Description
This Easy Baked Snow Crab Legs recipe features succulent crab legs coated in a flavorful garlic butter sauce with hints of lemon and Cajun seasoning. Baked to perfection in the oven, it’s a quick and elegant seafood dish ideal for gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, minced (optional)
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (salt-free preferred)
- 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt (to taste, depending on Cajun seasoning and butter saltiness)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
Main Ingredient
- 2 pounds snow crab legs
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the crab legs.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter along with olive oil. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, making sure not to brown it. Stir in parsley, kosher salt, black pepper, and Cajun seasoning until combined.
- Add Lemon: Stir in the lemon zest first, then add the lemon juice. Remove the sauce from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Crab Legs: Arrange the snow crab legs evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the prepared garlic butter sauce over the crab legs, coating them thoroughly.
- Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes if using thawed crab legs, or 20-25 minutes if using frozen crab legs. Ensure they are heated through and reach an internal temperature of 140°F.
- Baste and Serve: Remove the crab legs from the oven and carefully take off the foil. Baste them again with the butter sauce collected at the bottom of the dish. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and remaining garlic butter sauce for dipping.
- How to Open the Crab Legs: Break the crab leg at the joint using your hands. Insert a fork with the pointed end down into the opening created, then gently pull the crab meat out. If the meat resists, wiggle or rotate the fork slightly. Dip the crab meat in the garlic butter sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- For frozen crab legs, allow extra baking time as noted to ensure they are properly heated through.
- Adjust the salt quantity based on the salt content of your Cajun seasoning and butter.
- Fresh parsley is optional but adds a bright, fresh flavor to the butter sauce.
- Serve immediately after baking for the best texture and taste.
- The internal temperature of 140°F is recommended for safe consumption of seafood.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
