Of course! Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce is a spectacular and surprisingly easy way to prepare a luxurious seafood dinner at home. The oven does most of the work, and the result is tender, sweet crab meat dipped in a rich, flavorful butter sauce.
Here’s a simple yet impressive recipe.
Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce
This method is perfect for king crab legs or snow crab clusters.
Ingredients
· Crab Legs: 2-3 pounds frozen king crab legs or snow crab clusters
· For the Butter Sauce:
· 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
· 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
· 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (plus extra lemon wedges for serving)
· 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or Cajun seasoning)
· ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
· ¼ teaspoon black pepper
· 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
· A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Thaw the Crab Legs: The best way is to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. For a quicker method, place the frozen crab legs in a sink or large bowl of cold water for 30-60 minutes until flexible.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Butter Sauce: While the oven heats, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, Old Bay, paprika, black pepper, and parsley.
- Prep the Baking Dish: Choose a baking dish or sheet pan large enough to hold the crab legs in a single layer. Pour about half of the butter sauce into the bottom of the dish.
- Prepare the Crab: Use kitchen shears or heavy-duty scissors to cut along the shell of the crab legs. Make a long slit to expose the meat. This allows the sauce to penetrate and makes them much easier to eat after baking. You can also leave some whole for presentation.
- Bake: Arrange the prepped crab legs in the baking dish. Pour the remaining butter sauce generously over the top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-25 minutes. The time will depend on the size of the legs:
· Snow Crab Clusters: 15-20 minutes
· King Crab Legs: 20-25 minutes
· The crab is done when it is heated through and fragrant. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) if you check with a thermometer. - Serve: Carefully remove the dish from the oven (it will be steamy!). Garnish with extra fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side. Don’t forget to provide crab crackers, picks, and plenty of napkins! Pour the delicious butter sauce from the pan into small bowls for dipping.
How to Serve: A Classic Seafood Boil Spread
Turn this into a feast with these classic sides:
· Dipping Sauces: Extra melted butter, lemon wedges, and cocktail sauce.
· Starches: Corn on the cob, crusty French bread for soaking up the sauce, or roasted potatoes.
· Vegetables: A simple green salad or coleslaw to cut through the richness.
Important Tips & FAQs
· Don’t Overcook: Crab meat is already cooked (it’s typically pre-cooked before freezing). You are just heating it through. Overcooking will make the meat rubbery and tough.
· Thawing is Key: Baking frozen crab legs directly will take much longer and can result in uneven heating. Thawing them first ensures they heat through perfectly.
· Easy Cleaning: For super easy cleanup, line your baking dish with aluminum foil before adding the sauce and crab.
· Broiler Finish: For a little extra color and crispness on top, remove the foil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking and turn on the broiler. Watch it closely to avoid burning.
· Variations on the Sauce:
· Lemon-Herb: Add more lemon zest and other herbs like dill or chives.
· Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the butter.
· White Wine: Add a splash of dry white wine to the butter sauce and let it reduce slightly.
Enjoy your incredibly delicious and impressive baked crab leg dinner