Crab legs with garlic butter is a satisfying way to enjoy fresh seafood. You can use this dish as an appetizer or main course option. With this quick and easy recipe, you can enjoy this flavorful dish in just 20 minutes. Follow the simple instructions below to create a meal that will become a favorite in your kitchen.
Crab legs with garlic butter sauce is a timeless seafood classic that never fails to impress. The sweet and succulent crab meat paired with the rich and flavorful garlic butter sauce creates a mouthwatering combination that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're serving it as an appetizer or a main course, this dish is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more. Follow this simple recipe, and you'll be enjoying restaurant-quality crab legs in the comfort of your own home!
Crab Legs with Garlic Butter Sauce Ingredients
- Snow Crab clusters: Snow crab clusters are the star of this dish. Their sweet, juicy flesh pairs perfectly with the garlic butter sauce.
- Butter: Butter adds richness and a creamy texture to the sauce.
- Garlic: It adds an aromatic and savory flavor to the butter sauce.
- Dried parsley: Dried parsley adds a hint of freshness and color to the dish, balancing out the richness of the butter.
- Black pepper: Black pepper adds a subtle kick of heat and complexity to the sauce.
- Salt: It enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients and helps to balance the sweetness of the crab meat.
Where to Buy Crab Legs?
This recipe requires using snow crab legs, which are popular for their mild flavor and easy-to-crack shells. You can usually find fresh or frozen snow crab legs at your local grocery store or seafood market. They are often less expensive than king crab legs.
How to make Crab Legs with Garlic Butter Sauce?
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Melt the butter in a skillet, then add the garlic and cook until translucent. Then, add the seasonings and cook until the butter bubbles.
Make the Crab Legs: Cut a lengthwise slit in each shell. Add the crab legs to the butter mixture and cook until the crab meat is heated through.
How Long to Cook Crab Legs?
The crab legs should be fully cooked in the bubbling butter mixture in about five or six minutes. The entire recipe, including the sauce, will take about 20 minutes to prepare.
How to Eat Crab Legs
Eating snow crab legs is easy. You do not need any special cracking tools. Just pull a leg from the cluster, bend it at the joint, and slowly pull the joints apart. Pro tip: Warm legs are easier to crack.
How to Reheat Crab Legs
Crab legs can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. When ready to eat, simply brush them with butter and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes.
Cut a slit, length-wise, into the shell of each piece of crab.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in parsley, pepper, and salt. Continue to heat until the mixture is bubbling.
Add the crab legs to the skillet; toss to coat with the butter mixture. Simmer until thoroughly heated through, 5 to 6 minutes.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Calories: 520
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
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When cooking crab legs, it's essential to pay attention to the timing to ensure they're perfectly cooked and not overdone. Remember, crab legs are already cooked when you buy them, so you're essentially just reheating them. Keep an eye on them while they're simmering in the garlic butter sauce, and remove them from the heat as soon as they're heated through to avoid overcooking, which can result in tough and rubbery meat. With a little care and attention, you'll achieve tender and flavorful crab legs every time!
