Steaming crab is the ideal way to reheat wild-caught Alaskan snow crab to serve it with a dip or prepare the meat for dishes like crab risotto or crab cakes. It's quick to do and is the easiest way to preserve the moist, tender texture of crab meat. Unlike boiled snow crab, steamed snow crab retains more of its own juices and flavors.
Note: Most frozen crab products come pre-cooked. Cooking the crab before freezing it is the best way to preserve the quality of the meat. Snap-and-Eat Snow Crab is ready to heat and eat, and scored for easy eating.
Should You Thaw Frozen Crab Legs Before Steaming?
It's up to you. You can either thaw frozen snow crab legs before steaming them, or steam snow crab legs from frozen. Because of their size, snow crab legs can be steamed from frozen efficiently while retaining the quality of the meat.
If steaming frozen crab legs, rinse off any thicker areas of ice glaze under cold, running water. This will help ensure even heating.
How Long to Steam Snow Crab
Snow crab that is still frozen takes slightly longer to steam than snow crab that has been thawed. Either way, it takes 10 minutes or less to steam snow crab:
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Steaming snow crab from frozen: about 10 minutes
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Steaming thawed snow crab: about 5 minutes
How to Steam Frozen or Thawed Crab Legs
Gather your materials: Crab (frozen or thawed); a steamer basket that fits in a lidded pot, or a wide lidded pot or pan; lemon slices
If using a steamer basket, fill a pot with an inch of water, then add a few lemon slices. Cover with lid, then bring water to a simmer over medium heat until steaming.
Once pot is steaming, add crab and cover with lid. Continue to steam over medium heat for 5 minutes if using defrosted crab; 10 minutes if using frozen crab.
If not using a steamer basket, simply cover the bottom of a wide pot or pan with about ¼ inch of water and add a few lemon slices. Cover with lid and bring to a simmer over medium heat until steaming. Then, add crab and cover with lid. Continue to steam over medium heat for 5 minutes if using defrosted crab; 10 minutes if using frozen crab.
Enjoy while still hot, alongside your favorite dipping sauces.
