This Dungeness Crab Legs recipe is the key to succulent, tender legs bursting in flavor, perfect for any seafood lover. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a quiet meal at home, these will bring a touch of elegance and taste to your table. Paired with melted butter or a tangy dipping sauce, these are a treat you won’t want to miss.
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What are Dungeness Crab Legs
These are the legs of the Dungeness crab, which is a species of crab found along the Pacific coast of North America. Dungeness crabs are known for their sweet and delicate meat, making them a popular choice for seafood lovers.
The legs are typically large, meaty, and contain a good amount of succulent crab meat. They have a hard exoskeleton or shell, which needs to be cracked open to access the meat inside.
The meat is often extracted by breaking or cutting the shell using a crab cracker or a pair of kitchen shears. I can do it pretty easily with my hands, except for the large claw piece.
Dungeness crab legs can be enjoyed in various ways. They can be steamed, air fried, grilled, or even roasted. Once cooked, the meat can be used in a variety of dishes such as crab cakes, crab salads, crab soups, pasta dishes, or simply enjoyed on their own with melted butter or a dipping sauce.
The Difference Between Snow Crab Legs
Dungeness crabs are named after the Dungeness Spit in Washington state, USA, where they were originally found. They are primarily found along the west coast of North America, from Alaska to California.
Snow crabs are found in the northern regions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They are commonly found in the Bering Sea, off the coasts of Alaska and Canada.
Dungeness are typically larger and heavier compared to snow crabs. They have a wider and rounder body with meaty legs. Snow crabs have long, spindly legs with a more slender body. They are generally smaller.
Dungeness crab meat has a slightly sweet and delicate flavor with a slightly nutty undertone. The meat is firm, succulent, and has a flaky texture. Snow crab meat has a mild and slightly briny taste. The meat is tender, sweet, and has a slightly fibrous texture.
Snow crabs are more widely available and can be found in many seafood markets at any time of the year. They are often harvested in large quantities, making them more affordable compared to Dungeness crabs.
How to Buy
It’s important to ensure that they are fresh and sourced from reputable seafood providers. Fresh crab legs should have a firm texture and a slightly sweet aroma.
- Choose a reputable seafood market: Look for a trusted seafood market or fishmonger that has a good reputation for quality and freshness. They are more likely to carry fresh crab legs.
- Check for freshness: Fresh crab legs should have a firm texture and a slightly sweet aroma. Avoid crab legs that have a strong fishy smell or appear soft, mushy, or discolored.
- Size and weight: They come in various sizes, so consider your preference. Larger crab legs will generally have more meat, but they may also be pricier.
- Live or pre-cooked: You can choose between live Dungeness crabs or pre-cooked crab legs.
- Sustainability and seasonality: Consider choosing crab legs from sustainable sources. Dungeness crab has a peak season in some regions, so it’s worth checking if you can find them at their freshest during that time.
- Ask for help: If you’re unsure about selecting the right crab legs, don’t hesitate to ask the fishmonger for help. They can guide you in choosing the best options, provide cooking tips, or even crack the legs for you if needed.
Spices and How to Season
- Old Bay Seasoning: A classic seafood seasoning that’s a blend of celery salt, red pepper, black pepper, paprika, and other spices. It adds a zesty and slightly spicy flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor that pairs well with the sweet taste of crab meat.
- Paprika: Adds a slightly smoky and sweet flavor.
- Cajun Seasoning: A blend of spices that includes garlic, onion, paprika, cayenne pepper, and other seasonings. It adds a bold and spicy flavor.
- Lemon Pepper: A seasoning blend made with lemon zest and black pepper. It adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary that adds a savory flavor.
How to Thaw
You can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight (at least 8 hours). You can also put them in a bowl and run cool water over them to thaw quickly.
How to Make Dungeness Crab Legs
Scroll below to the recipe card for full details on how to steam, bake, grill, air fry, or make them in the pressure cooker.
How to Know When They Are Done
Crab should be cooked until the flesh is pearly or white, and opaque. You won’t be able to tell much by the outside color, because when you bought them they were already pre-cooked and orange. Examine the shoulder (this is the large white part of the cluster). It should be pearly white.
How to Plan How Much You Need Per Person
You should typically plan for 1 1/2 pounds of crab per person. 2 pounds a person is great to be sure you have enough.
How to Reheat
I don’t reheat them. I love to serve these with warm butter and that provides the temperature adjustment I need. If you know you want to eat more of them later, crack them first. The longer they sit, the harder they are to crack and the meat gets trapped inside.
If you must reheat them, saute them in a pan with oil or butter until warm.
Frozen Crab
The crab defrosts quickly in water. I don’t recommend cooking while frozen.
What to Pair With the Dish
Baked Corn on the Cob
Traeger Smoked Corn on the Cob
Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Grilled Asparagus in Foil
More Crab Recipes
Crab Risotto
Creamy Crab Bisque
Seafood Boil in a Bag
Grilled Snow Crab Legs
Crab Quiche
Grilled King Crab Legs
Serve these with our Seafood Boil Sauce recipe.
Dungeness Crab Legs
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds Dungeness crab legs
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning Used in the steamed and Instant Pot method.
- salt to taste Used in the steamed and Instant Pot method.
Instructions
Steamed Crab Legs
- Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of water. Add salt and Old Bay, and bring to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, place a steamer basket or a metal colander into the pot. Ensure that the bottom of the basket or colander does not touch the boiling water.
- Arrange the crab legs in a single layer inside the steamer basket or colander. If the crab legs are too long to fit, you can break them into smaller sections using kitchen shears or a sharp knife.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the crab legs steam for about 5-7 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the crab legs. They are ready when the meat is opaque and easily pulls away from the shell.
Grilled Crab Legs
- Preheat grill to medium-high, 350 degrees.
- Place the crab legs on the grill. Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side. Examine the shoulder (this is the large white part of the cluster). It should be pearly white.
- Cool before you split the crab legs.
Baked Crab Legs
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place the crab legs on a sheet pan.
- Cover the pan with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes. Examine the shoulder (this is the large white part of the cluster). It should be pearly white.
- Cool before you split the crab legs.
Instant Pot Crab Legs
- Place the trivet (that comes with the Instant Pot) into the bottom of the pot.
- Pour in 1 cup of water along with the Old Bay and salt.
- Add in the crab legs.
- Place the lid on the pot and seal. Cook for 1 minute on Manual> High Pressure Cooking.
- When the pot indicates it has finished, quick release the steam.
- Cool before you split the crab legs.
Air Fryer Crab Legs
- Wrap the crab legs in foil and place them in the air fryer.
- Air fry for 5-8 minutes at 370 degrees.
- Examine the shoulder (this is the large white part of the cluster). It should be pearly white.
- Cool before you split the crab legs.
Notes
- Crab should be cooked until the flesh is pearly or white, and opaque. You won’t be able to tell much by the outside color, because when you bought them they were already pre-cooked and orange. Examine the shoulder (this is the large white part of the cluster). It should be pearly white.
- Adjust the spices to suit your tastes.
- If you don’t have a steaming basket, you can boil the crab legs by filling a large pot with enough water to cover the crab legs and bringing the water to a boil. Boil for 4-6 minutes.