How To Steam Crab Legs

Skip the crowded all-you-can-eat crab legs buffet and make steamed crab legs at home, in under 15 minutes. Pair your perfectly steamed legs with lemon wedges, rich garlic butter dipping sauce, or a bold Cajun dipping sauce for a restaurant-quality meal.

Whether you steam crab legs, bake crab legs, or grill crab legs, these methods all bring out their naturally sweet, tender meat—making them perfect for a simple yet satisfying seafood dinner.

Steamed Crab Legs

As you can see in the above photo, I’m using the same budget-friendly steamer basket I often use for my Instant Pot recipes—I like getting the most out of my kitchen tools by using them in different ways.

If you don’t have a steamer basket or strainer insert, use a colander that fits inside your large pot. Ideally, the lid can close snugly.

If the lid doesn’t seal perfectly, you can use aluminum foil to help trap the steam. Be cautious when peeling back the foil, as the steam can be extremely hot.

Seasoning Options

There are a few easy ways to add extra flavor to steamed crab legs. If you’re going for a Cajun vibe, consider using Cajun seasoning, such as Old Bay Seasoning, as a classic choice. Otherwise, a good shake of salt and pepper does the trick.

And if you’re serving them with a tasty dipping sauce, you don’t need much else—they’ll be full of flavor as is. 

Crab Leg Sauce

Hands down, there are two juicy crab sauce recipes we prefer when making snow crab clusters:

Serving Tips

• Use a crab cracker, nutcracker, mallet, or even sharp kitchen shears to open the shells—avoid using a knife for safety.
• Toss leftover crab meat into rich dishes like Kani Salad or Lobster Ravioli. Here’s a list of over 20 crab recipes that can also utilize leftover crab meat. 
• Serving tip: Plan for about 12 oz. of Alaskan King Crab Legs or 16 oz. of Snow Crab Legs per person.

More Seafood Recipes

Here are a few more popular seafood recipes to check out: