How To Steam Crab Legs In Instant Pot

Must Try

How Do You Steam Snow Crab Legs In The Oven

Steamed Crab Legs in the Instant Pot
  • Pre-heat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Arrange the thawed snow crab legs in an even layer on the tray. Brush them with melted butter, sprinkle with lemon juice, old bay seasoning, a few pinches lemon pepper.
  • Bake for 5-6 minutes. Serve immediately with butter sauce and lemon wedges.

Instant Pot Steamed Crab Legs

If you have seafood lovers in your family that love Crab legs, you can now easily satisfy their cravings by cooking crab legs at home in the Instant Pot. So easy and so delicious!

These Instant Pot Crab Legs were made while on vacation. My husband and kids love Crab Legs but it can get really expensive ordering them out. So we decided to make them at our condo.

More About Pressure Cooker King Crab Legs Recipes

CRAB LEGS- PRESSURE COOKER – YOUTUBE

FromViews

KING CRAB LEGS | KEEPRECIPES: YOUR UNIVERSAL …

From

HOW TO MAKE CRAB LEGS IN THE PRESSURE COOKER – HOME …

FromEstimated Reading Time

  • Add the crab legs above the liquid. Youre going to have to fold in the legs so they fit in the pot. I did not put anything between the legs and the liquid, they just went straight in. PC for 5 min on high. When complete QR. And I unfolded all the legs when I plated. Yes it is really that simple!
  • Be sure to not miss out on eating the knuckle of the crab. It has a ton of sweetmeat in there, if you can dig it all out. You can see the knuckle in the below picits the white part of a crab cluster.
SHRIMP CRAB BOIL RECIPES IN JUST 10 MINUTES – GADGETS AND …

FromEstimated Reading Time

  • Mix in the 2 tbsp of Old Bay Seasoning and 1 tbsp of New Orleans Style Seafood Seasoning. Mix into the water
  • Layer in the Snow Crabs, you might have to break of some of the claws to make them fit, but make sure you put them in
INSTANT POT CRAB LEGS – THE TASTY TRAVELERS

FromEstimated Reading Time

INSTANT POT CRAB LEGS – FORK TO SPOON

FromEstimated Reading Time

INSTANT POT CRAB LEGS – PRESSURE LUCK COOKING

CategoryCuisineTotal Time

INSTANT POT CRAB LEGS (THAWED, FROZEN SNOW CRAB LEGS …

FromEstimated Reading Time

INSTANT POT KING CRAB LEGS RECIPE FRESH OR FROZEN …

FromEstimated Reading TimeFrom

You May Like: What Is Instant Pot Poultry Mode

What Type Of Crab Legs To Use: The Difference Between Snow Crab And King Crab Legs

Im using snow crab in this recipe, but you can also use king crab. Snow crab legs are sold in clusters and typically by the pound. They are much easier to handle and crack, in comparison to king crab legs, because they have a smooth shell. There are usually at least 4 legs in each cluster. Their flavor is mild and sweet.

King crab legs have a very prickly shell. They are large in size and are typically sold individually in pounds. The meat is a little more delicate and sweeter. They are a lot more expensive than snow crab. .

King crab legs will fit in my 6 quart Instant Pot. Sometimes you may have to break them in half.

Create The Clarified Butter

Crab legs uncooked

Cut the butter into small pads, then add those pieces of butter to a thick-gauged pot. Turn the stove to medium heat to slowly melt the butter. Let the butter come to a low boil, and continue to manage the heat to keep the butter from burning. ” the butter at a low boil until it mostly stops making light popping noises and most, if not all, of the milk solids have boiled off and sunk,” Kamikawa says. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes.

Next, strain the butter through a cheesecloth-lined mesh strainer, then set it aside. Keep the butter warm, and note that if you made more than you need, “it can be kept in a refrigerator for up to one year if all milk solids are evaporated,” according to Kamikawa.

