By Becky Hardin
Published Aug 11, 2023
No need to go to a fancy seafood restaurant to have delicious, succulent Snow Crab Legs when they’re so easy to make at home! I’ll show you how to cook crab legs with 3 different methods (use the stove, an Instant Pot or Air Fryer) so that you can enjoy this delicacy any time you please. They’ll be ready in 15 minutes, so get to crackin’!
What’s in this Snow Crab Legs recipe?
Whether you have a stock pot, an Instant Pot, or an Air Fryer, you can make perfect crab legs with just a few simple ingredients!
- Snow Crab Legs: These have sweet and delicate crab meat, and are known for their exceptionally long legs and tender flesh. They’re the most affordable type at most grocery stores, and are typically sold in clusters (so multiple legs in one!).
- Lemon: Has an acidic and citrusy flavor that complements the sweetness of the crab meat.
- Unsalted Butter: Has a rich and creamy flavor that enhances the natural sweetness of the crab meat.
- Seafood Seasoning: A blend of various herbs and spices, like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and sometimes cayenne pepper, that enhance the flavor of the crab.
Fun Fact: Crab legs can only be sold live or cooked. When you buy crab legs at the store, they are cooked, frozen, and thawed. So we’re really just reheating them!
Variations on Crab Legs
Learning how to cook crab legs is so easy and straightforward, you’ll be able to make some simple variations as you please. Use this recipe to cook Snow Crab, King Crab, or Dungeness Crab Legs. You can change up the flavor by using a different seasonings, like Creole seasoning or blackened seasoning , or by adding some minced garlic and herbs to the butter.
Snow crab is a type of crab with long limbs, much like King Crab. It has a sweet, slightly briny flavor and a firm texture.
You sure can! Depending on the size, the legs may take slightly longer to cook.
The best way to thaw frozen crab legs is to place them in the refrigerator overnight. This allows them to thaw slowly and safely. You can also place them in a sealed Ziplock bag submerged in cold water for about 30-60 minutes to thaw them more quickly.
No! Crab legs can be cooked in clusters, as the shells will separate easily after cooking. However, you can separate the legs with kitchen shears or a sharp knife if you prefer.
To remove the meat from crab legs, you can use kitchen shears or a crab cracker to crack the shells and expose the meat. Gently pull the meat out with your fingers or a small fork.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crab legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, steam or microwave them until heated through. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become tough and rubbery.
How to Freeze
Freeze crab legs in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Serve Crab Legs
Serve these snow crab legs simply with melted butter and lemon wedges. After cracking the shells and pulling out the meat, you can squeeze lemon juice on top, then dip the meat into butter, and eat. It’s a true delicacy! They also taste great with garlic aioli , or try tartar sauce , cocktail sauce, or bang bang sauce .
Make it a full meal by pairing them with corn on the cob , coleslaw , roasted potatoes , sautéed vegetables , crusty bread , Hawaiian rolls , or a fresh salad .
If you like this recipe, you’ll love this lobster tail recipe too!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 clusters Snow Crab legs (about 8 legs) – thawed if frozen
- ▢ 1 lemon halved
- ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (¼ stick)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning such as Old Bay
For Serving
- ▢ Melted butter
- ▢ Lemon wedges
- ▢ Seafood seasoning
Instructions
On the Stovetop
- Fill a large stock pot with 2 inches of water and place it over medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil.
- When the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the lemon halves, butter, and seafood seasoning. Stir to combine. 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
- Add the snow crab clusters and place a tight fitting lid on top of the pot. Cook the crab legs for 8 minutes, or until they are bright red in color and seaming hot. Serve immediately. 2 clusters Snow Crab legs
In the Instant Pot
- Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of your instant pot along with the melted butter and seafood seasoning. Mix to combine. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
- Place the trivet insert into the Instant Pot and then place the crab legs and lemon halves on top of the trivet. 2 clusters Snow Crab legs, 1 lemon
- Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook- Manual for 3 minutes.
- When the time is up, release the pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position. Serve immediately.
In the Air Fryer
- Juice the lemon into a small bowl and then add the melted butter and seafood seasoning. Stir to combine. 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
- Brush the crab legs with the butter mixture and then place them in the air fryer. 2 clusters Snow Crab legs
- Cook at 350°F for 7 minutes, or until they are bright red and very hot. Serve immediately.
Equipment
- Stock Pot OR
- Instant Pot OR
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Crab Recipes We Love
- Crab Rangoon
- Crab Dip
- Crab Cakes
- Seafood Lasagna
How to Cook Crab Legs (3 Ways)
Equipment
- Stock Pot OR
- Instant Pot OR
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Ingredients
- 2 clusters Snow Crab legs (about 8 legs) - thawed if frozen
- 1 lemon halved
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (¼ stick)
- 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning such as Old Bay
For Serving
- Melted butter
- Lemon wedges
- Seafood seasoning
Instructions
On the Stovetop
- Fill a large stock pot with 2 inches of water and place it over medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil.
- When the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the lemon halves, butter, and seafood seasoning. Stir to combine. 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
- Add the snow crab clusters and place a tight fitting lid on top of the pot. Cook the crab legs for 8 minutes, or until they are bright red in color and seaming hot. Serve immediately. 2 clusters Snow Crab legs
In the Instant Pot
- Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of your instant pot along with the melted butter and seafood seasoning. Mix to combine. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
- Place the trivet insert into the Instant Pot and then place the crab legs and lemon halves on top of the trivet. 2 clusters Snow Crab legs, 1 lemon
- Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook- Manual for 3 minutes.
- When the time is up, release the pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position. Serve immediately.
In the Air Fryer
- Juice the lemon into a small bowl and then add the melted butter and seafood seasoning. Stir to combine. 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
- Brush the crab legs with the butter mixture and then place them in the air fryer. 2 clusters Snow Crab legs
- Cook at 350°F for 7 minutes, or until they are bright red and very hot. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
