If you’re craving a luxurious yet breezy seafood dinner, Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs are the answer to all your cravings. There’s nothing quite like restaurant-worthy crab legs slathered in garlicky melted butter and kissed with a splash of lemon, fresh parsley, and a gentle hint of Old Bay. Every bite is juicy and flavorful, and the best part? This show-stopping feast comes together in about half an hour, making it both impressive and totally weeknight-friendly. The Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs recipe will soon become your go-to for cozy nights in, date nights, or anytime you want to turn an ordinary meal into something truly memorable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its simple, honest ingredients—each one pulling its weight to deliver maximum flavor, gorgeous color, and just-right texture. Here’s what you’ll need for the most mouthwatering Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs:
- Crab legs: King or snow crab, thawed if frozen, are the star—choose big, meaty clusters for ultimate satisfaction.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter acts as the rich base for all the garlicky goodness.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds potent aroma and depth—don’t skimp!
- Lemon juice: A squeeze of fresh juice brightens up every bite and balances the butter.
- Lemon zest: For an extra pop of citrus fragrance, zest makes all the difference.
- Old Bay seasoning (optional): Classic seafood spice for that familiar, irresistible zing.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped parsley not only looks beautiful but also gives a fresh herby lift.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for rounding out and amplifying every flavor.
- Lemon wedges: For serving, add as many as you like—extra acidity cuts the richness perfectly.
How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish
Start by heating your oven to 375°F—this is the sweet spot for warming the crab legs through without drying them out. Grab your largest baking dish or line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Arrange the crab legs in a single layer, so the garlicky butter can easily reach every nook and cranny.
Step 2: Mix Up the Garlic Butter Magic
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Old Bay (if you love that classic Chesapeake flair), plus a pinch each of salt and pepper. Give it a good stir—the aroma alone will have your mouth watering!
Step 3: Generously Brush and Coat
Using a pastry brush or spoon, generously drizzle and brush all the garlic butter mixture over the crab legs. Make sure you coat every surface. This isn’t the time for restraint; the more flavor, the better. If there’s extra butter left, save it—you’ll want it for dipping!
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to lock in all that buttery steam. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, just until the crab is heated through and the kitchen smells absolutely divine. If you’re after a slightly crispy top, feel free to switch the oven to broil for 2-3 minutes after baking—just keep an eye out to avoid overcooking.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Remove from the oven, carefully discard the foil, and shower the crab legs with plenty of chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and any remaining garlic butter on the side for dipping. Gather your napkins and dig in!
How to Serve Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs
Garnishes
Garnishing might seem like a tiny step, but it absolutely elevates your platter. Sprinkle the hot crab legs with fresh parsley for a burst of green and a hint of garden-fresh flavor. A generous squeeze of lemon over the top just before serving brightens the whole dish and tempers the richness of the butter. If you’re feeling extra, a pinch of flaky sea salt adds a lovely little crunch.
Side Dishes
The rich, savory flavors of Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs beg for simple, refreshing sides. Steamed asparagus, a big green salad, or roasted baby potatoes all work beautifully. A warm crusty baguette is practically required—perfect for mopping up every drop of that garlicky butter sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress, pile the crab legs high on a large platter over a bed of parsley and lemon slices for bold color. Serve in individual parchment packets for a bit of drama and easy cleanup, or heap them into a cast iron skillet straight from the oven for a rustic, homey touch. Set out crab crackers, tiny forks, and extra dipping butter so everyone can enjoy some hands-on fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (not likely, but miracles do happen), let the Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Be sure to keep any extra garlic butter separate in a small dish to reheat later.
Freezing
Crab legs can be frozen after baking, though the texture is best right out of the oven. Wrap the cooled crab legs tightly in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. Store for up to 2 months. For maximum freshness, it’s a good idea to press out as much air as possible before freezing.
Reheating
To reheat, place the crab legs in a baking dish, splash with a little extra water or reserved garlic butter, and cover with foil. Warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until steaming hot. If you’re in a hurry, you can also gently steam them on the stovetop. Avoid microwaving, which can make the meat rubbery and tough.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked crab legs?
Absolutely! Most crab legs you buy at the store are already cooked and simply need to be reheated. This Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs recipe is perfect for delivering fresh flavor to pre-cooked legs without drying them out.
Do I have to use Old Bay seasoning?
Not at all—Old Bay is optional, but it’s a fantastic way to add a little zesty, nostalgic seafood flavor. If you don’t have it or prefer to skip, the recipe will still deliver plenty of garlicky, buttery goodness.
Can I prepare Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs ahead of time?
You can make the garlic butter mixture a few hours ahead and store it in the fridge. The crab legs themselves are best baked right before serving for ultimate freshness and tenderness.
What’s the best way to crack and eat crab legs?
Use crab crackers or kitchen shears to open the shells, then use a seafood pick or small fork to gently extract the meat. Dip every bite in the reserved garlic butter for maximum satisfaction!
Can I use different types of crab?
Of course! While king and snow crab are both fantastic, feel free to use any crab you love—just adjust the baking time slightly for smaller or larger legs to ensure even heating.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to delight your loved ones with something truly special yet ridiculously simple, give Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs a whirl. There’s really nothing quite like this crispy, buttery, garlicky seafood treat—one bite and you’ll be hooked! Hope your next dinner is overflowing with flavor, fun, and plenty of buttery napkin moments.
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Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of garlic butter baked crab legs with this easy and delicious recipe. Perfect for a special dinner or a weekend treat!
Ingredients
Crab Legs:
- 2 pounds crab legs (king or snow), thawed if frozen
Garlic Butter Mixture:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Serving:
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Prepare crab legs: Arrange the crab legs in a single layer in a large baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil.
- Make garlic butter: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Coat crab legs: Brush the garlic butter mixture over the crab legs, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Bake: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20–25 minutes until heated through.
- Finish and serve: Remove foil, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot with lemon wedges and extra garlic butter.
Notes
- You can broil the crab legs for a crispy top after baking.
- Pre-cut crab leg clusters make serving and eating easier.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ pound
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
