How to Steam Crab Legs

Skip the crowded all-you-can-eat crab legs buffet and learn how to steam crab legs at home, in under 15 minutes. Pair your perfectly steamed legs with lemon wedges, rich garlic butter dipping sauce, or a bold Cajun dipping sauce for a restaurant-quality meal.

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword Crab

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings people

Calories 381kcal

Author Darcey Olson

Cost $20

Ingredients

Crab Legs

1½-2 lbs crab legs *Note 1
melted butter and lemon slices, for serving

Optional Dipping Sauces

Instructions

Add 1–2" of water to a large pot. Add lemon wedges for extra flavor, if desired.
Place a steamer basket or colander over the water so the crab legs won't be submerged.
Once the water is boiling, place the crab legs in the steamer basket and cover. If the lid doesn't close snuggly, cover it with foil.
Steam for 4–5 minutes for smaller pre-cooked crab legs. *Note 2
Steam for 4–6 minutes minutes for larger pre-cooked crab legs.
For frozen or raw crab legs, see the chart in the notes section. *Note 3
Use tongs to remove the crab legs. Serve hot or cold with lemon wedges, butter, and dipping sauces.

Notes

Note 1 - Set the timer for the low end of the time range and check to see how the legs are doing at that time. You don’t want to overcook them.

Note 2 - The meat will be pearly white and opaque when ready to go.

Note 3 - cooking times for the various crab types.

Alaskan King Crab Legs

Frozen (pre-cooked): 6–8 minutes
Thawed (pre-cooked): 4–6 minutes
Fresh (uncooked): 10–12 minutes

Snow Crab Legs

Frozen (pre-cooked): 5–7 minutes
Thawed (pre-cooked): 4–5 minutes
Fresh (uncooked): 8–10 minutes

Dungeness Crab

Frozen (pre-cooked): 7–9 minutes
Fresh (uncooked): 12–14 minutes

Blue Crab

Frozen (pre-cooked): 5–6 minutes
Fresh (uncooked): 10–12 minutes

Nutrition