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Savory Garlic Butter Crab Legs Recipe with Easy Zesty Lemon Dip

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This recipe features tender crab legs gently simmered in garlic-infused butter paired with a bright, zesty lemon dip. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for a special yet approachable seafood meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds cooked snow crab legs or king crab legs, thawed if frozen
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper for the lemon dip

Instructions

  1. If frozen, thaw crab legs overnight in the refrigerator or under cold running water for about 10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Place crab legs in a steaming basket or colander over the boiling water. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes until heated through and fragrant. Avoid overcooking.
  3. While crab steams, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook gently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in half of the chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Keep warm.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, remaining parsley, a pinch of salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Adjust seasoning to taste. Chill until ready to serve.
  5. Arrange steamed crab legs on a platter. Drizzle warm garlic butter over the top or serve on the side for dipping. Present the zesty lemon dip alongside with lemon wedges.

Notes

Do not boil crab legs directly to avoid rubbery meat; steaming preserves texture and flavor. Cook garlic gently in butter to avoid bitterness. Use kitchen shears or seafood crackers to avoid shell shards. The lemon dip balances the richness of the butter and crab.

Nutrition

Keywords: crab legs, garlic butter, lemon dip, seafood recipe, quick seafood, easy crab recipe, zesty lemon sauce

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/savory-garlic-butter-crab-legs-recipe-with-easy-zesty-lemon-dip/