Snow Crab Legs
on Aug 28, 2022
Treat your guests to these succulent Snow Crab Legs seasoned with Old Bay seasoning. They’re incredibly easy to make and ready to eat in just 10 minutes!
What Is Snow Crab?
Snow crab is a shellfish native to the north Pacific ocean and the northwest Atlantic ocean. When cooked, the sweet briny-flavored meat changes in color from red to white.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- water
- salt
- Old Bay seasoning
- unsalted butter
- snow crab legs
- lemon
(Note: Full recipe is at the bottom of the post)
How to Cook Snow Crab Legs
- Add water to a large pot and bring it to a boil. Add the salt and Old Bay seasoning and continue to boil.
- Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. After about 1 minute the butter should begin to foam. Remove from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes. Use a spoon to remove the milk solids floating on top. Discard the solids and pour the clarified butter into a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add the crab legs to the boiling water and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until fragrant.
- Transfer the crab legs to a plate and serve sprinkled with additional Old Bay, lemon wedges, and clarified butter.
Tips And Tricks
- This recipe serves one and can easily be doubled or tripled as needed.
- Approximately 1 pound of snow crab legs is equal to a serving.
- Snow crab only needs to cook for about 5 minutes. Overcooked crab can be tough and stringy.
How Long To Boil Snow Crab Legs
If you purchase frozen crab legs at the supermarket, they’re already fully cooked. You’ll need to thaw them first and then boil them for about 5 minutes until hot. Fresh, raw crab legs should be boiled for about 6-8 minutes. You’ll know the crab is done when the shells turn a bright orangey-red and the meat is opaque.
How Do You Tell If Snow Crab Legs are Cooked?
If the crab was raw, the shells will turn a bright orangey-red. The meat should be opaque and easy to remove from the shell. Undercooked crab shells are brown or green. To check the meat, you’ll have to crack the shell.
How to Store Snow Crab Legs
Leftover snow crab should be cooled to room temperature, placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Most snow crab legs sold at grocery stores are pre-cooked. For this reason, freezing leftovers is not recommended. If the crab legs haven’t been cooked or thawed, they can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How To Reheat Snow Crab Legs
Crab legs are best reheated in a pot of boiling water. Add the crab legs to the boiling water and heat for about 5 minutes until hot.
What’s The Difference Between Snow Crab And King Crab?
King crab is much bigger than snow crab and has a thicker, spikey shell that’s hard to crack. Both types of crab have a deliciously sweet flavor, with the snow crab’s being a tad brinier. King crab is also much more expensive than snow crab.
How To Serve Snow Crab Legs
Snow crab is delicious with lemon wedges and clarified butter. To make it a meal, add a loaded baked potato, rice, pasta, or your favorite veggies.
Snow Crab Legs Recipe
Ingredients
- water
- salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 pound snow crab legs
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Add the salt and Old Bay seasoning and continue to boil.
- Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. After about 1 minute the butter should begin to foam. Remove from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes. Use a spoon to remove the milk solids floating on top. Discard the solids and pour the clarified butter into a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add the crab legs to the boiling water and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until fragrant.
- Transfer the crab legs to a plate and serve sprinkled with additional Old Bay, lemon wedges, and clarified butter.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
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