Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping seafood recipe that’s equal parts luxurious and approachable, Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce is it! This dish brings delicate, sweet crab meat together with a golden blend of butter, garlic, and fresh lemon, all baked to perfection in your oven. The best part? The whole experience feels indulgent, but only takes half an hour to bring to your table. Whether you’re serving guests or just treating yourself, you’ll love every buttery, finger-licking bite of these crab legs in their luscious sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering just a handful of ingredients is all it takes to let the incredible flavor of fresh crab shine. Each item below plays its part, contributing either flavor, richness, color, or that irresistible finishing touch to your Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce.
- Crab legs (2 lbs, king or snow): Sweet, meaty, and tender, these are the star of the show—thawed if frozen for even cooking.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): Adds richness and a luxurious mouthfeel to every bite.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Brings warmth and aromatic depth to the butter sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Brightens the dish and balances the richness of the butter.
- Lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Lends a punch of citrus oil that perfumes each bite.
- Old Bay seasoning (1 teaspoon): Classic seafood flavoring that gives the dish its signature taste; feel free to swap in your favorite seafood seasoning.
- Paprika (½ teaspoon): Adds subtle warmth and gorgeous color.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (¼ teaspoon, optional): A hint of heat for those who like a little kick.
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): Brings a fresh, herbal pop of green as a final flourish.
- Lemon wedges: Perfect for squeezing over before serving for a final touch of zest.
How to Make Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce
Step 1: Preheat and Arrange
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven warms up, arrange your crab legs in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Laying them out evenly ensures that every piece gets a good soak of that buttery sauce and cooks through perfectly. If you’re looking for even more flavor, take an extra minute to split the legs lengthwise so the sauce can mingle directly with the meat.
Step 2: Make the Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together your melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, and those optional crushed red pepper flakes. This fragrant butter sauce comes together in just a couple of minutes, but it’s truly the heart of Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce. The aroma alone will have everyone peeking into the kitchen!
Step 3: Brush and Bake
Now, generously brush or spoon the butter mixture all over your crab legs, making sure to reserve a few tablespoons for later. Cover the baking sheet tightly with foil—this steamy wrap helps the flavors seep into every nook and cranny. Bake for about 20 minutes, until your kitchen smells glorious and the crab is hot and all the flavors have had a chance to merge.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Carefully remove the foil (watch out for that burst of steam!) and give the crab legs a final lavish brush with the reserved butter sauce. Sprinkle everything with a shower of chopped parsley for freshness and color. Serve your Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce hot, with lemon wedges and extra melted butter on the side for dipping.
How to Serve Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce
Garnishes
Sprinkle plenty of fresh parsley over the top for a burst of herbal brightness. Lemon wedges are a must—let everyone squeeze their own for a juicy, aromatic hit that wakes up the whole dish. You can even add a dusting of extra Old Bay or some cracked black pepper for a finishing touch that pops.
Side Dishes
Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce pair wonderfully with all sorts of sides. Try classic options like buttery corn on the cob or roasted potatoes, or go for a crisp green salad or some garlic bread to help mop up every last drop of that delicious sauce. A simple coleslaw or even steamed asparagus works beautifully too—keep it easy so the crab legs stay center stage.
Creative Ways to Present
For a real restaurant-at-home vibe, arrange the crab legs in a family-style platter, spooning the extra butter sauce over the top and scattering with parsley. If you’re entertaining, serve each guest their own parchment-lined tray for a fun, shell-cracking experience. Or, pile the legs high atop a bed of lemon slices for an elegant, sunshine-bright look that captures attention right away.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce (lucky you!), cool them quickly, then transfer the legs and any leftover butter sauce to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly and enjoy within 2 days for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
Freezing is possible, although the texture of crab can change slightly once thawed. If you need to freeze, wrap the crab legs well in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently so they don’t dry out.
Reheating
To reheat, arrange crab legs in a baking dish and spoon any reserved butter sauce over the top. Cover with foil and warm in a preheated 325°F (160°C) oven for about 10–12 minutes, or just until heated through. Keep an eye out—overheating can toughen the crab easily. Add extra melted butter if you need a little extra moisture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen crab legs for Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or under cold running water before starting, so they bake evenly and soak up that delicious butter sauce.
What’s the best way to split the crab legs before baking?
Use sturdy kitchen shears to carefully cut lengthwise along the shell. This lets the butter sauce seep right into the meat and makes the legs easier to eat at the table.
Are king crab legs or snow crab legs better for this recipe?
Both work beautifully in Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce. King crab is meatier and a bit richer, while snow crab is sweet and delicate. Choose what you love, or what’s available near you.
Can I make Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce a bit spicier?
Definitely! Up the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne for more heat. You could also serve with a spicy dipping sauce alongside the lemon wedges.
What can I do if I don’t have Old Bay seasoning?
You can use any seafood or Cajun seasoning blend you like, or mix your own with celery salt, paprika, garlic powder, and a touch of cayenne for a homemade twist.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving an impressive seafood dinner that’s as simple as it is stunning, make Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce your new go-to. It’s the perfect blend of flavor and ease, sure to be the star of any special meal or weeknight treat. Go ahead, roll up your sleeves and enjoy—once you taste that buttery, garlicky goodness, you’ll know exactly why this dish is so beloved!
Print
Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the succulent flavors of tender crab legs baked to perfection in a savory garlic butter sauce. This easy-to-make dish is a delightful seafood treat that’s sure to impress your dinner guests.
Ingredients
Crab Legs:
- 2 lbs crab legs (king or snow), thawed if frozen
Butter Sauce:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or seafood seasoning)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Crab Legs: Arrange crab legs on a baking sheet.
- Make Butter Sauce: Mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, zest, seasonings. Brush over crab legs.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Uncover, brush with remaining sauce, sprinkle parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- For extra flavor, split crab legs lengthwise before baking to allow the sauce to soak in.
- Works with pre-cooked or raw crab legs — adjust bake time if raw.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about ½ lb crab legs with butter sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 1040 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
