How to Heat Snow Crab Legs: Steam, Bake or Grill
From the Oceanside kitchen Β· Seafood guide
Make already cooked snow crab legs warm and tender with a short steam, oven bake or grill finish. Learn how to crack the legs and reach the meat without crushing it.
Start with already cooked snow crab
These methods are for cooked snow crab legs. Confirm this on the package; shell color alone is not a reliable way to identify whether a product is raw or cooked. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and follow any product-specific reheating instructions.
Steam
Bring a little water to a boil beneath a steamer basket. Add thawed legs, cover and steam about 3β5 minutes, until heated through.
Bake
Heat the oven to 375Β°F. Arrange thawed legs on a rimmed baking sheet and warm about 5β10 minutes, checking larger clusters for even heating.
Grill
Lightly oil the thawed legs and grill over moderate heat, turning once. Begin checking after a few minutes; the goal is to warm the meat without drying it.
How to crack crab legs
- Separate a leg from the cluster and bend it gently at the joint.
- Use kitchen shears or a cracker to open the shell without crushing the meat.
- Slide out the meat with a small fork. Crack claws gently and open the knuckle to reach its small pockets of meat.
Serve with melted butter and lemon. Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a shallow covered container and use within 2β3 days.
What to serve alongside
Melted butter and lemon.
Helpful questions
What should I check before starting?
Check the package to confirm the crab is cooked; the methods here are for reheating, not cooking raw crab.
