Instant Pot Crab Legs
This easy recipe for crab legs in the Instant Pot is the best way to enjoy perfectly cooked crab at home! Whether you’re working with fresh or frozen crab legs, this method uses a pressure cooker steam crab legs quickly and lock in all their sweet, juicy flavor. In just 2 minutes for fresh or 4 minutes for frozen, you’ll have tender crab legs ready to serve!
My mother in law is a HUGE fan of crab legs. We don’t buy them at all but we will definitely enjoy them during Christmas or New Years when someone else fits the bill! I’ve never actually learned the proper way to cook crab legs in a pot and I wanted to make sure it was done quickly and easily. And since I am queen of kitchen gadgets, I decided to learn how to steam crab legs in Instant Pot!
🙋🏻♀️Why Pressure Cook Crab Legs?
From creamy soups to hearty stews and even desserts, there’s no shortage of quick and delicious recipes you can whip up with the Instant Pot. If you love recipes like Instant Pot Lamb Chops or Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chili, you’re going to love how easy it is to make crab legs.
Cooking crab legs in an Instant Pot is one of the fastest and most easiest ways to get restaurant-quality crab. The gentle steam makes sure the crab meat stays tender and flavorful, while the pressure cooking locks in all those natural juices. No boiling water, no giant seafood pots, just perfectly cooked crab legs in a fraction of the time.
🦀 Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
- Crab Legs: You could buy these fresh or frozen to make them more budget-friendly. As long as you have 1 ½ to 2lbs they will fit in any standard pressure cooker or instant pot.
- Lemon Slices: This is sliced and placed on the bottom so the lemon flavor steams into the crab legs.
- Seasoning: A tablespoon of seafood seasoning is necessary to get that classic taste. You can use Old Bay, Zatarains, Tony’s Creole Seasoning, or any Cajun Seasoning you enjoy!
- Minced Garlic: All seafood pairs well with garlic, minced garlic is added to the bottom of the instant pot to infuse it with light but fragrant garlic flavor.
- Melted Butter or Ghee: Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Serve with lemon juice or your favorite garlic butter sauce or dipping sauce!
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker: You can use a standard pressure cooker for this recipe. I like using my Ninja Foodi multicooker.
🎥VIDEO (Watch Me Make It!)
🍲 How To Steam Crab Legs In The Instant Pot
1️⃣ Prepare the Instant Pot with Water and Seasoning: Begin by pouring one cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot. This is the base for creating the steam needed to cook your crab legs perfectly. Stir in one tablespoon of your favorite seafood seasoning to enhance the flavor. Popular options include Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, or Zatarain’s. Add a teaspoon of minced garlic.
2️⃣ Set Up the Trivet and Lemon Slices: Place a trivet into the bottom of the Instant Pot to elevate the crab legs above the water. This makes sure they steam properly instead of boiling. Layer lemon slices on top of the trivet for a zesty touch that infuses the crab legs with subtle citrus notes during cooking.
3️⃣ Add the Crab Legs: Arrange fresh or frozen crab leg clusters on top of the lemon slices. Make sure the crab legs are spaced evenly and stay below the MAX line of your Instant Pot to allow proper sealing and pressure cooking. This method works perfectly for a variety of crab types, including king crab and snow crab.
4️⃣ Seal the Lid and Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the vent is set to “Sealing.” Select the manual HIGH pressure cooking setting. For fresh crab legs, set the timer for 2 minutes. If using frozen crab legs, increase the time to 4 minutes. The pressure cooking process locks in the natural juices, creating tender and flavorful crab meat.
5️⃣ Quick Release and Serve: Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release by carefully turning the vent to “Venting” to release the pressure. Use tongs to remove the hot crab legs from the Instant Pot. Serve immediately while they are still hot, pairing them with melted butter, garlic aioli, or your favorite dipping sauce.
⏲️How Long To Steam Crab Legs
For fresh crab legs, the cooking time is just 2 minutes under high pressure. Frozen crab legs take slightly longer, requiring 4 minutes to make sure they’re fully heated through while maintaining their tender, juicy texture. If you’re filling the Instant Pot with multiple clusters, keep in mind that the pressure may take a little longer to build before cooking starts, but the cook time itself remains the same. Always make sure the crab legs are under the MAX fill line to allow proper steaming and avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
🦀How Many Crab Legs Per Person?
