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How to Cook Crab Legs
Many people are intimidated when it comes to cooking crab legs. They are costly, so some are afraid they may mess them up. The good news is crab legs are pretty simple to cook. Instead of paying premium prices for them at the restaurant, try making some at home. You will save money and still get to enjoy a delicious treat from the sea.
Boiling and Steaming
Two primary ways of cooking are recommended for crab legs: boiling and steaming. If you can boil water, you can cook crab legs. You may still be wondering how long to boil crab legs... you do not want them to be overcooked. If you purchase crab legs on their own, they will be frozen. Before freezing, they were cooked. In order to get the best results, thaw the crab legs in the refrigerator or under cold running water. Rinsing will help remove any extra salt flavor from the legs. Small crab legs will need to boil for 5 to 7 minutes to heat through; larger legs may need 7 to 10 minutes. You can add seasoning to the water before you put your crab inside.
Steaming crab legs is another method of reheating. Steaming is a gentle cooking method that preserves the crab's texture and full flavor. Bring the water to a boil and put the crab legs in a basket or rack so the steam can circulate around them. Your first clue that the crab legs are warming will be the fragrant aroma of crab. If the legs are hot to the touch, they are done.
King Crab Legs
King crab legs from Alaska are well known all over the world. Luckily, there are many places online where you can order flash frozen King crab legs that will be shipped directly to your home. King crab legs are revered for their size and flavor. You can boil, steam, grill, or broil your King crab legs.
These crab legs are sized according to how many legs make up 10 pounds. The smaller the number you are quoted, the larger the legs will be. For example, a number 40 means each leg is about 1/4 pound. A number 10 means each leg is a full pound in its own right. You can use nut crackers, knives, or hammers to get the meat out of your King crab legs. Be cautious; the shells will have several sharp points over the surface. They can hurt your hands if you are not careful.
Frozen Crab Legs
You can order many types of frozen crab legs besides King crab. Dungeness is a very popular, sweet crab from the west coast of North America. Snow crab is another Alaskan crab that is smaller and less expensive. It has a nice, light flavor. Many crabs from the Pacific Ocean are only fished during the winter months, so once they are caught, they are cooked and flash frozen so crab meat is available year round. Frozen crab legs let anyone enjoy the sweet flavors of crab legs no matter where they live.
