Crab legs are a gourmet treat that you don’t have to spend a fortune on at a fancy restaurant. With just a few simple steps, you can easily make delicious crab legs at home. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of boiling, steaming, or broiling crab legs. We’ll also share tips on how to properly eat crab legs, which can be a bit tricky for beginners.
What Kind of Crab Legs Should I Buy?
In American grocery stores, you’ll typically find two main types of crab legs: snow crab legs and king crab legs. Snow crab legs come in clusters, with several legs and maybe even a claw clustered together. On the other hand, king crab legs are sold individually and are much larger. Snow crab legs are generally more affordable, so you’ll need to choose based on your budget and preferences.
How to Eat Crab Legs
Eating crab legs can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here’s how to tackle both king crab legs and snow crab legs:
For King Crab Legs: Grab a pair of kitchen scissors and carefully cut down the shell of a leg lengthwise. Once you’ve made the cut, gently fold the leg open to expose the delicious meat inside.
For Snow Crab Legs:
- Start by removing each individual leg from the cluster by snapping it off at the cluster.
- Break each leg into two parts by snapping it at the joint.
- To extract the meat from each leg part, use two hands on each end to gently bend it back and forth until the shell breaks. The meat should easily slide out.
- For the claws, you can use a cracker or your teeth to break open the shell. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as you don’t want to crush the meat inside. Peel back the shell until you can easily slide the meat out.
- If you’re dealing with a cluster, gently crack it open with your hands and fold it open. The meat is nestled inside, waiting to be enjoyed. Use a small fork to remove all the pockets of delicious meat.
How to Serve Crab Legs
Crab legs are typically served with melted butter and lemon wedges on the side. Once you’ve removed the meat from the shells, you can squeeze some lemon juice over it and dip it in melted butter for an extra burst of flavor.
In the New England area, another popular serving option is to sprinkle Old Bay seasoning onto a plate and serve the crab meat with it. Old Bay seasoning is a delectable blend of herbs and spices that perfectly complements seafood. So, after dipping your crab in butter and lemon juice, finish it off by dipping it in the Old Bay seasoning for an explosion of flavors.
If you enjoy cooking crab legs, you might also be interested in learning how to cook lobster tails. They’re another seafood delicacy that can be prepared and enjoyed right in the comfort of your own home.
Ekilove is committed to sharing culinary knowledge and empowering you to explore new recipes and cooking techniques. So, put on your chef hat and get ready to impress your friends and family with your crab leg cooking skills!
