated.

Can I just boil frozen crab legs?

Frozen crab legs are typically precooked, meaning you are simply reheating them in boiling water. However, it’s crucial to exercise caution and avoid overcooking, as this can result in toughened meat and a loss of its delicate flavor.

Are crab legs better frozen or thawed?

Flash-freezing seafood is not only an excellent method to maintain its flavor and texture, but also a safer alternative to store-bought “fresh” seafood displayed on ice.

How do you tell if frozen crab legs are cooked?

How can you determine the doneness of crab legs? The color of the legs is the key factor to consider, depending on whether they are fresh or frozen. When it comes to frozen legs, they are already cooked and will exhibit an orange or red hue. On the other hand, fresh crab meat has a greenish brown color, and once it is cooked, the crab turns a delightful shade of pink or red, with the meat becoming opaque.

Why are frozen crab legs salty?

Frozen king crab is readily available year-round. However, it’s worth noting that frozen varieties often have added salt, which can hinder the truly delightful and naturally sweet taste of the crab. Many people associate king crab with saltiness, but this perception stems from never having experienced the pure, unsalted goodness of fresh crab.

Is it safe to eat frozen crab legs?

When stored in the freezer under optimal conditions, crab legs can last for up to six months. Although they can be kept in the freezer for longer periods, it’s important to note that there might be a slight loss in texture and flavor. Rest assured, they will still be safe to consume.

Do you thaw frozen crab legs before steaming?

There are two methods to prepare snow crab legs: thawing them before steaming or steaming them directly from frozen. Due to their size, steaming snow crab legs from frozen is an efficient way to cook them while preserving the meat’s quality. If you choose to steam frozen crab legs, remember to rinse off any thicker areas of ice glaze under cold, running water.

Can you bake frozen crab legs?

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the crab legs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they do not overlap to avoid longer baking time. Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Do crab legs go bad if frozen?

Crab can be safely stored in the freezer for up to three months without compromising its flavor. However, it is recommended to freeze Dungeness crab for a maximum of one month and Alaskan king crab legs for no longer than six months.