Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce

Step 2: Prepare the Crab Legs

• If your crab legs are frozen, rinse them under cold water to remove ice crystals.
• Using kitchen shears, cut along the shell’s length where the meat is accessible. This step is optional but makes serving easier.
• Pat the crab legs dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Step 3: Make the Butter Sauce

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
3. Stir in lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Allow the flavors to blend for another minute, then remove from heat.

Tip: For extra richness, you can add a splash of white wine or a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.

Step 4: Arrange Crab Legs

• Place the crab legs in a single layer in a baking dish.
• Pour the prepared butter sauce generously over the crab legs, ensuring all pieces are coated.

Step 5: Bake

• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to trap steam and prevent the crab from drying out.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes. Crab legs are usually pre-cooked, so your goal is to heat them through and infuse them with buttery flavor.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• Remove the crab legs from the oven and drizzle any remaining butter sauce from the pan over them.
• Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for color and freshness.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing over the crab.

Tips for the Perfect Crab Legs

1. Don’t overcook: Pre-cooked crab legs only need to be heated. Overcooking can make the meat rubbery.
2. Butter matters: Use good quality unsalted butter. It melts beautifully and enhances the crab’s natural sweetness.
3. Optional extras: For a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the butter sauce.
4. Serving sides: Garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad pair wonderfully with this dish.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of butter, garlic, and lemon elevates the delicate sweetness of crab meat. Baking ensures the crab is evenly heated and infused with flavor without losing moisture. It’s a foolproof method for both casual dinners and festive seafood feasts.

Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce is not just a meal; it’s an experience. The aroma of garlic butter, the vibrant presentation with parsley, and the rich, succulent crab meat make every bite memorable. Once you try this method, it will quickly become a staple for seafood nights.

If you want, I can also create a quick, 5-minute garlic butter dipping sauce variation that makes this dish taste even more restaurant-worthy. It pairs perfectly with the crab legs. Do you want me to include that?