Steamed Snow Crab Legs are a delectable and simple seafood dish that showcases the natural sweetness and delicate flavor of snow crab. Perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight treat, these crab legs are steamed to perfection and served with melted butter for dipping. This recipe is quick and easy, requiring minimal preparation and cooking time.
Appliances and Special Utensils
- Large pot with a steamer insert or a steaming rack: Spaghetti Pot
- Kitchen tongs: Kitchen tongs
- Serving platter
- Small saucepan: Medium saucepan, Large saucepan
- Crab crackers or nut crackers
- Seafood forks or picks
Ingredients
- 2 lbs snow crab legs
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
-
Prepare Steamer: Fill the large pot with 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil. Place the steamer insert or rack into the pot, ensuring it sits above the water level.
-
Add Lemon: Place a few lemon slices in the water. This will infuse a subtle citrus flavor into the crab legs as they steam.
-
Steam Crab Legs: Arrange the snow crab legs in the steamer insert or on the rack. Cover the pot with a lid and steam for 5-7 minutes, or until the crab legs are heated through and fragrant.
-
Prepare Butter: While the crab legs are steaming, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. If desired, add the minced garlic to the butter and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
-
Serve: Using kitchen tongs, carefully remove the steamed crab legs from the pot and place them on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
-
Enjoy: Serve the steamed snow crab legs with melted butter on the side for dipping. Use crab crackers or nut crackers to break open the shells and seafood forks or picks to extract the meat. Enjoy your delicious, freshly steamed snow crab legs!