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Home / Baking

Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce

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Author: Imma Published:2/03/2020Updated:7/07/2021
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Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce – easy to eat baked crab dish brushed with garlic, butter, lemon, and Creole seasoning sauce. You can now have a gourmet treat right at home without the hefty price tag. And it comes ready from start to finish in less than 20 minutes!

Baked Crab Legs

Let me welcome this month of February with one of my favorite dishes to order at restaurants – crab legs! This time around, I’m making them at home for a gourmet feast on Valentine’s Day. Trust me, you’d be surprised how easy it is to prepare – even novice cooks can make it. Just pair it with one of our steak recipes HERE on the blog (or the suggested pairings below), some wine, and dessert and you’re all set for a fancy dinner date at home.

How to Choose Which Crab to Buy?

Before you go to your nearest grocery stores, let’s first talk about which one to buy and why. Okay, first off, what I’m using today is the famous King crab legs. There are actually two kinds of crab legs usually sold here in the U.S. – the snow crab legs (with smooth and softer shells) and the King crab legs (thicker and spiky legs).

Snow crab legs are sold in clusters with several smaller legs. King crab, on the other hand, have much larger legs that are sold individually. Although they’re quite pricey compared with the snow crab legs, I love the fact that they’re meaty, sweet and juicy. All worth every penny!

Baked Crab Legs

Is it Better to Bake or Boil Crab Legs?

I’ve tried baking and boiling King crab legs and I must say that I prefer them baked. Boiling crab legs dilutes the natural flavors found in crab, whereas, if you bake them, it enhances its natural aroma and flavor.

Can You Cook Frozen Crab Legs in Oven?

Well, actually you can. However, that will need more baking minutes. What I would usually do though is thaw the crab legs in the fridge overnight or place the crabs under cold running water for a few minutes. The latter is a pretty good option, especially when you want something that’s out of your usual meal but forget to thaw the crab.

The crab is done if it is heated thoroughly and not cold or just barely warm. The FDA suggests that all seafood must have an internal temperature at 145 F (in the thickest part) before you could say it’s safe to eat.

How Long to Cook Crab Legs?

Love a quick yet mouth-watering dinner? Then this is what you’re looking for. This baked crab legs recipe only needs 5 minutes baking time and it comes ready from start to finish in less than 20 minutes. And before you know it, it’ll be gone before it even lands on the dining table.

How to Eat Crab Legs?

This crab legs recipe is actually EASY than you think it is. You don’t have to deal with burning your hands from cracking open a hot crab leg. The prep or cracking the shell is actually done before you pop it in the oven so the meat is exposed and catches all the flavor from the garlic butter sauce.

Then once it is cooked through, just take out the meat with your long-stemmed fork and take the crab meat out of the shell. Dip it on the remaining sauce or squeeze it with some lemon wedges.

Baked Crab Legs

What to Serve with Crab Legs?

Crab legs definitely call for some butter or lemon squeeze. But I sometimes pair them with any of these ones below for a festive dinner. Juicy, succulent, sweet, buttery, garlicky with a little kick crab meat. Mmmm..yum!

  • Homemade Garlic Bread
  • Sauteed Spinach
  • Twice-baked Potatoes
  • Caesar Salad
  • Strawberry Spinach Salad
  • Mushroom Risotto

Other Recipes that You Might Like

  • Maryland Crab Cakes
  • Crab Salad
  • Crab-stuffed Mushrooms
  • Crab Rangoon
  • Grilled Lobster Tail
  • Lobster Bisque

Baked Crab Legs

 

How To Cook Crab Legs

 

Baked Crab LegsThaw crabs legs in the refrigerator overnight or for faster results place crabs under cold running water for a few minutes. Preheat oven to 375 F. When ready to cook, cut the crab legs into half so the flesh of the crab is visible. Skip the knife and use kitchen shears or scissors to do so. You’ll thank me later. Place crab legs in an oven-safe pan or on a baking sheet.

Crab Legs in Garlic Butter SauceAdd butter, garlic, Creole seasoning in a small bowl. Microwave for about a minute. Remove and add lemon juice. Mix well.

Baked Crab LegsBrush crab with butter mixture all over the crab legs – reserve any excess for serving. Place the crab legs in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes, or until the crab legs are heated through. Sprinkle with parsley or chives. Serve immediately with the remaining sauce and/or lemon wedges for squeezing over meat.

 

 

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Baked Crab Legs
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Baked Crab Legs in Garlic Butter Sauce

Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce - easy to eat baked crab dish brushed with garlic, butter, lemon, and Creole seasoning sauce. You can now have a gourmet treat right at home without the hefty price tag. And it comes ready from start to finish in less than 20 minutes!
5 from 5 votes
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 5 minutes mins
Total: 15 minutes mins
American
Servings 2 people

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (453.59g) king crab legs
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter , melted 
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced (about 1 tablespoon garlic)
  • 1-2 teaspoons (4g-8g) Creole seasoning 
  • ½ tablespoon (7.5ml) lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon (3g) chopped chives or parsley
  • lemon wedges to serve

Instructions

  • Thaw crabs legs in the refrigerator overnight or for faster results place crabs under cold running water for a few minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • When ready to cook, cut the crab legs into half so the flesh of the crab is visible.  Skip the knife and use kitchen shears or scissors to do so. You'll thank me later.
  • Place crab legs in an oven-safe pan or on a baking sheet.
  • Add butter, garlic, Creole seasoning in a small bowl. Microwave for about a minute. Remove and add lemon juice. Mix well.
  • Brush crab with butter mixture all over the crab legs - reserve any excess for serving.
  • Place the crab legs in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes, or until the crab legs are heated through. Sprinkle with parsley or chives.
  • Serve immediately with the remaining sauce and/or lemon wedges for squeezing over meat.

