Crab Legs Meat: Flavorful Recipes for Baked, Boiled, and Grilled
Are you looking for a seafood dish that will wow your family and friends? Crab legs are the perfect choice with their sweet and tender meat.
Whether you prefer baked, boiled, or grilled, there’s a delicious recipe made with crab legs just waiting to be discovered. But have you ever stopped to think about where they come from, how they’re prepared, how to eat them, or their nutritional value?
Get ready to expand your culinary expertise as you dive into these flavorful recipes!
In this article, we’ll dive into all things crab legs: from the different types available to the best cooking methods and their health benefits. So grab your bib, and let’s get cracking!
Alaskan king crab leg. Credit: canva
Types
When it comes to crab legs, you have a few options to choose from. Each type has its unique flavor and texture, so it’s worth experimenting with a few to see which one you like best. Here are the most common types of crab legs you’ll find at your local seafood market:
King Crab
Alaskan King crab legs are renowned for their succulent taste and generous proportions. Bering Sea dwellers are quite sought-after due to their superior size and flavor compared to other varieties of crab legs.
As a result, these delectable treats can often be found on the menus of upscale restaurants!
Snow Crab
Tantalize your taste buds with these Northwest Atlantic Ocean-sourced crab legs! Though smaller and more delicate than King Crab legs, these morsels are flavorful. Their mild and slightly sweet essence will leave you wanting more!
Dungeness Crab
From the west coast of North America comes these succulent crab legs with a firmer texture than their counterparts and an exquisite sweet flavor. Perfect for stews or soups, they are sure to satisfy any craving!
Mouthwatering and sweet, US East Coast-born crab legs are renowned for their tender texture. With a luscious flavor that stands out from other types of crustaceans, these delightful delicacies make an ideal addition to any dish where you want the succulent taste of crab to take center stage.
Other Types
There are also a few less common types of crab legs that you might encounter, such as Spider Crab legs and Soft-Shell Crab legs. Spider Crab legs are long and spindly, with a delicate, sweet flavor.
Soft-Shell Crab legs are simply crabs that have recently shed their hard outer shells and are served whole, including the legs.
Baked crab leg with cheese. Credit: canva
Cooking Methods
Now that you know about the different types of crab legs, it’s time to talk about how to prepare them. There are a few different cooking methods to choose from, so you can pick the one that best suits your taste and preference.
Here are a few options:
Boiling
Boiling is one of the most popular methods for cooking crab legs, and it’s easy to do! All you need to do is fill a large pot with salted water (add other seasonings like Old Bay or garlic), then place your crab legs in and wait.
Boil them for about 8-10 minutes until they turn bright red, indicating that the heat has spread through each leg evenly. Now enjoy your tasty delicacy!
Steaming
For a more subtle flavor and texture, steaming is your best bet. Fill a large pot to the brim with water, then heat it over high until boiling. Place a basket of crab legs inside the pot; cover it tightly so no steam escapes.
Steam for 8-10 minutes or until they have transitioned into an inviting red hue and are heated through.
Grilling
If you love a grilled meal’s smoky, charred taste, grilling crab legs is an excellent way to enjoy their delicious flavor. Preheat your grill until it glows with medium-high heat before placing the crustaceans on the rack.
Allow them to cook for 8-10 minutes or until they’ve turned bright red and fully heated through. If desired, brush butter or marinade onto them before cooking to give your dish some extra zing!
Ready to serve up some succulent crab legs? Preheat your oven to 375°F and begin by laying your favorite crustacean on a baking sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until they turn bright red, ensuring the insides are sufficiently cooked. To add an extra flavor, brush them in butter or douse them with a marinade – it’s all down to personal preference!
Other Cooking Methods
You can also try sautéing or frying your crab legs for a different twist.
To sauté, heat a little oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the crab legs and cook for about 5-7 minutes until they turn bright red and are heated through.
To fry, heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the crab legs and cook for about 5-7 minutes until they turn bright red and are heated through.
Fried crab legs. Credit: canva
Tips for Cooking
If your crab legs are frozen, thaw them before cooking. You can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of cold water for a few hours.
You can use a crab cracker or a rolling pin to crack the shells of the crab legs. Alternatively, you can use a sharp knife to pry the shells gently.
Fresh crab leg. Credit: canva
Ways to Eat Crab Legs
Eating crab legs can be difficult, as they’re covered in hard-to-crack shells. However, with the right tools and technique, you can learn how to crack and eat crab legs like a master!
Step 1: Gather Your Tools.
You will need a pair of kitchen shears or sharp scissors, a butter knife (or any other blunt knife), and maybe even an old hand towel. These tools will help make your crab leg-eating experience much easier.
The first step is to separate each leg from the crab’s body. To do this, you will need your scissors or shears. Simply cut off each leg at the joint and set them aside.
Step 2: Crack Open Each Leg with Your Knife.
Next up is cracking open each leg using your knife. To do this, place one of the legs on a cutting board or plate and then use your butter knife to crack open the shell of each leg by pushing down hard until it splits apart along its natural seams.
Once you have cracked open each leg, it’s time for step three!
Step 3: Extract The Meat from the Shell Using Your Towel and Knife.
Now that you have cracked open your crab legs, it’s time to extract the sweet meat from inside them!
To do this, take an old hand towel and wrap it around one of the opened legs before using your butter knife to scrape out all the delicious meat.
This can be tricky since some pieces may be stuck inside their shells; however, if you are patient enough, you should be able to get out every last bit successfully!
Nutritional Value of Crab Legs
They are high in protein, with 15.4g per three ounces, and low in carbohydrates and fat. They contain vitamins B12, folate, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, selenium, zinc, and sodium.
They are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect against heart disease and improve overall health.
A 134g serving of Alaskan King Crab Legs contains 130 calories, 2.06g of fat, and 0g of sugar. Furthermore, snow crab legs do not contain carbohydrates or sugars, but they contain up to 23.7g of protein.
Credit: canva
FAQs
What are some flavorful recipes for crab legs?
Crab legs can be cooked in various ways to bring out their flavor. Baked crab legs can be cooked with butter and herbs, boiled with Old Bay seasoning, or grilled with garlic and lemon.
How do I know when my crab legs are done cooking?
When boiling or steaming your crab legs, they will be done when the shells turn bright orange, and the meat is opaque. When baking or grilling your crab legs, they should be cooked until the shells are red and the meat is white.
How do I extract the meat from the crab legs?
To extract the meat from your crab legs, you can use a small seafood fork to pick out the pieces of meat from within the shell. You can also crack the shell with your fingers to access larger pieces of meat.
