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Plate of deliciously cooked crab legs garnished for a festive occasion

Delicious Crab Legs

Enjoy sweet, tender crab legs baked to perfection in a rich garlic butter sauce, perfect for any gathering.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Seafood
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs Crab legs (king crab or snow crab) Use frozen for convenience.
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter Opt for salted if that’s what you have on hand.
  • 4 cloves Fresh garlic Enhances flavor; jarred minced garlic can substitute in a pinch.
  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice Use fresh juice for the best flavor.
  • 1 tbsp Sea salt Kosher salt works well, too.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Thaw frozen crab legs under cold running water for 15-20 minutes if necessary.
  2. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  3. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
  4. Stir in lemon juice and a pinch of salt to create a flavorful sauce.
Baking
  1. Arrange thawed crab legs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush them with the garlic butter sauce.
  2. Bake for 15-20 minutes until they are heated through.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately, drizzling any remaining garlic butter over the crab legs.

Notes

Common mistakes to avoid include cooking the crab legs at too high a temperature and not thawing them entirely. Pro Tip: Keep a close eye on the garlic when sautéing to avoid burning. A squeeze of fresh lemon when serving intensifies flavor.