Steamed Crab Legs with Garlic Butter

Ingredients

• 2 pounds crab legs (king or snow), thawed if frozen
• 2 cups water
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 whole lemon (zested and halved)
• 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Fill a large steamer pot or stock pot with 2 cups of water, then place the metal steamer basket inside so it sits 1 inch above the water level.

2. 2

   Pat the crab legs dry with paper towels by pressing gently on all sides — dry legs cook more evenly and brown better.

3. 3

   Mince the garlic by placing each clove on the cutting board, pressing down hard with the flat side of a knife, then chopping across the crushed clove into tiny pieces smaller than a grain of rice.

4. 4

   Bring the water in the steamer pot to a boil over high heat — you will see large bubbles breaking the surface continuously, about 3–4 minutes.

5. 5

   Lay the crab legs flat on the steamer basket in a single layer, breaking or bending them if needed to fit, then cover the pot with the lid.

6. 6

   Steam the crab legs over high heat for 4 minutes for thawed legs or 5–6 minutes if they are still partially frozen, until the shells turn bright orange-red and the legs are hot throughout.

7. 7

   While the crab steams, add 6 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring once every 15 seconds, until the butter is melted and the garlic smells fragrant, about 2 minutes.

8. 8

   Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the lemon zest — do not let the garlic brown or it will taste bitter.

9. 9

   Carefully remove the crab legs from the steamer with tongs and transfer them to a large plate or serving platter.

10. 10

    Pour the garlic butter into two small serving bowls, one for each diner, then place the lemon halves on the plate next to the crab legs.

11. 11

    Season the crab legs lightly with salt and pepper, then serve immediately while still hot.

Tools you’ll need

• large steamer pot or stock pot with lid
• metal steamer basket
• paper towels
• cutting board
• knife
• small saucepan
• wooden spoon
• kitchen tongs
• two small serving bowls
• large serving platter

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