Steamed snow crab legs are incredibly easy to make with 3 ingredients and 15 minutes of time!
Why this recipe works
Crab legs might seem a little intimidating to make, which is why so many people reserve them for a nice dinner out. However, snow crab legs are actually super easy to make at home with the help of a steam pot and a generous shake of Old Bay seasoning.
Snow crab legs are tender and succulent, and while we absolutely love sweet Dungeness crab legs, snow crabs offer a bit more meat on the bones while also being longer in comparison. Both of which are absolutely delicious options for a nice meal in.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
CRAB LEGS – You can use frozen snow crab legs if needed, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. We suggest removing the crab legs from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to bring them to room temperature. If you are cooking them directly from the refrigerator add about 5 more minutes to the cook time. Do NOT use precooked crab legs!
How to Make Snow Crab Legs
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Add water to the bottom of the steam pot at least 2-inches up the side. Make sure it’s not too much that it will touch the upper steamer basket.
- Place crab legs into the steamer basket. You may need to work in batches depending on how big your pot is. You need the lid to be able to fully close.
- Sprinkle the crab legs generously with garlic salt and Old Bay. Chef Antoine suggests adding two crab clusters, seasoning them, then adding more seasoning and the remaining clusters.
- Place lid on steamer basket and bring water to a boil over medium-high heat. When water comes to a rolling boil, reduce heat to medium. Cook with lid on for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, uncover, and use tongs to remove clusters to a baking sheet. Allow to cool for 5 minutes as the shells will be very hot.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Store leftover crab legs in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350F until warmed through, or use your leftovers for crab cakes!
Serving Suggestions
To eat, gently bend and wiggle the legs, holding from both sides until the shell cracks. Serve with garlic butter (or regular melted butter) and lemon wedges.
More Crab Recipes
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Snow Crab Legs
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 2 pounds raw snow crab leg clusters about 4 clusters
- 1 Tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon garlic salt
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- We suggest removing the crab legs from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to bring them to room temperature. If you are cooking them directly from the refrigerator, add about 5 more minutes to the cook time.
- You can use frozen snow crab legs if needed, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before beginning. Do NOT use precooked crab legs!!
Instructions
- Add water to the bottom of the steam pot at least 2-inches up the side. Make sure it’s not too much that it will touch the upper steamer basket.
- Place crab legs into the steamer basket. You may need to work in batches depending on how big your pot is. You need the lid to be able to fully close.
- Sprinkle the crab legs generously with garlic salt and Old Bay. Chef Antoine suggests adding two crab clusters, seasoning them, then adding more seasoning and the remaining clusters.
- Place lid on steamer basket and bring water to a boil over medium-high heat. When water comes to a rolling boil, reduce heat to medium. Cook with lid on for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, uncover, and use tongs to remove clusters to a baking sheet. Allow to cool for 5 minutes as the shells will be very hot.
Nutrition
Chef Antoine Davis
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George K says
Horrible. ALL grocery stores sell crabs PRE-COOKED (which was not mentioned here) – if you cook for 10 mins as directed they will become ‘rubbery’ and not edible. Thx for wasting my money!
Amanda Davis says
Goodness. I really hadn’t considered that someone would buy precooked crab legs and cook them again. I will be sure to edit the ingredient list to reflect that. For future reference, don’t cook something that’s already cooked! Also, I have NEVER seen pre-cooked full crab legs in a grocery store around here. Recipes assume that you are purchasing raw meats to cook. Precooked meats of all kinds simply need reheating, not cooking.