Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce
Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce combine sweet, tender crab meat with a rich, garlicky butter glaze for an elegant yet easy-to-make seafood dish. Baked until warmed through and lightly infused with the sauce, these crab legs are perfect for special occasions, holiday dinners, or a decadent weeknight treat. You can easily adjust the garlic or seasonings to suit your taste without losing the dish’s luxurious character.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Small saucepan
- Basting brush
- Kitchen shears (for cutting crab legs, if needed)
- Serving tongs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds crab legs (king crab or snow crab)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Directions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Make the butter sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in lemon juice, Old Bay (if using), paprika, and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the crab legs. If not pre-cut, use kitchen shears to split shells along their length to make the meat easier to access. Arrange crab legs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Coat with sauce. Using a basting brush, generously coat each crab leg with the butter sauce, making sure some garlic and seasoning adhere to the shells.
- Bake. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until heated through and the butter sauce is bubbling. If using frozen crab legs, allow a few extra minutes until thoroughly hot.
- Garnish and serve. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve with lemon wedges for a bright finish. Pair with a crisp salad and crusty bread to soak up the butter sauce.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
25 minutes
Total Time:
40 minutes
Nutrition (per serving, based on 4 servings):
- Calories: 310
- Total Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 30g
This baked crab legs recipe is both impressive and approachable. The natural sweetness of the crab pairs beautifully with the buttery, lemony sauce, making each bite rich and satisfying. Serve it as the centerpiece of a celebratory meal or enjoy it as a luxurious weeknight dinner.
Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce
A simple, elegant recipe pairing sweet crab meat with a garlicky butter sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds crab legs (king crab or snow crab)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Small saucepan
- Basting brush
- Kitchen shears
- Serving tongs
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice, Old Bay (optional), paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
- If necessary, use kitchen shears to cut the shells lengthwise for easier eating. Arrange crab legs on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the crab legs generously with the butter sauce, making sure to coat each piece.
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until heated through and the sauce is bubbling. Increase time slightly for frozen legs until fully warmed.
- Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.