You May Like: Slow Cooker To Instant Pot Conversion

Instant Pot Snow Crab Legs Recipe Fresh Or Frozen

Instant pot snow crab legs frozen. Ready to eat in less than 15 minutes.

In the past, I have baked and steamed crab legs. The results was either dry or soggy, but not very enjoyable. This time I thought Id try them in the pressure cooker. Low and behold, they turned out scrumptious. Not dry or soggy.

Snow crab legs takes only 4 minutes from frozen or 3 minutes fresh or defrosted. Where as King Crab legs recipe takes 5 8 minutes depending on if they are frozen or defrosted.

Instant pot Snow crab legs fresh, frozen or defrosted. Never soggy or dry.

Give these a try and let me know !

Instant Pot Live Dungeness Crab

Instructions. Pour the broth into the Instant Pot followed by the Zatarains and stir until combined. Add in the trivet and rest crab legs on it, maneuvering them so the lid can shut. Secure the lid and hit Pressure Cook or Manual High Pressure for 2 minutes if thawed .

A few Dungeness fishermen had their pots re-webbed with Spectra mesh at DGW last year and came back with good reports. If youre interested in buying some new gear, give Lance a call to talk about the 3 triggered Neptune pot. Were also working with Lance to build a prototype 42 square Dungeness pot with Neptune Triggers on 3 of the sides.

Pour a minimum of 1 cup of liquid into the bottom of the pot , insert the Instant Pot steamer basket and fill with your crabs, lobster, mussels, clams or shrimp. If you are planning on serving an assortment of seafood, be sure to cook each separately, as the cooking times will vary for each.

Crab cakes are always good, just don’t dilute your good crab meat with too much buttery breadcrumby stuff. 3) If you’ve got the freezer space, tuck the shell pieces away for seafood stock. A pot full of fish trimmings, crab and shrimp shells, hopefully with a bit of meat stuck to the insides, will make a great base for seafood chowders.

Combine broth and water in a sauce- pan . Keep warm over low heat. Step 2 Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.

You May Like: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn

How To Steam Crab Legs

Here’s an easy and quick way to steam crab legs on the stove top.

Instructions: Place a trivet on the bottom of a large soup pot, stack crab legs on the trivet and add one cup of water. Turn the stove burner on to medium-high heat and steam for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through. It may take less time, so don’t overcook them. Transfer crab to a serving platter and serve with garlic butter and lemon wedges.

Ingredients Instant Pot Crab Claws

Instant Pot Crab Legs

Find the Ingredients with actual measurements at the bottom of the post. The list below is just a reference.

  • Crab Legs: We used wild caught snow crab clusters.
  • Chicken Stock: Better than Bouillon works amazing when diluted in warm or hot water. We have been using this crazing good stuff and quit using the regular packaged stock!
  • Butter: Find the Butter sauce recipe at the bottom of the post.
  • Seasonings: Old Bay, Lemon Pepper, ground black pepper. Lemon pepper infuses the snow crab legs with a huge depth of flavor & subtle sweet fragrance. If you can find shrimp boil in the store use it. Its good stuff! We dont get it in our area.

Also Check: How To Cook Pre Cooked Ribs In The Oven

What Is Old Bay Seasoning And Should I Use It

This is definitely a taste thing. Personally, I love Old Bay! Its a classic seasoning native to Maryland that is a little smoky, salty, and peppery. For many of us, seafood just isnt right without it!

I love to just sprinkle in a pinch on top of the crab legs before I close my Instant Pot, but its not necessary at all.

Butter with a little fresh lemon juice is usually the most popular way to season your steamed crab legs.

Tips For This Recipe:

1.Adjust the garlic and seasoning to your liking. This recipe creates a mild flavor. If you are looking for more of a cajun experience then double or triple the seasoning and garlic.

2.Keep the cooking liquid until you have finished eating. I found myself dipping my crab in the seasoning, garlic, lemon for added flavor.

