Baked crab legs in butter sauce? That’s pure decadence right there! The natural sweetness of the crab paired with a rich, garlicky butter sauce — it’s like a mini feast. Here’s how you can make it at home with minimal effort but all the flavor.
Baked Crab Legs in Butter Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2–3 pounds of crab legs (king crab or snow crab, thawed if frozen)
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (optional for extra flavor)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Crab Legs:
- If you have king crab legs, you may want to score them with kitchen shears or a sharp knife to make it easier to pull the meat out after baking.
- Place the crab legs on the prepared baking sheet.
- Make the Butter Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1–2 minutes until fragrant (be careful not to burn the garlic).
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, Old Bay seasoning (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Coat the Crab Legs:
- Drizzle the prepared butter sauce over the crab legs, making sure to coat them generously.
- If you prefer extra flavor, you can use a brush to baste the crab legs more thoroughly.
- Bake the Crab Legs:
- Cover the crab legs loosely with foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until heated through and fragrant.
- For extra crispy edges, you can remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Serve:
- Remove from the oven, give the crab legs another drizzle of butter sauce, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
- You can also garnish with more fresh parsley if you like.
💡 Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with some crusty bread to dip into that delicious garlic butter sauce.
- A side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad complements the richness of the crab legs.
This recipe is easy, but it feels special — perfect for a date night or a weekend seafood feast. Would you like any other side dish ideas to go with it?
