Instant Pot Crab Legs

crab legs on a plate with lemon and sauce

Wanna know how to steam crab legs in the Instant Pot? This is the recipe for you!

This  recipe is super easy and you can have it in only 5 minutes.

crab legs on a plate with lemon and sauce

Crab legs are a delicious and luxurious seafood delicacy that many people love to enjoy.

They can be cooked in a variety of ways, including boiling, steaming, and grilling. But have you ever tried cooking crab legs in an Instant Pot?

It's an easy and convenient way to cook them to perfection, without the fuss and mess of traditional methods. In this post, we'll share an Instant Pot crab legs recipe that's sure to impress your guests and make your dinner table a seafood feast.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

Cooking crab legs in an Instant Pot works so well because it uses steam to cook the crab legs evenly and quickly. The crab meat stays juicy and tender, and the shells are easy to crack open. Plus, the Instant Pot keeps the mess contained, making cleanup a breeze.

Ingredients

crab legs ingredients

All you need is crab legs, butter, lemon juice and water for the Instant Pot.

Can I add spices?

Sure:)

I like the natural taste of snow crab legs, but feel free to add salt, garlic, garlic powder or anything you like to the water. Cooking time and instructions stay the same.

You can also place lemon slices on the trivet next to the crab.

Tips

  • Be sure to add some aromatics like garlic, lemon, and bay leaf to the Instant Pot. This will add some flavor to the crab meat.
  • Don't overcook the crab legs, or they will become tough and rubbery.
  • Use a steaming basket or trivet to keep the crab legs out of the water, so they don't get waterlogged.
  • Use kitchen shears to crack open the crab legs easily.

FAQs

How long does it take to cook crab legs in the Instant Pot?

It takes about 5 minutes total to cook crab legs in the Instant Pot.

Do I need to thaw crab legs before cooking them in the Instant Pot?

Yes, you should thaw crab legs before cooking them in the Instant Pot. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from becoming tough.

crab legs

How to serve

Once your Instant Pot crab legs are cooked to perfection, it's time to serve them up with some tasty side dishes. Grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, and corn on the cob are all great options. You can also serve them with a side of garlic butter for dipping.

Some ideas for side dishes:

Instant Pot Green Beans

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Instant Pot Quinoa

Instant Pot Kale

Looking for more? Check out What To Serve With Crab Legs for 15 delicious recipes.

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crab legs on a plate with lemon and sauce

Instant Pot Crab Legs

You can make this fancy seafood dinner in an Instant Pot without any hassle. Easy sow crab legs for dinner.
4.65 from 240 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: butter, crab legs, Steamed Crab legs
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 5
Author: Corrie

Ingredients

  • 2 lb frozen crab legs
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoon melted butter for serving
  • lemon juice for serving

Instructions

  • Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot.
  • Place a trivet inside the Instant Pot.
  • Place crab legs on the trivet and close the lid.
  • Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes.
  • When cooking time is complete, do a quick pressure release.
  • Open the lid and place the crab legs on serving plates or dish.
  • Serve with lemon juice and butter and enjoy 🙂

Nutrition

Calories: 98kcal Carbohydrates: 1g Protein: 10g Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 4g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 39mg Sodium: 527mg Potassium: 117mg Sugar: 1g Vitamin A: 189IU Vitamin C: 4mg Calcium: 30mg Iron: 1mg

Video

Notes

  • Feel free to add salt, pepper, garlic powder and any other spices you like.
  • Don't overcook the crab legs, or they will become tough and rubbery.
  • Use a steaming basket or trivet to keep the crab legs out of the water, so they don't get waterlogged.
  • Use kitchen shears to crack open the crab legs easily.
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