3.Buy crab crackers and splitters. I bought mine on Amazon and they are a life saver.

4.Eat the knuckle meat. Ok, so Ill be the first to admit that the legs are the best part and the knuckle often gets left until there are no more legs. Dont forget about the knuckle. There is so much crab meat in their, its crazy. I have started pulling the knuckle meat out and putting it in the butter to hang out until I have finished the legs.

5.Be sure to take the trash out after dinner. If you leave the crab leg scraps in the trash overnight, you will regret it. The smell.its not good the next day!

You May Like: Is Instant Pot Lid Dishwasher Safe

Instant Pot Crab Legs Recipe

Crab meat is one of those seafood delicacies that’s hard to cook properly and best left to professional restaurant chefs, right? Well, that’s not exactly true. Even though it may not be as common and familiar as chicken or a burger, crab meat is actually pretty easy to prepare as long as you have a great recipe to follow. Of course, we have you covered with exactly that.

“This is pretty straightforward,” says chef and recipe developer Keith Kamikawa. As a matter of fact, the hardest part of the whole process is definitely creating the clarified butter, not cooking the crab legs! Your trusty Instant Pot will take care of that for you in a matter of mere minutes.

Once you have the crab cooked and drenched in butter, how should you enjoy this succulent treat, might you ask? “I’m a sucker for sweet corn on the cob, cornbread, a crisp salad with citrus or vinaigrette slaw, and definitely a great chardonnay or your favorite IPA,” says Kamikawa. And no problem at all if you have any crab meat left over, by the way. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, and Kamikawa adds, “It can always be repurposed into crab salad, crab cakes, an awesome bisque, or tons of other awesome recipes.” Yum!

Wait Dont Toss Those Leftover Shells

Learn how to make Crab Legs 4 easy ways  Instant Pot ...

When everyone has had their fill and has licked their fingers clean, dont toss the leftover crab shells.

Use them To make a nourishing crab stock! All the beneficial minerals in the crab shells find their way into the stock! Plus, crab stock is PERFECT for delicious soups like crab and/or lobster bisque!

How does one make Instant Pot Crab Stock? Simple!

Just place all your shell bits and pieces back into the Instant Pot . Add just enough water to cover all the shell pieces.

Close the Instant Pot and seal the vent. Press the Manual button and adjust the time to 60 minutes. As soon as it beeps, you can immediately release the pressure OR let it naturally release. It doesnt matter either way.

Store your crab stock in glass jars in the fridge and use within 3 days. If you dont plan to use it within 3 days, its best to freeze it. Seafood broths, in my experience, dont last as long as beef, pork, or chicken broth.

Read Also: Food Burn On Instant Pot

Instant Pot Snow Crab Legs

Once you try this instant pot wild caught snow crab legs technique youll never be steaming crab legs in any other way ever! Juicy crab meat guaranteed and in just 2-3 mins tops!

Seasoning the broth is the key technique that totally elevates this recipe of snow crab legs in electric pressure cooker. And that lemony butter sauce is super addictive as well.

Why Use The Instant Pot

Its fast. You will have this entire process completed in under 15 minutes. That works great if you are planning to serve this dish for the holidays or for a gathering.

The crab legs are so much easier to crack. This is my favorite way to make crab legs that are extremely easy to crack. The pressure from the pot, along with the steams works wonders. When you remove the crab, you can see how much easier the legs are to navigate and how the inside meat has become tender.

Read Also: How To Convert Slow Cooker Recipe To Instant Pot

What Is Clarified Butter Is It The Same As Ghee

Clarified butter is not the same as ghee. Clarified butter is a delicious yellow-clear fat that remains after youve removed the water and milk solids from butter.

Ghee is the product of clarified butter that has allowed the milk solids to caramelize. Check out my friend Archanas recipe for Instant Pot Ghee if youre interested in making that at home.

