Indulge in a restaurant-quality feast right at home with this ultimate Garlic Butter Crab Legs recipe. In just about 30 minutes, you can serve up succulent, flavorful crab legs dripping with a rich and savory garlic butter sauce. This guide covers everything you need to know, from choosing the best crab to the perfect cooking methods. Get ready to impress!
Whether it’s for a special occasion or a luxurious weeknight dinner, learning how to cook Garlic Butter Crab Legs is a skill that pays off. It’s surprisingly simple, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to be a memorable meal. We’re breaking it all down for you.
Don't be shy with the sauce – it's the secret to amazing flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Crab Legs Recipe
Incredibly Flavorful: The garlic butter sauce is the star, made with fresh garlic, rich butter, a hint of lemon, and herbs that perfectly complement the sweet crab meat.
Quick and Easy: This impressive dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight treat or a last-minute dinner party.
Versatile Cooking Methods: We’ll show you how to bake, steam, or boil your crab legs to perfection.
Restaurant-Worthy at Home: Save money and enjoy a gourmet experience without ever leaving your kitchen. It’s a fun, hands-on meal the whole family will love.
The Stars of the Show: Key Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a few high-quality ingredients to let the sweet flavor of the crab shine through.
Choosing Your Crab: King vs. Snow
You can use either King Crab or Snow Crab for this recipe. King Crab legs are larger, with thicker shells and huge, meaty portions. Snow Crab legs are smaller and sweeter, with thinner shells that are easier to crack. Both are typically sold pre-cooked and frozen, so your main job is to heat them through and infuse them with flavor.
For the Perfect Garlic Butter Sauce
Crab Legs: About 2 pounds of King or Snow crab legs.
Butter: Use a high-quality salted butter for the best flavor.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must. Avoid the pre-minced jarred kind for this recipe.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the rich butter sauce.
Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley adds a touch of color and freshness.
Old Bay Seasoning: A classic seafood seasoning that adds a savory, slightly spicy kick.
Every bite is pure bliss. Look at that garlic butter drip!
How to Make Garlic Butter Crab Legs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making delicious Garlic Butter Crab Legs is easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, chopped parsley, and Old Bay seasoning. Set your delicious sauce aside.
Step 2: Choose Your Cooking Method
Since most crab legs are already cooked, you’re simply reheating them. Here are our top three methods.
Method 1: Baking (Our Favorite!)
Baking is our preferred method as it infuses the crab with flavor without adding extra water.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
Brush the crab legs generously with about half of the garlic butter sauce.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through and fragrant.
Serve immediately with the remaining garlic butter sauce for dipping.
Method 2: Steaming
Steaming is a classic method that gently heats the crab, keeping the meat tender and moist.
Add about an inch of water to a large pot with a steamer basket and bring to a boil.
Place the crab legs in the steamer basket over the boiling water.
Cover the pot and steam for 5-7 minutes, until the crab is heated through.
Remove the crab legs and serve with the garlic butter sauce on the side.
Method 3: Boiling
Boiling is the quickest method, but be careful not to overcook the crab as it can become watery.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
Carefully add the crab legs to the pot.
Boil for 3-5 minutes, just until heated through.
Drain the crab legs well and serve with the garlic butter sauce.
Tips for Restaurant-Quality Crab Legs at Home
Don’t Overcook: Remember, the crab legs are already cooked. You are just reheating them. Overcooking will make the meat tough and rubbery.
Thaw First: For best results, thaw your frozen crab legs in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re short on time, you can thaw them under cold running water.
Serve Immediately: Crab legs are best enjoyed hot, right after cooking. Have your side dishes ready to go. For more ideas on quick meals, check out these quick chicken dinner ideas.
What to Serve with Your Garlic Butter Crab Legs
Complete your seafood feast with some classic sides. We love serving our crab legs with steamed potatoes, corn on the cob, and crusty bread like our garlic butter dinner rolls to sop up all that delicious garlic butter. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also makes a refreshing accompaniment. And for dessert, why not try some easy lemon cookie bars?
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, we recommend the oven method. Place the crab legs on a baking sheet, brush with a little melted butter, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, until just heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Butter Crab Legs
Both King Crab and Snow Crab work beautifully for this recipe. King Crab legs are larger and meatier, while Snow Crab legs are sweeter and easier to crack. The choice comes down to personal preference and budget.
Most crab legs sold in stores are pre-cooked and frozen to maintain freshness. It’s perfectly fine, and in fact common, to use frozen crab legs. Just be sure to thaw them properly in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Since the crab legs are already cooked, you are simply reheating them. They are done when they are hot all the way through. You’ll notice they become very fragrant. This usually takes 10-12 minutes in a 400°F oven or 5-7 minutes steaming.
The best way to reheat crab legs without drying them out is in the oven. Place them on a baking sheet, brush with a little melted butter, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the meat rubbery.
Yes, you can prepare the garlic butter sauce up to 2-3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat before using.
Enjoy Your Seafood Feast!
This Garlic Butter Crab Legs recipe is your ticket to a luxurious and delicious meal that’s unbelievably easy to make. We know you’ll love it as much as we do. If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and share your masterpiece on Pinterest!
Get ready to dive into the best Garlic Butter Crab Legs you've ever had!
Garlic Butter Crab Legs Recipe
FL Recipes
Garlic Butter Crab Legs: The Ultimate Guide
Indulge in a restaurant-quality feast with this easy Garlic Butter Crab Legs recipe. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish features succulent crab legs drenched in a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for a special occasion or a quick weeknight dinner.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, chopped parsley, and Old Bay seasoning.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This is for the baking method.
Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
Brush the crab legs generously with about half of the garlic butter sauce. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through and fragrant.
Serve immediately with the remaining garlic butter sauce for dipping, along with lemon wedges.
Nutrition
Calories: 580kcalProtein: 25gFat: 52gFiber: 0.5g
Notes
Don't Overcook: Remember, the crab legs are already cooked; you are just reheating them. Overcooking will make the meat tough. Thaw First: For best results, thaw frozen crab legs in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. Alternative Methods: You can also steam the crab legs for 5-7 minutes or boil them for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
Keyword crab legs recipe,garlic butter crab legs,seafood dinner
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
