Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce is a sumptuous seafood dish, perfect for those special occasions or when you want to treat yourself to a luxurious meal. The recipe primarily features king crab legs, known for their rich, sweet meat, which are the star of the dish. These crab legs are typically pre-cooked and frozen, making them convenient for home cooks.
The process begins by thawing the crab legs, if necessary, and then preparing the butter sauce, which is integral to the dish. This sauce usually combines melted butter with a blend of flavors such as minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, and sometimes a hint of spice from crushed red pepper or cayenne. Some variations may include other herbs like dill or tarragon, or even a splash of white wine for an added depth of flavor.
Once the sauce is prepared, the crab legs are arranged in a baking dish. A unique aspect of this recipe is that the crab legs are often slit open slightly to allow the butter sauce to penetrate into the meat, ensuring that every bite is flavorful and moist. The crab is then generously brushed or spooned with the butter sauce, covering all the nooks and crannies of the crab legs.
The baking process is typically short, just enough to heat the crab through and infuse it with the flavors of the butter sauce. The high temperature of the oven also helps to intensify the flavors, creating a slightly caramelized exterior on the sauce while keeping the crab meat tender and juicy inside.
Serving Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce is often a hands-on dining experience. It’s common to provide tools such as crab crackers and small forks to help diners extract the meat from the shells. The dish is usually accompanied by additional lemon wedges and extra butter sauce for dipping, enhancing the luxuriousness of each bite.
Side dishes tend to be simple, as the crab is the highlight of the meal. Options like a light salad, steamed vegetables, or a loaf of crusty bread are popular, as they complement the richness of the crab without overpowering it.
In summary, Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce is a decadent, flavorful seafood dish that combines the sweet tenderness of crab with a rich, aromatic butter sauce. It’s a dish that’s both indulgent and satisfying, perfect for special occasions or when you want a touch of gourmet luxury in your meal.
Ingredients:
1 lb (453.59g) king crab legs
4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon garlic)
1-2 teaspoons (4g-8g) Creole seasoning
½ tablespoon (7.5ml) lemon juice
1 tablespoon (3g) chopped chives or parsley
lemon wedges to serve
Preparation:
Thaw crabs legs in the refrigerator overnight or for faster results place crabs under cold running water
for a few minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 F.
When ready to cook, cut the crab legs into half so the flesh of the crab is visible.
Skip the knife and use kitchen shears or scissors to do so. You’ll thank me later.
Place crab legs in an oven-safe pan or on a baking sheet.
Add butter, garlic, Creole seasoning in a small bowl.
Microwave for about a minute. Remove and add lemon juice. Mix well.
Brush crab with butter mixture all over the crab legs – reserve any excess for serving.
Place the crab legs in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes, or until the crab legs are heated through. Sprinkle with parsley or chives.
Serve immediately with the remaining sauce and/or lemon wedges for squeezing over meat.
Recipe Notes:
One of the great things about this recipe, you are not trying to cut open hot crab legs with scissors, the prep is done before they are heated.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Enjoy !