How to Cook Crab Legs in The Oven
The most delicious ever! We bake them in the oven along with lemon halves that later get squeezed over crab, then serve it up to you straight out of their shells. The garlic butter is just an extra touch making these claws so much more tantalizing than any other preparation I’ve had before- trust me when we say this will be one night neither party wants normal food for anymore after dinner.
Crab legs are a delicious, but expensive treat. You’ll usually see three methods for cooking them: steaming (which requires special equipment and can lead to water-logged or flavorless meat), boiling which sometimes creates too much splatter on your stovetop causing goggles/face burns in addition to burning the food itself from excess moisture coming out while heating up pots at once over high heat; finally there’s baking – this one is perfect because anyone who knows how could make perfect crabs with just two ingredients!
Do you love crab legs? If so, this easy oven recipe is perfect for you! We’ll show you how to cook crab legs in the oven with minimal effort. Plus, this dish can be prepared in under 30 minutes – making it a quick and easy weeknight meal. So gather your ingredients and get cooking! You’re going to love this delicious seafood dish.
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Ingredients for Cooking Crab Legs in the Oven:
Ready to make your own restaurant-worthy baked crab legs? You’ll only need 6 ingredients, and I bet you already have five of them! Here is what else can be added:
-2 lbs. crab legs (thawed if frozen)
-1/4 cup butter, melted
-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-1 lemon, halved
How to Purchase the Crab Leg
When it comes to seafood, there is no such thing as too much knowledge. Whether you’re a novice or an expert in the industry; if your local grocery store doesn’t sell what exactly floats your boat then just lean on them for assistance and they’ll be more than happily to provide any information that could help make this purchase decision-free!
The best tip we have found when purchasing frozen foods like crab legs at retail stores (or anywhere really)is always ask questions about where each item came from because not only does fresh vs processing change its flavor profile significantly but also price points can vary greatly between the two.
If you can, get them the day of, or even better- go to a seafood market where they’ll have the freshest legs! If not, get them as close to cooking time as possible so they’re thawed before starting this recipe.
Prepping the Crab Legs for Cooking
Once you’ve got your crab legs, it’s time to prep them for cooking. First, remove any bands or string that may be holding the legs together. Next, use a sharp knife to score the hard outer shell of the crab legs. This will help the heat penetrate the shell and cook the meat more evenly.
After scoring the crab legs, season them with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then, brush on a generous amount of melted butter.
Finally, cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice over the crab legs. Be sure to save the lemon halves – we’ll use them later!
How to Cook Crab Legs in The Oven
Now it’s time to bake those crab legs! Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. While the oven is preheating, melt your butter in a small bowl. Once melted, stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. Set the butter mixture aside.
Next, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil or parchment paper. Place the rinsed and dried crab legs on the baking sheet. Pour the prepared butter mixture over the crab legs, using a brush to evenly coat them. Squeeze the juice from half of a lemon over the legs.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from the oven and serve with the remaining lemon half. Enjoy!
How to Serve Crab Legs
Crab legs are best served hot, straight out of the oven! I like to serve mine with a squeeze of lemon and some drawn butter on the side.
If you want to get really fancy, you can also make a simple garlic dipping sauce by mixing together some melted butter, garlic powder, and salt. Or, for a more decadent dish, try serving your crab legs with this delicious citrus-butter sauce.
No matter how you serve them, I guarantee that these baked crab legs will be a hit at your next dinner party! So go ahead and give them a try – I know you won’t be disappointed.
Crab legs are typically served with a dipping sauce on the side. Our personal favorite is a mixture of equal parts melted butter and lemon juice. You can also add in garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Other popular sauces include cocktail sauce, tarter sauce, and remoulade sauce.
Of course, you can also enjoy your crab legs plain – they’re delicious either way!
How Do You Know When The Crab Legs are Done?
The best way to know if your crab legs are done is by using a meat thermometer. Crab legs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another way to tell if they’re done is by looking at the color of the meat. When they’re properly cooked, the crab meat will be white or slightly off-white in color. If it’s still pink or red, it needs to cook longer.
Finally, you can tell if crab legs are done by giving them a little tug. If they easily pull away from the shell, they’re ready to eat!
Final Thought
If you’re looking for a quick and easy seafood dinner, look no further than this oven-baked crab leg recipe! In less than 30 minutes, you can have a delicious and healthy meal that the whole family will love. So next time you’re craving crab legs, give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Now you have all the tips and tricks for how to cook crab legs in the oven! Give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving seafood. And be sure to let us know how it turned out in the comments below. If you try it at home, be sure to snap a photo and share it with us on social media! We love seeing your culinary creations. Remember to check out our other articles for more great tips and recipes! Happy cooking!
Anthony Michelin (March 26, 1960) is the CEO of Ryujinramenbrooklyn.com – is an expert in finding specialized equipment to assist in the Bar & Kitchen sector. With over 40 years of focus on finding the simplest recipes on the most suitable cookware to create the most delicious meals, I believe it will help you.