Instant Pot Crab Legs
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Making crab legs in your Instant Pot is as easy as can be! Frozen snow crab legs come out perfectly tender and absolutely delicious, and it only takes a few simple ingredients in under 20 minutes!
Why This Recipe is a Favorite
Cooking crab legs has never been easier! When you steam snow crab in the Instant Pot, it comes out perfectly moist and tender, and full of delicious flavor! Add some Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and fresh garlic and the flavor is out of this world delicious.
Steaming is better than boiling, because it keeps the flavor of the crab meat while infusing it with the flavor of the lemon, garlic, and seasoning, plus it keeps the crab meat moist and tender.
With a quick cook time of 20 minutes (including pressure release time), you can have a seafood feast that the entire family will enjoy!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
These came out perfectly, moist and flavorful, much prefer this to steaming them like I usually do.
–Suzy
If you’re a seafood lover like me, you should check out my recipe for baked clams oreganata, too!
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my important mom-tested cooking tips for steaming crab legs in the Instant Pot. I’ve made this countless times to save you from a failed attempt.
- The amount of crabs that will fit depends on the size of your Instant Pot. An 8 qt. Instant Pot will fit approximately 2.5-3 pounds of snow crab legs (7-8 clusters), while a 6 qt. Instant Pot will fit approximately 2 pounds of crab legs (about 5-6 clusters).
- Snow crabs can be a little pricey. I recommend that you stock up on snow crab legs when they’re on sale, then store in the freezer until you’re ready to cook them.
- Make sure you clean the lemons well and fully peel the garlic before adding them to the Instant Pot and pressure cooking your crab leg clusters.
Seafood feasts often include more than one type of shellfish. These Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes are delicious with snow crab! If you want another seafood option, then check out this recipe for Butter Poached Lobster.
Ingredients
You can find all of these ingredients at the grocery store! Depending on where you live, the crab may be a bit more difficult to locate, but you should be able to find something. Here’s what you’ll need.
- Old Bay seasoning: If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, substitute ½ teaspoon celery salt, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground mustard, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon bay leaves, and a pinch of ground ginger.
- snow crab legs: You can substitute king crab legs in this recipe. Simply add 2 minutes of cook time to adjust for their larger size.
- garlic: Use whole heads of garlic to infuse bold flavor into the crab meat!
- lemon: Slice a fresh lemon to add to this yummy Instant Pot crab legs recipe.
- water: I like to use filtered water when steaming the crab legs so that there’s no funky flavors effecting my crab legs.
- salt: The easiest way to bring out all the flavors in this seafood boil is a little bit of salt.
How to Make Instant Pot Crab Legs
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make Instant Pot crab legs in no time:
Set out the crab legs at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to allow them to partially thaw, just enough so you’re able to able to bend the legs a bit.
Add the water, salt, and Old Bay seasoning to the Instant Pot, then place either the strainer or a trivet in the bottom of your Instant Pot.
Place the frozen crabs, lemon, and garlic on top of the trivet, bending the legs a bit to allow the crabs to fit into the inner pot.
Secure the lid, then set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 3 minutes. It usually takes 10-15 minutes to get up to pressure and begin cooking.
Once the cook time is done, carefully quick release the pressure by turning or pressing the steam release valve. Be careful while doing the quick pressure release so as not to burn or scald your hands!
Once all the pressure is released, open the lid. The crabs can sit in the inner pot for a few minutes to rest and keep them warm until you’re ready to eat them.
Carefully use tongs to remove the crab legs from the Instant Pot and set them on a platter. Spoon some of the liquid from the bottom of the pot and pour it over the crab legs. This helps to keep the crabs moist and flavorful!
Then use a nutcracker, crab cracker, or your hands and break apart the legs to remove the pieces of meat, discarding the shells as you go.
Serve with melted butter and sprinkle a little lemon juice on top. Eating crabs is messy! Make sure you have extra napkins on hand, and maybe a bib, too!
How to Store Leftovers
Transfer leftover crab legs to an airtight container or bag. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftover crab meat. Transfer to a freezer safe container or bag and store for 2-3 months.
Serving Suggestions
I always recommend serving crab legs with melted garlic butter for dipping! It’s also great served with air fryer baby potatoes, spaghetti squash, or jasmine rice.
Add some tasty sides like bacon wrapped asparagus or air fryer green beans.
Instant Pot Crab Legs FAQ
No, crabs can be cooked directly from frozen, but partially thaw the crab legs at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to make the legs easier to bend and fit inside the pot.
I recommend preparing 2-3 snow crab clusters per adult. This is the average serving size, but you can absolutely make more if you’d like!
More Instant Pot Recipes
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe!
Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom.
Instant Pot Crab Legs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs. frozen snow crab legs
- 1.5 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning ⠀
- 1 lemon
- 1 head garlic
Serve with
- melted butter
- lemon slices
Video
Instructions
- Add the water, salt, and Old Bay seasoning to the Instant Pot. Place either the steamer basket or trivet inside the inner pot. Place the frozen crabs, lemon, and garlic on top of the trivet, bending the crab legs as needed to allow the crabs to fit into the inner pot.
- Secure the lid, then set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 3 minutes.Once the cooking time is done, carefully Quick Release the pressure by turning or pressing the steam release valve.
- Open the lid, and carefully use tongs to remove the crab legs from the Instant Pot and set them on a platter. Spoon some of the liquid from the bottom of the pot over the crab legs. Serve immediately with melted butter and sprinkle a little lemon juice on top, and use a nutcracker, crab cracker, or your hands to break apart the legs to remove the pieces of meat, discarding the shells as you go.
Notes
- Allow the frozen crab legs to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking to make them easier to bend and fit inside the Instant Pot.
- To substitute king crab legs, add 2 minutes of cook time to adjust for their larger size.
- If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, substitute 1/2 teaspoon celery salt, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon bay leaves, and a pinch of ground ginger.
- An 8 qt. Instant Pot will fit ~2.5-3 pounds of snow crab legs (about 8 clusters), and a 6 qt. Instant Pot will fit ~2 pounds of crab legs (about 6 clusters).
- Use crab crackers or nutcrackers to make getting all the meat out of each leg and knuckle a lot easier!
I take rosemary sprigs & stir The water & seasonings, then place them in the water and place a sprig or two on top of The crab. I also take a little bit of rosemary-herbed butter And spread it on the sweet meat of the clusters. AMAZING!!!
These came out perfectly, moist and flavorful, much prefer this to steaming them like I usually do.