Old Bay King Crab Legs

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Level: Easy

Total: 35 min
Active: 15 min

Yield: 2 to 4 servings

The classic seafood seasoning and lemon bring heat and brightness to sweet crab meat. The only way to improve it is with a dunk in drawn butter.

Level: Easy

Total: 35 min
Active: 15 min

Yield: 2 to 4 servings

Ingredients

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3 pounds frozen cooked king crab legs

One 6-ounce box seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay, plus additional as needed

2 lemons

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter

Directions

Put the crab legs in the bottom of a large stockpot, then cover with 4 quarts of water and stir in the seafood seasoning (see Cook's Note). Halve the lemons and squeeze the juice into the pot, then add the rinds. Cover and bring to a boil, then cook over medium-high heat until the crab legs are warmed through, about 5 minutes. Remove the crab legs to a large serving bowl or platter.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until the butter foams and simmers, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and let stand 5 minutes. Using a spoon, remove any milk solids from the surface of the butter, then slowly pour the melted butter into a small serving bowl, leaving any watery, white whey behind in the saucepan. Serve alongside the crab legs.

Cook’s Note

Depending on the size of your stockpot, you may need to add more water to cover the crab legs. If that is the case, add 1/4 cup more seafood seasoning and 1 more lemon for every additional 2 quarts of water.