Crab Legs with Garlic Butter
Crab legs with garlic butter is a decadent and indulgent seafood dish that showcases the sweet, delicate flavor of crab paired with rich, aromatic garlic butter.
This recipe highlights the simplicity of cooking crab legs to perfection, ensuring they are tender and flavorful. Whether enjoyed as a luxurious main course or served as part of a seafood feast, crab legs with garlic butter promises to delight with its irresistible taste and elegant presentation.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs crab legs, thawed if frozen
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Optional: Old Bay seasoning or seafood seasoning blend
How to Make Crab Legs with Garlic Butter
Prepare the Crab Legs:
If using frozen crab legs, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or according to package instructions. Rinse the crab legs under cold water to remove any ice crystals or debris. Use kitchen shears to cut the crab legs into manageable sections, if desired.
Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce:
In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning or your favorite seafood seasoning blend for extra flavor.
Steam or Boil the Crab Legs:
Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of water. Place a steamer basket or rack inside the pot. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
Arrange the crab legs in the steamer basket or directly in the pot. Cover with a lid and steam for 5-7 minutes, or until the crab legs are heated through. Alternatively, you can boil the crab legs in the same pot of water for 3-4 minutes.
Serve with Garlic Butter:
Transfer the steamed or boiled crab legs to a serving platter or individual plates.
Drizzle the prepared garlic butter sauce over the crab legs, ensuring each piece is coated evenly.
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish the crab legs with additional chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the crab meat.
Chef’s Note
Crab Leg Options: Choose your preferred type of crab legs, such as snow crab legs or king crab legs, based on availability and personal taste preferences.
Cracking Tools: Provide crab crackers or nutcrackers at the table for easy cracking of the shells and access to the delicious crab meat inside.
Enhancing Flavor: Customize the garlic butter sauce by adding minced shallots or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
Side Dishes: Serve crab legs with steamed vegetables, a crisp salad, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful garlic butter sauce.
Nutritional Information (per serving, about 1 lb of crab legs)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
Savor the exquisite flavors of crab legs with garlic butter, a luxurious seafood dish that brings together tender crab meat and rich, savory buttery goodness. Whether enjoyed as a special occasion treat or a weekend indulgence, this recipe promises a memorable dining experience with every succulent bite.
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