Tips & Notes:

  1. One of the great things about this recipe, you are not trying to cut open hot crab legs with scissors, the prep is done before they are heated.
  2. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 260kcal (13%)| Carbohydrates: 2g (1%)| Protein: 11g (22%)| Fat: 23g (35%)| Saturated Fat: 14g (88%)| Cholesterol: 84mg (28%)| Sodium: 478mg (21%)| Potassium: 154mg (4%)| Fiber: 1g (4%)| Sugar: 1g (1%)| Vitamin A: 1181IU (24%)| Vitamin C: 8mg (10%)| Calcium: 41mg (4%)| Iron: 1mg (6%)
Author: Imma
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Tag Us On Instagram!Did you make this recipe? I love hearing how it turned out! Tag me on Instagram @ImmaculateBites and be sure to leave a rating below!
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Nutrition Facts
Baked Crab Legs in Garlic Butter Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 260 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 14g88%
Cholesterol 84mg28%
Sodium 478mg21%
Potassium 154mg4%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 1181IU24%
Vitamin C 8mg10%
Calcium 41mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Baked Crab Legs in Garlic Butter Sauce
Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce
Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce

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Comments & Reviews
  1. Betty says

    Posted on 1/18 at 7:44AM

    Thank you for this detailed recipe and information on how to cook Crab-legs, especially the “How-to pictures”; also, compliments to the photographer. I’ve always wanted to cook Crab-legs, but did not know how. I’ve taken notes and now, I can do it. I’m planning something different for my Valentine, birthday boy, and my menu consists of your recipes of Baked Crab-legs, Twice Baked Potatoes, Garlic Bread, along with a salad and the birthday cake. I’m a want-to-be cook and I spend a lot of time on your site reading your wonderful food creations. You have taught me a lot. Thanks again

    Reply
  2. Shaikha says

    Posted on 9/21 at 2:26AM

    I loved these so much! Made them about a year ago and glad i found it again, will be making it for lunch also. I remember the flavor was so strong and the crab was soft❤️

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 9/22 at 2:23PM

      Hi Shaika! That is soo nice to know! If ever you are looking for something and you can’t find it, please know that you can always reach out through my social media accounts. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Rashida Laurence says

    Posted on 4/10 at 7:24PM

    5 stars
    I don’t have a stock pot. So I needed this recipe. They came out fantastic! So delicious. I made snow crabs (bought frozen) and bought thawed king crab legs. The king crab leg shells were partially cut open from Sam’s club $31/lb so I did not cut them open. I made sure the butter went over these areas. Oh my, they were so good.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 4/12 at 1:34AM

      Oh that sounds soooo good, Rashida!

      Reply
  4. Kiah says

    Posted on 10/28 at 1:44PM

    5 stars
    I used Snow Crab Legs (it was what I could afford) for my birthday dinner and girl! Your butter sauce is to die for! I added some tarragon and parsley to the butter as it melted then brushed over the crab legs and it was AMAZING!

    Reply
    • Imma Adamu says

      Posted on 10/28 at 9:19PM

      Thank you so much for the appreciation and support, Kiah! I’m glad you liked it!

      Reply
  5. Hailey Ann says

    Posted on 9/15 at 7:48AM

    5 stars
    The butter sauce in this is to DIE for. I’m planning to whip up some more to put on all my seafood dishes (and more crab, which I just ordered! for the next month! Great recipe, even the kids liked it LOL

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 9/15 at 5:19PM

      So happy it was a hit with the kiddos. Thanks for the feedback.

      Reply
  6. Neshia says

    Posted on 7/5 at 10:54AM

    5 stars
    Made this last night! This was so good. Kitchen shears was a smart choice. Still was hard to cut thru some parts but doing this ahead of time was smart!

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 7/5 at 11:38AM

      Thanks for taking time to share with us.Glad to hear it worked out well for you.

      Reply
  7. Jessica says

    Posted on 6/26 at 7:32AM

    Do you cook them covered or uncovered?

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 6/26 at 8:01AM

      I cook uncovered .

      Reply
  8. Sophie says

    Posted on 2/6 at 5:07AM

    Crab legs is my favourite game time food and with NBA season going on, nothing can be better than having a plate of Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce in my lap and a glass of Beer.

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 2/7 at 6:52AM

      Great! Couldn’t agree more.

      Reply
  9. Vergaline S. says

    Posted on 2/3 at 3:36PM

    Once again Imma, you have taken one of the simplest of foods and suggested how to make it a delightful meal/treat. I love all kinds of crab but I usually fix what we have here in northern California, Dungeness. Thank you for a different way to make the other kinds of crab. You are right, King is a bit more expensive, but likes like it’s well worth the treat. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  10. Robyn Owsley says

    Posted on 2/3 at 7:36AM

    Can I use snow crab legs instead? Same prep, less cook time?

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 2/3 at 4:14PM

      I don’t see why not.

      Reply

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