How Do You Prepare King Crab Legs.

[DawnCt1]

This is not something that I usually buy. They are $14.99 per pound at Costco. But, there is a Price Chopper near me that has them for $8.99 per pound. I am off to the store and I hope that they are not sold out. I have butter, I will buy lemon, but need an easy way to cook them. Thanks, See ya when I get back!

 

[merekc]

I think you just throw them in a pot of boiling water with a crab seasoning packet like (Old Bay or something like that).

Make sure you have some tools, because King crab are harder to get into.

BTW - What time is dinner?

 

[esdras]

This is not something that I usually buy. They are $14.99 per pound at Costco. But, there is a Price Chopper near me that has them for $8.99 per pound. I am off to the store and I hope that they are not sold out. I have butter, I will buy lemon, but need an easy way to cook them. Thanks, See ya when I get back!

Everyone has a different opinion - google a phrase like (how cook "king crab legs"), and you'll get tons of sites offering suggestions. I've even seen a way to barbecue them!

The three most common - however - are boil, steam and microwave. For some reason, I have an aversion to the microwave option.

We use the steaming method. We have a large stainless steel soup pot - fill the bottom with a couple of inches of water - add coarse ground sea salt and bring to a boil. We have a steaming basket that fits on top that holds the crab legs. Use a lid to cover the pot while cooking. From frozen, the legs take about 5-7 minutes to heat. If you thaw them first, probably only 3-5. Don't use this as a guarantee though - keep an eye on them, actually, keep a nose on them. The moment you start to get a strong "fishy" crab smell from the escaping steam, they're done. Remeber, King Crab legs - due to where they come from - are pre-cooked and then flash frozen. You aren't "cooking" them - only "re-heating". The rule is - don't over-re-heat!

Boiling also works - but I don't know the timing on that. Some argue to avoid boiling as they believe that by submersing the legs, some of the flavour will be washed out during cooking. I don't know how much truth there is to that.

Anyway, enjoy your meal - you are having such a treat! I'm just a little jealous!

 

[Magic Mom]

I think most of the time King crab legs are already cooked when you buy them. So all you have to do is defrost first and then steam them. Make sure just to heat them through and not overcook them. Serve them with butter and lemon, or butter with Old Bay, or just with plain butter. mmmmmmm

 

[Michelle67]

All crab is already cooked when you buy it unless it is live and running around a tank. Crab is extremely septic, and if it isn't cooked within a VERY short time of dying it becomes toxic. In fact, if you ever buy live crab to cook yourself and one dies before you get it in the pot, don't even risk it, throw it out!

I always just steam it or drop it in boiling water just long enough to take the chill off it, and have it with butter.

 

[TigerKat]

I always just set them in a large baking pan with a little water, sliced lemons and some Zatarains Crab Boil or Old Bay Seasoning and let them heat up on low heat.

 

[rparmfamily]

I'm the bad girl who microwaves them in a pinch LOL. I think I wrapped them in damp paper towels first, might have wrapped them in plastic wrap too. They came out awesome. I just googled it after the guy at Costco who sold them to me suggested the microwaving.

I just ate them w/melted real (no margarine!) butter. They were a "kudos" present to myself, for surviving another deployment, LOL.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I microwave them too! Steaming also works well.

Though I actually don't care for King crab legs, I prefer Dungeness crabs, then Snow crabs.

Kimya

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I always just set them in a large baking pan with a little water, sliced lemons and some Zatarains Crab Boil or Old Bay Seasoning and let them heat up on low heat.

I thought of you when I saw this thread. Kat's a good cook so I am sure this is a great way!

I made crab legs once and hated how they turned out but I think I may have gotten a bad batch. Can't remember how I cooked them though...

 

[Michelle67]

Though I actually don't care for King crab legs, I prefer Dungeness crabs, then Snow crabs

 

[What the Heck]

Just like Queen Crab Legs, but less pomp and circumstance!

 

[SpecialK]

We just throw them on the grill. No smell in the house and no clean up. Also, I cut right down the shell with a small scisssors to get the meat out. Much easier than cracking.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think most of the time King crab legs are already cooked when you buy them. So all you have to do is defrost first and then steam them. Make sure just to heat them through and not overcook them. Serve them with butter and lemon, or butter with Old Bay, or just with plain butter. mmmmmmm

Just got home with 7 pounds. That was my question; should they go in the freezer or let them thaw. You answered it! Thanks.

 

[DawnCt1]

We just throw them on the grill. No smell in the house and no clean up. Also, I cut right down the shell with a small scisssors to get the meat out. Much easier than cracking.

Good idea. Do you cut down the shell first or after you grill them? How long on the grill?

 

[Lanshark]

I prepare them by letting them know that I very MUCH appreciate the sacrifice they've made so I can gorge myself on their legs. Most accept their fate but every once in a while there is one in the group that I just can't crack.

 

[DawnCt1]

I prepare them by letting them know that I very MUCH appreciate the sacrifice they've made so I can gorge myself on their legs. Most accept their fate but every once in a while there is one in the group that I just can't crack.

I had visions of them crawling from the trunk and up to the driver's seat..and well, you know the rest.

 

[PatsGirl]

Okay Dawn, we are patiently awaiting....

were they good?

 

[Par8hed]

I think you just throw them in a pot of boiling water with a crab seasoning packet like (Old Bay or something like that).

Make sure you have some tools, because King crab are harder to get into.

BTW - What time is dinner?

Haven't read the thread but


NO....NO...NO!!!!!!!!!


You must steam them!


Bring a small amount (inch) of water to a boil in a covered "pasta" size pot.


You MUST keep the crabs out of the water. Use a proper insert, such as you would with a double boiler, or a metal strainer etc. But DO NOT boil the legs. Steam them.

I most highly recommend dousing them generously (Pre-steaming) with Old BAy seasoning.
Throw newspapers on the table , have some mallets and nutcrackers handy, some lemon, some beer, and a little extra Old BAy.