This recommendation assumes each person will eat 1-2 pounds of crab legs, depending on appetites and the sides served with the meal. For larger gatherings, aim for the higher range to make sure everyone has enough!
| Number of People | Pounds of Crab Legs Needed |
|---|---|
| 2 People | 2-4 lbs |
| 4 People | 4-8 lbs |
| 6 People | 6-12 lbs |
| 8 People | 8-16 lbs |
🍲The Best Crab Legs For Steaming
The best crab legs to steam on the stovetop or in the instant pot are crab legs that are thick and meaty. Try out these different types of crab legs.
- King Crab Legs
- Alaskan Legs
- Dungeness Crab Legs
- Snow Crab Legs
- Blue Crab Legs
👩🏻🍳Expert Tips
- Infuse Aromatics: Add aromatics like lemon slices, minced garlic, or bay leaves directly to the water in the Instant Pot. These flavors will steam into the crab legs, enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Experiment with Seasoning Blends: Sprinkle your favorite seafood seasoning, like Old Bay or Cajun spice, directly onto the crab legs before cooking for an extra layer of flavor.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Instant Pot: Arrange crab legs in a single layer, and avoid stacking them too tightly. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
- Preheat the Instant Pot for Faster Pressure Building: Before adding the crab legs, preheat the water by setting your Instant Pot to sauté mode. This reduces the time it takes for the pressure to build, speeding up the overall process.
- Save the Shells for Seafood Stock: Don’t toss the shells! Use them to make a flavorful seafood stock by simmering with water, onions, carrots, and celery. The stock can be frozen for future soups or risottos.
🥗Sides To Serve With Crab Legs
- Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Green Beans Almondine
- Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts
- Asian Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Air Fryer Beets
- Green Chile Yellow Squash Casserole
- Low Country Boil
🧊Storage & Reheating
Storing leftovers: Cooked crab legs are best served immediately. If you do have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating Crab Legs: The best way to reheat crab legs is to steam them again for a few minutes until they are warmed through. You can also reheat them in the oven on a baking sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
❓FAQ
Yes, you can cook crab legs without a trivet, but they may sit directly in the water, which can slightly dilute the flavor. For best results, use a trivet or a small rack to elevate the crab legs above the water and allow proper steaming.
To thaw frozen crab legs quickly, submerge them in cold water for 20-30 minutes. Change the water halfway through to ensure even thawing. Avoid using warm water, as it can compromise the texture.
Add seasonings like Old Bay, Cajun spice, or garlic powder to the water before steaming. For extra flavor, place lemon slices and minced garlic directly on the crab legs before cooking.
Absolutely! Cooking frozen crab legs is easy and eliminates the need for thawing. Simply increase the cooking time to 4 minutes on high pressure in the Instant Pot.
🍲More Instant Pot Dinner Recipes
- Instant Pot Pork Ribs
- Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
- Instant Pot Crispy Buffalo Wings
- Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
- Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs
- Instant Pot Steamed Shrimp
- Instant Pot Pasta with Meat Sauce
Instant Pot Crab Legs (Steamed Fresh or Frozen)
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- trivet
- Seafood tongs
- Lemon squeezer
- Seafood cracker
- Scissors
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Crab Legs Fresh or Frozen
- 1 tablespoon Seafood Seasoning Old Bay, Tony’s, Cajun
- 1 Lemon sliced into rounds
- 2 teaspoon Minced Garlic
Instructions
- Prepare the Instant Pot with Water and Seasoning: Begin by pouring one cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot. This is the base for creating the steam needed to cook your crab legs perfectly. Stir in one tablespoon of your favorite seafood seasoning to enhance the flavor. Popular options include Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, or Zatarain’s. Add a teaspoon of minced garlic.
- Set Up the Trivet and Lemon Slices: Place a trivet into the bottom of the Instant Pot to elevate the crab legs above the water. This makes sure they steam properly instead of boiling. Layer lemon slices on top of the trivet for a zesty touch that infuses the crab legs with subtle citrus notes during cooking.
- Add the Crab Legs: Arrange fresh or frozen crab leg clusters on top of the lemon slices. Make sure the crab legs are spaced evenly and stay below the MAX line of your Instant Pot to allow proper sealing and pressure cooking. This method works perfectly for a variety of crab types, including king crab and snow crab.
- Seal the Lid and Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the vent is set to “Sealing.” Select the manual HIGH pressure cooking setting. For fresh crab legs, set the timer for 2 minutes. If using frozen crab legs, increase the time to 4 minutes. The pressure cooking process locks in the natural juices, creating tender and flavorful crab meat.
- Quick Release and Serve: Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release by carefully turning the vent to “Venting” to release the pressure. Use tongs to remove the hot crab legs from the Instant Pot. Serve immediately while they are still hot, pairing them with melted butter, garlic aioli, or your favorite dipping sauce.
