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King crab legs are a high protein seafood selection that may transform any meal into a special day. Also they are easy to arrange!
King Crab Legs
Known for his or her size and sweet, tender meat, king crab legs are usually not only a treat for the palate but in addition offer dietary advantages that make them a healthy indulgence. King crab legs could also be intimidating in the event you’ve never prepared them at home, but it’s possible you’ll be surprised to learn the way easy they’re to cook! Since king crab legs are cooked before they’re flash frozen, you’re principally reheating them! They’re fast, and you possibly can make them multiple ways: baking, microwaving, or steaming. Select whatever is most convenient for you! And in the event you’d fairly grill king crab legs, follow these directions. Other seafood recipes you may enjoy are these Grilled Lobster Tails with Herb Garlic Butter and Shrimp Scampi Foil Packets.
Ingredients
King Crab Legs – they’re cooked before they’re flash-frozen, so principally, all you’re doing is reheating them. You can too use Dungeness crab which is analogous in flavor to king crab, but shorter and contain much less meat. Snow crab is an alternative choice very much like king crab.
How one can Prepare King Crab Legs at Home (3 Ways)
Below are 3 easy crab leg recipes. Before you start, you’ll must defrost them within the refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight. For those who’re short on time, fill your sink with cold water and let the legs sit within the water for 20 to half-hour until thawed. If using the steaming method, you possibly can cook from frozen about 10 to 12 minutes.
- King Crab Legs within the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350F. Place the crab legs in a single layer in a big baking dish. You might must cut them on the joints to suit them within the pan properly. Pour barely enough water into the baking dish to cover the underside (about 1/4 cup). This may steam the crab legs because it bakes, keeping it moist. Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil to maintain the steam in. Place the baking dish within the oven and bake for about 15 to twenty minutes. The crab is already cooked, so that you’re just heating it through.
- Microwave: Wrap the crab legs with wet paper towels and microwave on high for about 3 to 4 minutes until warm.
- Steamed King Crab Legs: Fill a big pot with water and put a steamer insert inside. Bring the water to a boil, and steam the crab legs for about 8 to 10 minutes. If frozen, cook 10 to 12 minutes.
Whatever the cooking method, I prefer to finish my crab legs off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. You can too serve them with melted butter with lemon juice or garlic mixed in.
What to Serve with King Crab Legs
Listed here are some side dish ideas to serve with the crab:
Storage
Crab legs are best eaten the day they’re prepared, but when you could have leftovers, they’ll last as long as three days within the refrigerator. Reheat them within the microwave until warm, or eat the meat cold on a salad.
FAQs
Which crab is best: snow or king?
King crab legs are the most important type with essentially the most meat. Snow crab legs are similar but have thinner legs.
What does king crab meat taste like?
King crab meat is good, tender, and much like lobster meat.
Is it higher to steam or bake king crab legs?
Steaming versus baking king crab legs is a matter of preference. They’re each easy options. If I don’t need to activate my oven in the summertime, then normally steam them.
How long do you cook king crab legs?
It relies on the cooking method, but they’re generally able to eat in under 10 minutes.
Helpful Suggestions
- Don’t overcook: Avoid overcooking which might make it tough.
- Don’t purchase crab legs which might be already thawed. Frozen crab legs are best because they will probably be more energizing.
- Cracking the Shell: It is advisable to crack the shells before heating, in order that they’re easier to open after they’re heated. I find it easiest to do with a kitchen scissor.
- Melted Butter: Just a little goes a great distance, that is where the calories quickly add up!
- Use Tools: Have crab crackers and seafood forks readily available to assist get the meat out of the shell.
More Crab Recipes You’ll Love
Prep: 0 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: 2 legs
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Thaw the Crab Legs: In case your king crab legs are frozen, you’ll must thaw them first. One of the best approach to do that is by placing them within the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker method, you possibly can run them under cold water for a number of minutes.
Oven Method:
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350F.
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Prepare the Baking Pan: Place the crab legs in a single layer in a big baking dish. You might must cut them on the joints to suit them within the pan properly.
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Add Liquid: Pour barely enough water into the baking dish to cover the underside (about 1/4 cup). This may steam the crab legs because it bakes, keeping it moist.
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Cover with Foil: Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil to maintain the steam in.
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Bake: Place the baking dish within the oven and bake for about 15 to twenty minutes. The crab is already cooked, so that you’re just heating it through.
Steam in Pot Method:
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To steam, fill a big pot with water, with a steamer insert, and convey to a boil. Steam the legs for about 8 to 10 minutes, until heated though, then drain and serve. If frozen, cook 10 to 12 minutes, until hot.
Last Step:
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Serve the crab legs with melted butter for dipping and lemon wedges for a little bit of brightness. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Helpful Suggestions:
- Don’t overcook: Avoid overcooking which might make it tough.
- Cracking the Shell: It is advisable to crack the shells before heating, in order that they’re easier to open after they’re heated. I find it easiest to do with a kitchen scissor.
- Melted Butter: Just a little goes a great distance, that is where the calories quickly add up!
- Use Tools: Have crab crackers and seafood forks readily available to assist get the meat out of the shell.
Serving: 2 legs, Calories: 380 kcal, Protein: 83 g, Fat: 2.5 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Cholesterol: 190 mg, Sodium: 3792 mg