Description
A simple recipe for perfectly steamed snow crab legs served with a rich, homemade garlic butter dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs frozen snow crab legs, thawed
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Thaw the snow crab legs completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water. Discard any ice glaze.
- Prepare the steamer: Pour 1 cup of water into a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. Place a steamer basket inside, ensuring the water level is below the basket.
- Arrange the thawed crab legs in the steamer basket. Cover the pot tightly.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium to maintain a steady steam.
- Steam the crab legs for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the size, until heated through. Do not overcook.
- While the crab steams, make the garlic butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
- Remove the butter from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, paprika, and cayenne pepper, if using.
- Stir in the chopped parsley just before serving.
- Carefully remove the hot crab legs from the steamer. Arrange them on a platter and serve immediately with the warm garlic butter sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- If you prefer a stronger flavor, add 1 tablespoon of Old Bay seasoning to the steaming water.
- For extra zest, add a few lemon slices to the steamer basket with the crab legs.
- If you do not have a steamer basket, you can place a metal colander inside the pot, ensuring the water does not touch the bottom of the colander.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 lb crab legs with 2 tbsp butter
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 150