How to Cook Colossal King Crab Legs at Home

How-to · 2026-06-12

Colossal king crab legs are the easiest showstopper you'll ever make, because they come already cooked. Your only job is to warm them through without drying them out. Here's how to do it right.

How much king crab to buy

Plan on about 1 to 1½ pounds of king crab legs per person as a main course, a little less if you're serving other proteins or lots of sides. King crab legs are sold by the pound at Caplinger's markets; for a party, call a day ahead and we'll have a big order on ice for you.

Step by step: steaming (the best method)

1. Bring an inch of water to a boil in a large pot with a steamer basket or rack.
2. Add the king crab legs (bend them at the joint to fit if needed).
3. Cover and steam for 5–7 minutes, just until heated through and fragrant.
4. Serve with melted butter, lemon, and crackers for the shells.

Oven method

No steamer? Lay the legs on a baking sheet, add a splash of water, cover tightly with foil, and bake at 400°F for 8–10 minutes. Because the crab is already cooked, you're only warming it, don't overdo it or the meat turns tough.

Serving it

Melted butter with a squeeze of lemon is all you need, but a little Old Bay or garlic butter is never wrong. Have kitchen shears and a cracker on the table. Want it even easier? Caplinger's kitchens will steam and crack them for you, just ask.