How Do You Cook Crab Legs on the Stove?

Live crab

For people who have little experience cooking seafood and shellfish, the thought of cooking crab legs may be a bit intimidating. Luckily, cooking crab legs on the stove doesn't require any special skill or equipment. Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen. Crab legs can be purchased fresh in some markets, but in most cases are bought frozen from the freezer case at the store.

Things You'll Need

• Large 8-qt. stockpot
• Water
• Shrimp and crab boil seasoning
• Kitchen tongs

Instructions

1. Thaw the crab legs in the refrigerator overnight if they were purchased frozen.

2. Fill a large stockpot half full of water. Add shrimp and crab boil seasonings according to the directions on the back of the package.

3. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

4. Place the crab legs in the boiling water and allow the water to return to a boil.

5. Remove the crab legs from the water when the shells of the legs have turned bright red. The visible flesh in the shells should be milky white. This will take four to five minutes after the water boils the second time.

Tips & Warnings

• Fresh crab legs should be eaten as soon as possible after purchase. Store fresh crab legs in the refrigerator for up to five days.

• Frozen crab legs can be kept in the freezer for up to 12 months but should be eaten in one to two days after thawing.

• Crab legs can also be cooked in a steamer on the stovetop. Place the thawed crabs in the steamer basket and steam for 10 to 15 minutes or until the flesh is white and the shell is bright red.

References

• FightBac.org: The Food Keeper Brochure (PDF)
• USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Cooking for Groups (PDF)