Crab legs are a delicious seafood treat that many people love. While boiling and steaming are popular cooking methods, did you know you can also cook crab legs in the oven? With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy tender, juicy steamed crab legs baked right in your oven.
As someone who loves cooking seafood at home I’ve found that oven-steamed crab legs are easier and less messy than stovetop steaming. The oven creates a hot and steamy environment that perfectly cooks the crab legs while keeping them moist and flavorful.
In this simple guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to steam crab legs in the oven like a pro
Benefits of Cooking Crab Legs in the Oven
Here are some of the biggest benefits of steaming crab legs in the oven rather than on the stovetop
Even cooking: The hot air circulates evenly around the crab legs, steaming them evenly on all sides. No need to worry about rotating a steamer basket.
Mess-free: Steaming on the stovetop often results in boil overs and water splatters. Oven steaming contains the hot steam neatly in your baking dish.
Holds temperature: Once out of the oven, the baking dish retains heat longer than a steamer basket off the stove. Crab legs stay warmer for serving.
Infuses flavor: You can infuse extra flavor by adding seasonings, garlic, citrus, or herbs right to the baking dish.
Easy monitoring: The oven light allows you to monitor the crab legs without releasing steam and heat.
Self-contained: Everything cooks in one baking dish, meaning less cooking equipment and an easy cleanup.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Crab Legs in the Oven
Follow these simple steps for foolproof oven-steamed crab legs every time:
Ingredients
- Crab legs, fresh or thawed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil (optional)
- Seasonings of your choice
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. This low, gentle heat helps steam the crab legs slowly so they become tender and juicy.
Prepare a baking dish. Choose a shallow baking dish just large enough to hold the crab legs in a single layer. Glass, ceramic, aluminum foil pans, or casserole dishes all work well.
Add water. Pour 1/2 inch of water into the bottom of the baking dish. This will create steam as it heats up.
Place crab legs in dish. Arrange the crab legs in the dish and pour any additional seasonings over them. The water should come about 1/4 to 1/3 up the sides of the legs.
Cover tightly. Seal the dish very tightly with aluminum foil to trap the steam. Poke 4-5 small slits in the foil to allow steam to escape.
Bake 15-20 minutes. Bake until the shell colors turn bright orange and the meat is opaque and flaky. Check often to prevent overcooking.
Remove from oven. Use oven mitts to remove the hot dish from the oven. Be careful of the hot steam upon uncovering.
Serve and enjoy! Use tongs to transfer the hot crab legs to plates. Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, and any other desired sauces or seasonings.
Tips for the Best Oven-Steamed Crab Legs
For added flavor, mix 1 tbsp of butter, olive oil, or Old Bay seasoning into the water before steaming.
If using frozen crab legs, add 5 extra minutes to the cooking time and cover tightly so they steam gently.
Test for doneness early to avoid overcooked meat. Translucent, flaky meat means they’re done.
Placing crab legs directly on the oven rack can also work. Cover tightly with foil as described above.
Crab leg clusters can be kept warm in a 200°F oven for up to 20 minutes before serving.
Oven Steaming Times for Different Types of Crab
Depending on the size and type of crab legs, steaming times can vary.
Here are approximate oven steaming times for popular varieties of crab legs:
- King crab legs: 15-18 minutes
- Snow crab legs: 14-16 minutes
- Dungeness crab legs: 12-14 minutes
- Stone crab claws: 15-20 minutes
No matter the type, check early and often for doneness. You want flaky, opaque meat without overcooking.
Cooking Different Crab Leg Amounts
The baking dish size, amount of water, and steaming time may need to be adjusted depending on how many crab legs you’re cooking.
Here are some guidelines for steaming different crab leg amounts in the oven:
- 1 lb: Use a 8″ x 8” dish, 1/3 cup water, 15-18 minutes
- 1.5 lbs: Use a 8″ x 11” dish, 1/2 cup water, 18-22 minutes
- 2 lbs or more: Use a 9” x 13” dish, 3/4 cup water, 20-25 minutes
As always, begin checking earlier for doneness to prevent overcooking. Adding more crab legs means less space for steam to circulate, so the cooking time only increases slightly.
Top Flavor Pairings for Oven-Steamed Crab Legs
Once your crab legs are oven-steamed to tender perfection, it’s time to flavor them up.
Here are some of my favorite flavor pairings to serve with steamed crab legs:
- Melted butter – Classic and delicious
- Lemon wedges – Brightens up the rich crab flavor
- Garlic butter – For an extra kick of garlic
- Dipping sauces – Creamy mustard sauce, aioli, or co*cktail sauce
- Fresh herbs – Chives, dill, parsley all complement crab well
- Seasonings – Old Bay, lemon pepper, garlic powder, paprika
- Olive oil, vinegar, citrus – For light drizzling over the crab meat
Feel free to mix and match flavors or come up with your own creative combinations! The tender meat of steamed crab legs soaks up flavors beautifully.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Crab Legs
Like most seafood, cooked crab legs are best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated or frozen to enjoy later:
Refrigerating: Store leftover crab legs in an airtight container up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
Freezing: Flash freeze cooked crab legs in a single layer on a sheet pan before storing in bags or airtight containers. They’ll keep 2-3 months.
Reheating: Microwave frozen crab legs 3-5 minutes until heated through. Or place in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Do not overheat.
I recommend enjoying any leftover crab meat right away or removing it from the shells before storing. The shells can damage the delicate flavor and texture of the meat during extended storage.
Common Oven Steaming Questions
If you’re new to oven-steaming seafood, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Should the crab legs be submerged in the water or above it?
The crab legs should sit slightly above the water, not submerged completely. This allows the steam to circulate fully around the meat for even cooking.
