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Home » Dinner » Crab Legs with Garlic Butter

Published: January 15, 2020 Last Modified: January 15, 2020 By Sara 22 Comments

Crab Legs with Garlic Butter

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Crab Legs with Garlic Butter #crab #seafood #dinner #lowcarb #dinneratthezoo

These crab legs are steamed to perfection, then tossed in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. A simple, yet satisfying way to enjoy fresh seafood, and it takes just minutes to put together! Crab legs make for a great appetizer or main course option.

When I’m craving seafood, I turn to my favorite recipes which include seafood pasta, bacon wrapped scallops and this delicious crab dish. If you’re a crab lover, you’ll adore this recipe!

Crab Legs with Garlic Butter #crab #seafood #dinner #lowcarb #dinneratthezoo Crab Legs with Garlic Butter #crab #seafood #dinner #lowcarb #dinneratthezoo

A pot of crab legs tossed in garlic butter.

Where I live, the winter months are crab season. There is plenty of fresh crab to be had, and we enjoy crab legs for the holidays every year. This recipe really takes things over the top with three types of crab in an easy butter sauce. Add a side of bread and a salad, and dinner is served.

Types of crab legs

You can make this recipe with one type of crab, or with multiple varieties of crab. The most common types of crab include Dungeness crab, snow crab, king crab, stone crab, and blue crab. Crab species and availability tend to vary depending on your geographic area. Where I live, Dungeness crab are local to the region, so that’s what I often use. Snow crab and king crab are often found nationwide, either frozen or previously frozen. You can’t go wrong here, so choose what is available, looks the freshest, and what is affordable to you.

An assortment of different types of crab on a sheet pan.

How to cook crab legs

I find that the easiest way to cook crab legs is to steam them. Heat 2-3 inches of water in a large pot until boiling. Place the crab legs in the pot and cover the pot. Cook until the crab is warmed through. Drain the water from the pot, then melt butter for the sauce. Add fresh garlic, along with salt, pepper and chopped parsley. Toss the crab in the butter mixture, then serve immediately.

How long to cook crab

The majority of the crab that you buy at the store is pre-cooked, so in this case, all you’re really doing is reheating the crab. Typically crab legs take about 5-7 minutes to heat through. Legs tend to cook quicker than the body pieces of the crab. If you choose to cook the crab bodies along with the legs, you’ll want to add another 3-4 minutes to the cook time.

A pot of dungeness, king and snow crab.

How do you know when crab legs are done?

Crab legs are cooked through when the flesh turns red and opaque. If you’re buying pre-cooked crab, the flesh will already look this way, since you’re just heating it up. Raw crab is more of a gray color, and will take a little longer to cook. Plan to add another 5-7 minutes to the cooking time if you have raw crab.

Tips for the perfect crab dinner

  • Plan on 1 1/2-2 pounds of crab legs per person. You can easily double or triple this recipe if you need to feed a larger crowd.
  • You can serve the garlic butter sauce over the crab legs, or simply steam your crab and serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
  • My favorite accompaniments to crab include crusty sourdough bread and a fresh green salad or steamed vegetable. Other great side dish options include macaroni and cheese, steamed rice, angel hair pasta or even roasted potatoes.
  • You can ask your fish monger to crack and clean your crab for you, which saves a ton of time later on.
  • If you have frozen crab, thaw it in the fridge for 1-2 days before you cook it.

A spoon pouring garlic butter over cooked crab.

Flavor variations

I find that crab is so good on its own that it needs minimal treatment. That being said, you can easily customize this recipe to your tastes.

  • Spices: Try adding some spices to the garlic butter such as Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika or onion powder.
  • Herbs: Skip the parsley and use fresh dill, basil or chives instead.
  • Asian: Add 1 teaspoon of ginger to the sauce, along with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and use cilantro instead of parsley.

A tray of crab legs seasoned with garlic and herbs.

Whether it’s a special occasion or you’re just looking for a unique and unexpected dinner option, this crab recipe is always a big hit!

