King Crab Legs - A Meal Fit For a King

Alaska king crab is one of the most popular dishes at seafood restaurants and buffets around the world. These magnificent creatures yield large chunks, of tender, snowy white meat, outlined by flecks of brilliant, bright red. It's delicate, soft flavor and melt in your mouth texture have made king crab prized by legions of refined palates. Fresh from the arctic waters off the coast of Alaska, nothing beats this delicious treat. This article discusses how to cook king crab legs, including grilling, boiling, steaming and baking.

Harvested in the Bering Sea and beyond, these crustaceans are known for their copious amounts of rich, succulent meat.  They have a tender, delicate flavor and are an excellent source of protein. They are extremely low and fat and incredibly easy to prepare. 

When first learning how to cook king crab legs, keep in mind that you really can't make mistakes. It's really simple; you'll be cooking like a pro in no time.  The first step, prior to cooking or prepping, is to allow the crab to thaw in your refrigerator overnight, or for at least 4 hours beforehand.  This step is only required if you purchase frozen legs.  Next, in order to make a savory and delicious meal, consider how you want to prepare your crab, as there are several methods. Also, do keep in mind that the vast majority of crabmeat you pick up at your local grocery store is already precooked, so you really don't have to cook them that long; you just need to reheat it.  Be careful not to overcook the meat, as it will end up flaky and dry.

When cooking frozen meat, place it in a colander or steamer over boiling water. Frozen pieces have usually been precooked.  The pot you use should be filled about a third of the way with water. Once boiling, place a cover over the pot with the pieces in it and let steam for about ten minutes. You can also simply boil them in a pot of water, which has been lightly salted. Fill up a large pot with cold water and bring it to a boil. Add a teaspoon full of salt and any other seasoning of your choice, if you care to.  When the water starts boiling, add the crab legs and reduce the heat to medium. Let simmer for about six minutes.  Drain afterwards and eat with butter sauce.

You can also grill your dinner.  This method of how to cook king crab legs is as simple as the ones above.  All you have to do is light up your grill and prepare the legs by brushing them lightly with olive oil on all sides, so they won't stick. Place them on the hot grill and let them cook for about five minutes per side.

Legs taste excellent when baked. To do so, simply place the legs in a shallow baking pan in one layer.

Place hot water in the pan, about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover with foil and bake for around 10 minutes.

As you probably noted, learning how to cook king crab legs is incredibly simple. It takes a few minutes and you'll have a meal fit for a king.

There are plenty of different ways to prepare Alaskan seafood. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has great recipes to help you create the perfect dish.

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