Knowing how to thaw crab legs ensures that you’ll be able to enjoy all of the quality that sweet Alaskan crab has to offer, without losing an ounce of flavor in the process.
Snap-and-Eat Dungeness Crab Legs and Red King Crab from Wild Alaskan Company are preserved with an ice glaze at the peak of freshness. They're frozen as individual pieces, which makes it easy for you to defrost any size portion that you like, whether a little or a lot. Simply set aside the desired portion of crab for defrosting, then return the remaining portion to the freezer for another day.
Here are two different step-by-step defrosting methods that you’ll want to know:
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The Standard Way (10 to 12 hours)
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The Quick Way (less than an hour)
Note: If you want to know how to defrost crab legs quickly without having to wait, try cooking them from frozen. Simply steam crab legs in a pan with a little bit of added water until they’re warmed through, then enjoy with your favorite crab dipping sauces.
The Standard Way to Thaw Crab Legs
Time needed: 10-12 hours, or until defrosted through
Defrosting crab legs overnight in the refrigerator is the best way to preserve the integrity of the crab. This is also the safest way to thaw crab, since it gradually defrosts in controlled, cool temperatures that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.
Remove desired portion of crab from packaging.
Nest a colander over a bowl or deep-sided dish. Place crab in colander. Bowl/dish will catch any melted ice glaze.
Place this on a low shelf in the refrigerator (typically the coldest spot in the refrigerator).
Once crab has thawed — this will usually take 10-12 hours — you have the option to give it a quick rinse to remove any remaining ice glaze. Otherwise, prepare as desired. We recommend enjoying your seafood within a day or two of being defrosted for best quality.
The Quick Thaw Way to Defrost Crab Legs
Time needed: Less than an hour
For those days when you don’t have enough time to thaw shellfish the standard way, you can use a safe and quick thaw technique that will have you cooking in under an hour — even as little as half an hour, depending on the size of the crab legs.
SAFETY NOTE: Keep in mind, for food safety’s sake, you’ll only want to do a quick thaw if you’re planning on enjoying your seafood promptly after thawing.
Remove desired portion of crab from its packaging.
Then, place it in a separate, resealable bag that can be sealed tightly.
Next, fill a bowl with cool water. The bowl should be large enough to hold all of the seafood you’ll be defrosting, and the water should be cool to the touch. Do not use warm water for food safety reasons.
Put the resealable bag of seafood into the bowl of cool water, keeping it submerged with something weighty. At the 20- or 30-minute mark, change out the water in the bowl, refilling with cool water, making sure that everything is still submerged.
Once the crab has thawed, you can give it a quick rinse it to remove any remaining ice glaze (optional). Prepare as desired.
Be sure to stock your kitchen with sustainably-caught fish and shellfish by sourcing your seafood online from Wild Alaskan Company. You’ll get high-quality, wild-caught seafood delivered straight to your doorstep. Choose your fish subscription box today.
