Ingredients (Serves 2)
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1–2 lbs crab legs (king or snow crab)
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4 tbsp unsalted butter
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp lemon juice
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1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, adds a smoky note)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
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Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Prepare the crab legs:
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If frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or run under cold water for faster thawing.
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Using kitchen shears, cut along the shell joints to make them easier to crack and eat.
2. Steam or boil the crab legs (optional):
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Steaming: Fill a large pot with 1–2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Place a steamer basket on top and cover. Steam crab legs for 5–7 minutes until heated through.
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Boiling: Boil water in a large pot. Add crab legs and cook for 4–5 minutes. Drain.
3. Make the garlic butter:
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In a small saucepan or skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
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Add minced garlic and cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant (don’t let it burn).
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Stir in lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Combine and serve:
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Brush the garlic butter generously over the crab legs.
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Garnish with fresh parsley.
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Serve immediately with lemon wedges and extra garlic butter for dipping.
💡 Tips for maximum flavor:
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Serve with crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter.
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If you want extra richness, add a splash of white wine to the butter while cooking the garlic.
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For a spicy kick, sprinkle a little cayenne or chili flakes into the butter.
If you want, I can also give you a sheet pan oven method so you can cook garlic butter crab legs without steaming or boiling—they come out juicy and garlicky in about 15 minutes. Do you want me to do that version too?