More delicious seafood recipes

  • Garlic Butter Lobster Tails
  • Seafood Boil
  • Coconut Shrimp
  • Lobster Mac and Cheese
  • Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Crab Legs with Garlic Butter Video

A pot of crab legs tossed in garlic butter.
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5 from 17 votes

Crab Legs with Garlic Butter

These crab legs are steamed to perfection, then tossed in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. A simple, yet satisfying way to enjoy fresh seafood, and it takes just minutes to put together! Crab legs make for a great appetizer or main course option.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 206kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 6 pounds crab legs Dungeness crab, king crab, snow crab or a combination of different types
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • lemon wedges optional

Instructions

  • Place 3 inches of water in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil.
  • Crack the crab legs with a seafood cracker.
  • Place the crab legs in the pot and cover.
  • Cook for 5-7 minutes until crab is heated through. If you have raw crab, cook for 10-12 minutes until flesh is red/orange and opaque.
  • Drain the crab legs and cover to keep warm.
  • Melt the butter in the pot. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Turn off the heat and stir in the salt, pepper and parsley.
  • Return the crab to the pot and toss to coat with the garlic butter. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 203mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 709IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg
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    Comments

    1. Lynn says

      December 28, 2022 at 9:18 am

      Great 👍 perfect quick easy yummy
      Delicious
      Whole family loved it

      Reply
    2. Marla says

      June 21, 2021 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      I used your suggestion of the smoked paprika and boy did the crab come out amazing!

      Reply
    3. Madison says

      August 26, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      Costco had crab so I treated us ! I think the crab had been frozen but it still came out sweet and delicious! It really was a treat!

      Reply
      • David says

        August 28, 2020 at 8:50 pm

        5 stars
        Crab is almost always frozen. You might be lucky enough to live in a place that sells live crabs from a tank; otherwise its all previously cooked and frozen because crab meat goes bad very fast.

        Reply
    4. Dinh says

      August 5, 2020 at 9:32 am

      You are the best chef !

      Reply
    5. Deb says

      July 30, 2020 at 8:07 pm

      5 stars
      I made it for a birthday celebration and it was a success!

      Reply
    6. Sue says

      February 29, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      My new favorite crab recipe! Nice flavor that does’t mask the crab flavor

      Reply
    7. Sandra says

      February 5, 2020 at 9:18 pm

      5 stars
      My family loved it! So tasty and delicious!

      Reply
    8. Krissy Allori says

      January 30, 2020 at 3:29 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for my sons birthday and he was thrilled! So good!

      Reply
    9. Kim says

      January 30, 2020 at 3:16 pm

      5 stars
      I have never been brave enough to cook crab legs! I’m printing and can’t wait to try it! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Zeola says

        August 22, 2020 at 8:53 am

        My 1st time trying to cook them, i what kind of sauce u use on them

        Reply
        • Sara says

          August 22, 2020 at 1:46 pm

          They don’t really need a sauce since they’re coated in garlic butter, but you could serve more melted butter or cocktail sauce on the side.

          Reply
    10. Nancy says

      January 30, 2020 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      I love your tips on what to serve with the crab legs! Sometimes I am at a loss for what goes well with them! These are perfect!

      Reply
    11. Toni says

      January 30, 2020 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      This is so good! Can’t wait to make it again!

      Reply
    12. Amanda says

      January 26, 2020 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      I always thought crab legs were complicated but this recipe was easy and so delicious!

      Reply
    13. Beth says

      January 26, 2020 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      I always thought crab legs were so intimidating but these were not! Turned out great!

      Reply
    14. Cathy says

      January 24, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      Oh my gosh these are 100% restaurant quality!!!

      Reply
    15. Chrissie Baker says

      January 24, 2020 at 1:55 am

      5 stars
      Looks very delicious, my daughter would love this recipe, thank you for sharing…

      Reply
    16. Erin says

      January 23, 2020 at 7:39 pm

      5 stars
      These crab legs are would disappear in our house!

      Reply
    17. Amanda says

      January 23, 2020 at 5:14 pm

      5 stars
      Wow the picture alone makes my mouth water!

      Reply
    18. Catherine Dickey says

      January 21, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      I’ll bring the Garlic Butter if you bring the Crab legs lol Going to try this if I can get a good price on the legs (senior speaking ) giggles

      Reply
    19. Anita says

      January 15, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      Eating crabs is definitely a messy affair, but oh so worth it. And I like your approach to keep everything simple. After all, really great crab doesn’t need a whole lot of seasonings. 🙂

      Reply

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