Description
Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs are a simple yet indulgent seafood dish featuring succulent crab legs coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, baked to perfection in the oven. This recipe combines the bright flavors of lemon and fresh herbs with the warmth of garlic and butter, making it an ideal main course for a special dinner or a quick, elegant meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Crab Legs
- 2 pounds crab legs (king or snow), thawed if frozen
Garlic 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 (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F. This temperature will allow the crab legs to heat evenly and the garlic butter flavors to meld without drying out the seafood.
- Arrange Crab Legs: Place the crab legs in a single layer in a large baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. This setup helps with easy cleanup and even cooking.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, Old Bay seasoning (if using), and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir well to combine all flavors.
- Coat Crab Legs: Generously brush the garlic butter mixture over the crab legs, making sure all sides are coated thoroughly to infuse the meat with flavor.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam, then bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the crab legs are heated through and fragrant with garlic butter.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven, carefully discard the foil, and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the crab legs. Serve hot with lemon wedges and extra garlic butter on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For a slightly crispy top, broil the crab legs for 2–3 minutes after baking.
- Using pre-cut crab leg clusters makes serving and eating easier.
