Instructions
Preparing the Crab Legs
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures a nice, gentle cooking environment for the crab legs to heat through without drying out.
- Prepare the Crab Legs: If your crab legs are too large to fit into your baking dish, you may need to cut them into smaller, more manageable pieces. Use kitchen shears to cut the crab legs at the joints. This will also make them easier to eat once served.
Making the Butter Sauce
- Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t brown or burn.
- Add Flavorings: Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic to the pan. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes or until it’s fragrant but not browned. Then, stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional minute to let the flavors meld.
Baking the Crab Legs
- Arrange Crab Legs: Place the crab legs in a single layer in a large baking dish. If they have been pre-cooked (as most frozen crab legs are), you’re essentially reheating them and allowing them to soak up the butter sauce.
- Pour Butter Sauce: Pour the prepared butter sauce evenly over the crab legs, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the crab legs are heated through. The exact time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the crab legs.
- Serving: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven (it will be hot!). Serve the crab legs immediately with additional lemon wedges on the side. You can also provide extra bowls for the butter sauce and tools to crack the crab legs if needed.
Tips
- Buying Crab Legs: When purchasing crab legs, they are often sold pre-cooked and frozen. Thaw them in your refrigerator overnight before cooking to ensure they heat evenly.
- Serving Suggestions: Baked crab legs in butter sauce pair wonderfully with simple sides that don’t overshadow the main dish. Consider serving them with steamed vegetables, a light salad, or some crusty bread to soak up the delicious butter sauce.
- Storing Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 2 days for the best quality. Reheat gently to avoid drying out the crab meat.
Enjoy your luxurious baked crab legs in butter sauce, a dish sure to impress your guests or treat yourself to a special seafood feast!