Clarified butter is the stuff that you want to dip your crab legs into! It has a delicious, rich flavor that pairs BEAUTIFULLY with those Instant Pot crab legs!

Buying Crab: Frozen King Crab Legs Vs Fresh

Instant Pot Crab Legs – This Dungeness crablegs recipe is cooked in the Pressure Cooker

Alaskan king crab legs are sold in the seafood section either frozen or thawed, and are usually precooked. They’re not typically sold fresh unless you’re at a specialty seafood market. When you buy frozen king crab legs, you can keep them frozen until you’re ready to thaw, reheat, and serve them. If you buy them thawed, you’ll want to enjoy them before the sell-by date.

Read Also: Can Instant Pot Lid Go In Dishwasher

How Do You Cook Crab Legs In A Pressure Cooker

Cooking crab legs in a pressure cooker is really simple. Just add one cup of water to the pot, then add the trivet and arrange your crab legs on top. Its fine to stack them up. Put the lid on, lock it in place, then turn the vent to sealed.

How long you cook the crab legs in your pressure cooker will depend on what kind of crab legs you are using. Snow crab legs cook for 2 minutes, while larger king crab legs cook for 4 minutes. The cooking time will remain the same whether your crab legs are fresh or frozen.

Cooking Crabs Legs Without A Steamer

To cook crab legs without a steamer, you can use a large pot with a colander. You will first have to fill the pot with water, filling it up until it is about of the way full. Then, you can bring the water to the boil on a high heat.

Whilst your water is beginning to boil, you should place your crab legs inside the colander. When the water has reached boiling point, you must place the colander inside the pot, and cover the pot and colander with a lid to create steam.

Leave your crab legs to steam for about 10 minutes this way, checking to see if they are cooked by touching the legs after a few minutes.

Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Country Style Ribs Frozen

Can They Be Refrozen

It is not ideal to refreeze crab legs. When done commercially, they are rapidly frozen which preserves the integrity of the meat. Your home freezer will freeze the meat slowly, which can cause ice crystals to form and degrade the crab meat.

If you do plan on refreezing your crab legs, make sure they were safely thawed in the refrigerator the first time. Crab legs that were thawed by sitting at room temperature or by running under water are not safe to refreeze.

Do You Need To Thaw The Crab Legs First

Instant Pot® Simple Steamed Crab Legs Recipe

These do not need to be thawed before, but you can if you prefer. Most crab legs will always be pre-cooked so basically you are warming them up either on the stove or in the Ninja Foodi.

The best way to thaw these immediately before cooking is to run cold water over them for several minutes. I like to put them in a strainer and just let cold water run over them for about 2-3 minutes.

Once thats done, its time to put them in the pot of the Ninja Foodi.

Don’t Miss: Which Instant Pot Has The Recall

Instant Pot Crab Legs

This easy recipe for Instant Pot Crab Legs shows you the best way to cook crab legs with the most flavor. The instant pot is a great tool for steaming seafood because it keeps the moisture and flavor in the shell. With this method, you can steam crab legs 2-4 minutes using your pressure cooker. You can even cook them straight from frozen!

How To Make Crab Legs In The Instant Pot

Start by placing your metal trivet into the bottom of your Instant Pot

Pour the water into the bottom of the Instant Pot and add the butter and lemon juice

Arrange the crab legs on top of the trivet

Close and lock the lid and make sure the pressure is set to sealing.

Turn on your Instant Pot and set it to High Pressure and set the timer to 3 minutes. Allow 5-10 minutes for pressure to build.

Once the timer goes off, turn off the Instant Pot and either use the quick release if you plan to eat right away or let it natural release then use quick release right before you are ready to eat.

Use tongs to remove the crab legs from the Instant Pot.

You will then have perfectly steamed crab legs made right in the Instant Pot!

Serve the warm crab legs with a side of drawn butter and enjoy!

Recommended Reading: How To Cook Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot

Latest Recipes

More Recipes Like This