Crab Legs with Garlic Butter
With this recipe for Crab Legs with Garlic Butter, you’ll enjoy sweet and tender crab meat that simply melts in your mouth. Perfectly steamed, they’re paired with a lemon-infused butter sauce that’s delicious for dipping.
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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Crab Legs Recipe
- Tender, sweet crab meat
- Lemon garlicky butter sauce
- Easy to make with little prep work
- Made in under 15 minutes
- Perfect for special occasion dinners
Crab legs are a super popular item at seafood restaurants and raw bars. But have you ever wondered how to cook them at home? Surprisingly, it’s easier than you might think. With just a large skillet and your stovetop, you can prepare delectable crab legs in under 15 minutes.
Of course, for the full crab leg experience, you have to have the perfect butter to dip them in. The recipe includes a savory, lemony, garlicky, buttery sauce that pairs perfectly with the sweet and tender crab meat. Make extra and serve it with these Air Fryer Shrimp or these Broiled Lobster Tails for even more seafood goodness.
And if you’re a fan of crab, be sure to try my mouthwatering Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms and these incredible Crab Rangoon Dip.
🛒 Ingredients for Crab Legs with Garlic Butter
- Snow crab legs
- Butter
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Water
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
🥣 Recommended Tools
- Large skillet with a lid
🔪 How to Make Crab Legs
Heat a large skillet to medium high and pour in 1 cup of water. Add in the crab leg clusters, cover with a lid and bring to a simmer.
The crab legs will steam for 6–8 minutes, depending on the size of your crabs. They should be heated through and ready to serve.
While the crabs are steaming, add the butter and garlic into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 25–30 seconds, or until the butter has melted and the garlic is slightly cooked.
You’re not looking to brown the garlic; you just want it cooked just enough to tame the raw garlic flavor.
Add in the lemon juice and zest, then whisk to combine.
Serve on the side of the freshly steamed crab for dipping.
💡 Tips for Cooking Crab Legs
- Quality matters: Look for crab clusters that appear firm, plump, and free from any discoloration or strong odor. The shells should be intact without any cracks or damage.
- Check the weight: Heavier crab clusters typically indicate that they are packed with more meat. Lift a few clusters to compare their weight and choose the ones that feel heavier for their size.
- Prep them: Before cooking them, prep the crab legs by rinsing them under cold water to remove any debris.
- Use a Large Skillet: You’ll want to make sure to use a large skillet with a lid for steaming crab legs. Make sure it’s big enough to fit the crab legs without overcrowding.
- Avoid overcooking: It should only take about 6–8 minutes to cook them, depending on the size and thickness of the legs. Avoid overcooking because it can cause tough, rubbery meat.
☑️ Storage Instructions
If possible, remove the crab meat from the shells before storing it. This makes it easier to store and reheat later. You can store the leftover meat in an airtight container for a couple of days.
🍴 What to Serve with Steamed Crab Legs
While crab legs are typically served with Red Potatoes and corn on the cob, there are some tasty low-carb options to help keep this meal keto-friendly.
- Vegetables: You never go wrong with low-carb veggies like this Sautéed Broccolini with Garlic, Oven Roasted Broccoli, Air Fryer Green Beans, and this Air Fryer Asparagus.
- Cauliflower: Replace traditional rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative. This loaded Mashed Cauliflower is another delicious low carb side that goes well with crab.
- Tasty side salad: Serve these crab legs with this refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad this Thai Cucumber Salad and this Greek Salad are great salad choices.
- Slaw: These crab legs are delicious with a side of this Easy Homemade Coleslaw, this Buffalo Coleslaw or this Mexican Coleslaw.
🔄 Substitutions and Additions
- Crab legs: Instead of snow crab legs, you can use other varieties, such as Dungeness crab or king crab legs.
- Herbs: Add fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives to the garlic butter sauce for extra flavor.
- Spices: Enhance the flavor of the garlic butter sauce with a pinch of Old Bay seasoning, homemade Cajun Seasoning, or red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
- White Wine: Substitute some of the water in the skillet with white wine to add depth of flavor to the steaming liquid.
- Citrus: Besides lemon, you can use other citrus fruits, such as lime or orange, to add brightness to the garlic butter sauce.
Are Crab Leg Keto?
They sure are. Crab legs are low in carbs and high in protein, making them perfect for keto or other low carb diets. They are also a good source of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.
Can I Make The Garlic Butter Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make the garlic butter sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stove until melted and warm.
How Do I Know My Crab Legs are Done Steaming?
The crab legs are done steaming when they are heated through and the meat is opaque and easily pulls away from the shell.
Can I Steam Crab Legs Using a Different Method?
Sure! You can steam crab legs using a variety of methods, such as a steamer basket, a large pot with a steamer insert, or even in the oven using a roasting pan with a rack. Each method may take a different amount of cooking time, so adjust the time accordingly.
🍽️ More Seafood Recipes
- Baked Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce
- Keto Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce
- Salmon Piccata
- Keto Coconut Shrimp
- Creamy Shrimp Alfredo
- Baked Salmon in Foil
- Shrimp alla Vodka
- Sheet Pan Shrimp
- Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Salmon
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Crab Legs with Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 4 clusters snow crab legs, or Dungeness or King, about 1 1/2 pounds
- 1/3 cup butter
- 3 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium high and pour in 1 cup of water.
- Add in the crab leg clusters, cover with a lid and bring to a simmer.
- The crab legs will steam for 6-8 minutes, depending on the size of your crabs. They should be heated through and ready to serve.
- While the crabs are steaming, add the butter and garlic into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 25-30 seconds or until the butter has melted and the garlic is slightly cooked. You’re not looking to brown the garlic, you just want it cooked just enough to tame the raw garlic flavor.
- Add in the lemon juice and zest, then whisk to combine.
- Serve on the side of the freshly steamed crab for dipping.
*Make sure to scroll up and read the post for substitutions, additions and helpful tips for making this recipe.
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
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