Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous seafood cravings.
- Flavor-Packed: The garlic butter sauce is infused with fresh lemon and optional Old Bay seasoning, creating a zesty, savory flavor that elevates the natural sweetness of the crab.
- Customizable: You can skip the Old Bay seasoning or adjust the garlic and lemon to suit your taste.
- Low-Carb and Gluten-Free: This recipe is both low-carb and gluten-free, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Seafood
- 900 g crab legs (king or snow crab), thawed if previously frozen
Aromatics
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Fats
- 115 g unsalted butter
Acid & Seasoning
- 15 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 5 g Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Garnish
- 15 g fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions
1. Prepare the Crab Legs
- Using kitchen shears, carefully snip along the crab shells to make them easier to open.
- Rinse the crab legs under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant, but be careful not to brown the garlic.
- Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning (if using). Allow the mixture to gently simmer for 1 minute.
3. Cook the Crab Legs
- Place the prepared crab legs into the skillet and spoon the hot garlic butter over the shells to ensure even coating.
- Cover and cook for 4-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the crab meat is heated through.
4. Serve
- Transfer the heated crab legs to a serving platter.
- Drizzle with any remaining garlic butter and optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
- Serve immediately with additional melted butter if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Garlic Butter: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
- Herb Infusion: Mix in some chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for a fragrant touch.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Leftover crab legs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the crab legs gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a little extra butter to prevent them from drying out.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen crab legs?
Yes! Just make sure to thaw them properly before cooking, either overnight in the refrigerator or by running them under cold water for quicker thawing.
2. Can I use a different seasoning instead of Old Bay?
Absolutely! You can swap it for any seasoning blend you prefer, such as Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or even Italian seasoning.
3. How can I make the crab legs easier to eat?
Crack open the shells slightly before cooking, which allows the butter sauce to seep into the crab meat and makes it easier to extract the meat later.
4. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While butter provides the best flavor, you can substitute margarine if you need a dairy-free or vegan alternative. However, the taste might differ slightly.
5. Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Yes, you can easily add vegetables like corn on the cob or asparagus to the skillet and cook them alongside the crab legs.
Conclusion
These Garlic Butter Crab Legs are a decadent, flavorful dish that is sure to impress any seafood lover. With tender crab meat coated in a rich garlic butter sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon, they make for a delightful dinner or special occasion dish. Try them today and enjoy this simple yet indulgent seafood feast!
Garlic Butter Crab Legs: A Deliciously Simple Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Seafood
Description
These Garlic Butter Crab Legs are quick, easy, and packed with flavor. The rich garlic butter sauce, infused with lemon and Old Bay seasoning, perfectly complements the sweet, tender crab meat.
Ingredients
900 g crab legs (king or snow crab), thawed if previously frozen
5 cloves garlic, minced
115 g unsalted butter
15 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
5 g Old Bay seasoning (optional)
Salt, to taste
15 g fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Using kitchen shears, carefully snip along the crab shells to make them easier to open. Rinse the crab legs under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant, but be careful not to brown the garlic. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning (if using). Allow the mixture to gently simmer for 1 minute.
- Place the prepared crab legs into the skillet and spoon the hot garlic butter over the shells to ensure even coating. Cover and cook for 4-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the crab meat is heated through.
- Transfer the heated crab legs to a serving platter. Drizzle with any remaining garlic butter and optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately with additional melted butter if desired.
Notes
For a spicy version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the garlic butter.
Mix in chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for a fragrant touch.
Leftover crab legs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
