Name: Oven-Baked Crab Legs with Butter Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds crab legs (king or snow crab, thawed if frozen); 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning (or 1/2 tsp paprika + pinch of cayenne); Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; Lemon wedges, for serving

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Oven-Baked Crab Legs with Butter Sauce is an easy yet luxurious seafood dish that’s perfect for special dinners or whenever I want to treat myself. Tender, sweet crab meat baked to perfection and drizzled with garlicky, lemony butter—it’s simple, satisfying, and seriously impressive.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love how this dish feels restaurant-worthy without requiring any complicated steps. Baking crab legs in the oven locks in their moisture and flavor, and the butter sauce brings everything together with a rich, aromatic finish. It’s fast, fuss-free, and always delivers that “wow” factor. Oven-Baked Crab Legs with Butter Sauce

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Crab legs (king or snow crab, thawed if frozen)
Butter (unsalted)
Garlic, minced
Lemon juice
Old Bay seasoning (or paprika and cayenne)
Fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper
Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

I preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
I arrange the crab legs on the sheet in a single layer and crack them slightly with kitchen shears to let the butter flavor seep in.
In a saucepan, I melt the butter and stir in garlic, lemon juice, seasoning, and a bit of salt and pepper.
I pour or brush the butter sauce generously over the crab legs.
I cover the pan with foil and bake for about 15–20 minutes until heated through.
I uncover and broil for 2–3 minutes if I want a bit of golden color on top.
I garnish with parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges and leftover butter sauce for dipping.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 2 to 3 people and takes about 30 minutes total—10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to bake.

Variations

I sometimes add a splash of white wine to the butter sauce for added depth.
For extra spice, I mix in red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
A sprinkle of Parmesan just before broiling adds a cheesy twist.
If I’m using snow crab instead of king crab, I reduce the bake time slightly since they’re thinner.

Storage/Reheating

Leftover crab legs can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. I reheat them gently in a 350°F oven wrapped in foil with a little butter or broth to keep them from drying out. I avoid microwaving, which can toughen the meat. Oven-Baked Crab Legs with Butter Sauce

FAQs

Do I need to thaw frozen crab legs first?

Yes. I thaw them in the fridge overnight or under cold running water for quicker prep. Baking them frozen leads to uneven heating.

Can I use pre-cooked crab legs?

Absolutely. Most crab legs sold in stores are already cooked. I’m just reheating and flavoring them with the butter sauce.

What sides go well with crab legs?

I love serving them with garlic bread, corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, or a fresh green salad.

How do I crack the shells easily?

I use kitchen shears to snip along the shell and gently pull it apart. It’s cleaner and easier than using a nutcracker.

Can I grill them instead of baking?

Yes. I wrap them in foil with the butter sauce and grill over medium heat for 10–15 minutes until hot and flavorful.

Conclusion

Oven-Baked Crab Legs with Butter Sauce is a straightforward, indulgent dish that brings out the best in seafood. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, it’s one of my go-to recipes for special occasions or cozy nights in. Once I tried this method, I found it hard to go back to steaming—baking brings out the richness perfectly.