Does the baking dish size matter for steaming?
Use a dish just large enough to hold the legs in a single layer with a little space around each. Too large and steam disperses instead of circulating.
Can I use seasonings, lemon, garlic, etc in the steaming liquid?
Yes, any extra flavors added to the steaming liquid or sprinkled over the crab legs will impart more flavor.
What type of crab legs work best?
All types of crab legs can be steamed in the oven, including king, snow, Dungeness, etc. Adjust times as needed.
Do the crab shells change color when they are done?
The shells will turn bright orange-red when they are fully cooked and the meat is tender.
Why do I need to cover the crab legs while steaming?
A tight cover traps the steam so it infuses the crab legs thoroughly. Venting the foil allows excess steam to escape.
Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Crab Legs at Home
Steaming crab legs in the oven yields incredibly tender, moist, and flavorful results every time. Much easier than boiling pots of water on the stovetop!
With this simple guide, you can now enjoy tender oven-steamed crab legs in the comfort of your own home. Impress guests or indulge in a special seafood treat without all the work and mess of stovetop steaming.
So grab some fresh crab legs from the market, prep your baking dish, and get ready
More Delicious Crab Recipes to Try
Now that you know how to steam snow crab legs in the oven, you’re ready to try out a number of tasty recipes that use this method. If you want to treat yourself to something classic and delicious, try the Classic Oven-Steamed Snow Crab Legs with Garlic Butter recipe. Its rich flavors are a crowd-pleaser and provide a solid foundation for your culinary exploration. When you want something a little spicier, the Spicy Cajun Snow Crab Legs with Corn and Potatoes is a great choice. It combines the sweetness of crab with the heat of Cajun seasoning. If you want something a little lighter, the Lemon Pepper Snow Crab Legs with Dill Dip add a citrusy twist that will cool you down. Each recipe gives you a different way to enjoy the delicate flavors of snow crab, making mealtimes fun and satisfying. Share your tips and tricks for steaming snow crab legs in the oven in our.
Why Choose the Oven Method?
Steaming snow crab legs in the oven offers several advantages. The first benefit is that it lets you set the timer and do other things while it does the work. Second, steaming the crab legs in the oven helps them keep their natural flavors and moisture, making the meat tender and juicy. Finally, the oven makes it possible to steam a lot of crab legs at once, which is great for parties and gatherings.
Before diving into the steaming process, make sure you have the following items ready:
- Snow crab legs
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Baking sheet or roasting pan
- Large pot or bowl
- Butter or melted garlic butter for serving (optional)
- Crackers and picks for easy crab leg cracking
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- The snow crab legs can be thawed overnight in the fridge or under cold running water.
- Make a steaming setup by making a loosely sealed packet out of aluminum foil or parchment paper. This keeps the steam in and makes sure the crab legs cook evenly.
- Prepare the foil packet. Place the crab legs on a baking sheet or roasting pan and cover them with it.
- Start the oven and put the pan in it. The crab legs should be steamed for 10 to 12 minutes.
- For a tasty dipping sauce, melt butter in a small saucepan or microwave while the crab legs are cooking.
- When the crab legs are done, use oven mitts or tongs to carefully take them out of the oven.
- Place the steamed crab legs on a serving platter. You can leave them in the foil packet or arrange them one by one.
- Serve hot with garlic butter or melted butter for dipping. Don’t forget the crackers and picks to open the shells and enjoy the tasty meat.
How to cook crab legs in the OVEN!! (Easy recipe)
FAQ
How long to steam crab legs on the stove?
Bring the water to a boil, then place the crab legs in the steamer basket. Cover the pot, and let the legs steam until heated through. This should take four or five minutes for thawed crab legs, and a few minutes more if the legs were frozen when you placed them in the steamer.
Can you steam crab legs in aluminum foil?
The Steaming Process Prepare a steaming setup by crumpling aluminum foil or using parchment paper to create a loosely sealed packet. This helps to trap the steam and cook the crab legs evenly. Place the crab legs on a baking sheet or roasting pan and cover them with the prepared foil packet.
How long do you keep crab legs in the oven?
Bake your crabs for about 25 minutes or so (depending on how thick the legs you have are), brushing the sauce from the bottom of the pan onto the legs every 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with a few pinches o’ parsley for garnish.
What’s the best way to steam crab legs without a steamer?
If not using a steamer basket, simply cover the bottom of a wide pot or pan with about ¼ inch of water and add a few lemon slices. Cover with lid and bring to a simmer over medium heat until steaming. Then, add crab and cover with lid.
Can You steam crab legs in the oven?
Yes, you can steam crab legs in the oven. It is a simple and convenient method that yields delicious results. What do I need to steam crab legs in the oven? To steam crab legs in the oven, you will need a baking sheet or a shallow roasting pan, aluminum foil, a wire rack, and a steaming liquid such as water or seasoned broth.
How do you cook frozen crab legs?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or 400°F (205°C), depending on the recipe. If using frozen crab legs, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water for 30 minutes. Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a baking sheet or sheet pan. If desired, line the pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
How do you cook crab legs on a baking sheet?
Place the crab legs on top of a large baking sheet, lined with aluminum foil. Brush the butter mixture over the crab legs with a pastry brush. Feel free to add extra Old Bay seasoning here! Next, tent another piece of foil on top of the baking sheet, securing at the left and right ends of the pan.
How long do you cook crab legs in a pan?
If desired, line the pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Brush the crab legs with olive oil or melted butter, then sprinkle with your desired seasonings. Bake the crab legs for 12-15 minutes, or until heated through. Serve hot with lemon wedges and additional melted butter or butter sauce, if desired.
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