Our palate buds love different types of foods and flavors , some of which we can’t get enough of.
A popular flavor combination is Cajun and seafood, and a good example of this type of dish is Cajun crab legs.
There are tons of restaurants that feature Cajun crab legs, but you don’t have to fly to Louisiana to enjoy a great Cajun crab leg recipe at home.
This recipe will take a few steps to make , but the end result is worth it.
This Cajun crab legs recipe is a delicious combination of spicy and savory flavors.
What ingredients are needed for a traditional Cajun crab leg recipe ?
Cajun crab legs are simply prepared by mixing Cajun seasoning with the crab meat .
The Cajun seasoning creates a flavorful , spicy crust that pairs perfectly with the sweet and succulent crab meat.
You can use more or less of the spices based on your personal preference for the amount of spice you want with each bite.
As for the crab meat , you can purchase it at most grocery stores or seafood markets.
It is usually found in drawers of the freezer section near other frozen shellfish or shrimp .
You will also need a few simple ingredients that are often found in the seafood aisle:
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Mayonnaise
- Crab meat
- Cajun seasoning
How long does it take to cook Cajun crab legs ?
Crab legs can be marinated for a few hours before cooking , and you’ll need at least an hour to prepare the marinade .
You can start the marinating process once you get the crabs home from the store.
The actual cooking process should take around 40 minutes and requires you to cook the legs in a covered skillet or pot .
Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the crab legs and how much liquid is added to the pot.
To keep the legs moist while they cook, it’s best to add almost a cup of water to the pot , which can be increased as needed.
What herbs and spices can be used to give the Cajun crab legs extra flavor ?
There are two main kinds of herbs and spices that can be used in this recipe.
The first is the Cajun seasoning .
Cajun seasoning is made up of blackened seasoning, salt , paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
This type of seasoning is very versatile and can make a great addition to other dishes as well.
The second main ingredient is the crab meat.
Crab meat is packed full of protein and can make a great addition to any dish .
The best part about crab meat is that it’s normally very inexpensive and can be found at most grocery stores for just a few dollars per pound.
What type of butter is best to use when preparing Cajun crab legs ?
Cajun crab legs are a delicious dish, but it is important to use the right type of butter.
If you use margarine or another butter alternative , you will ruin this dish.
Margarine is an entirely different flavor than butter and your Cajun crab legs won’t taste nearly as good .
If you want great Cajun crab legs , you must use salted butter.
You can purchase salted butter online or in the grocery store.
It’s important to purchase unsalted butter if you don’t have any salted on hand .
How can you tell when the Cajun crab legs are done cooking ?
When cooking Cajun crab legs , you have several options for the cooking process.
One of the easiest methods is to boil the crab legs in a pot of water and then remove them once they turn bright red and soft .
Another method is to put the crab legs on a hot grill, turning frequently until they turn bright red.
Another great way to cook Cajun crab legs is to place them in an oven with a thin layer of melted butter .
Alternatively, you can brown the crab legs in a skillet , but the best method is to boil them in a pot of water.
The method that works best depends on how many crabs you want to make, so we recommend cooking them all in separate pots.
What type of sides would pair well with Cajun crab legs ?
Cajun crab legs are great with a few sides.
My favorite side to pair with this dish is corn on the cob.
It’s the perfect flavor that brings out the sweet and spicy flavors of the Cajun crab legs .
I love red beans and rice, but that isn’t always available at my house.
So , I always have a bag of frozen mixed vegetables in the freezer to serve as a side dish.
This type of dish is best served with some sort of starch or vegetable to go with it.
It’s best with a combination of vegetables and starch to fill you up.
If you’re including pasta , then I recommend trying one of these pasta salad infused recipes .
Is it necessary to preboil the crab legs before adding them to the recipe ?
There are several ways to cook the crab legs.
Some recipes say to steam them in salt water with seasoning , while others will throw them straight into boiling water .
The question is, which method is the best ?
The answer depends on how you intend to use the Cajun crab legs once they are cooked.
If you intend to keep the crab legs fresh , then steaming them in salt water will be ideal.
The seasoning in the salt water will ensure that they stay fresh while they’re being stored and are easy to prepare for cooking later on .
If you intend to make crab legs for a party or for eating immediately, then boiling them in salt water is ideal .
In this case , you don’t have to worry about keeping them fresh because you’ll be able to cook it immediately.
Another thing to consider is that pre-boiled crab legs are more likely to turn mushy when cooked, especially if they’re boiled for too long.
If you plan on having these Cajun crab legs for a party , then it’s a good idea to boil them for about two hours until the meat becomes tender enough to eat .
Cooking them for the recommended amount of time will ensure that they’re not overcooked and mushy.
What techniques can be used to make the Cajun crab legs extra crispy ?
Crab legs are a very large food item , and it’s easy for them to become soggy .
However, there are several techniques that can be used to make your crab legs extra crispy and flavorful.
As previously mentioned , the crab legs should be boiled before they’re cooked.
When they’re ready to go, they can be dipped in a melted butter mixture.
This will act as a basting sauce and will prevent the crab legs from getting soggy .
For the sweet and spicy part of the recipe, you can use a mix of crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, paprika, cumin, salt, and garlic powder.
For the savory part of this dish, you can use some salt, pepper, and black pepper .
If you’d like to get creative with your Cajun crab legs recipe , you could also add some chopped onions or jalapeños.
What is the best way to store leftover Cajun crab legs ?
If you make the Cajun crab legs recipe as directed , don’t be surprised when you find yourself running out of crab meat.
In that case, you can store your delicious Cajun crab legs in the fridge for up to three days .
To serve Cajun crab legs, simply heat it up on a low flame in the microwave .
You can also heat it on the stove until it is hot , but keep in mind that you need to make sure that the steam does not escape.
If you plan to store Cajun crab legs for later use , you should store it in a freezer safe container.
If you transfer leftovers to a regular plastic container, they will not last as long as they would if they were placed in a freezer safe container.
Is it possible to freeze Cajun crab legs for later use ?
Cajun crab legs have a long shelf life due to their low moisture content.
Keep them in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
The best way to store leftover Cajun crab legs is to keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To freeze them , transfer them to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw the frozen Cajun crab legs in the refrigerator and use within 3-4 days.
Equipment
- Poyt
Ingredients
- 2 Snow Crab leg clusters
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
Instructions
- A steamer basket should be put inside a big pot that has been filled with an inch of water. Water is brought to a boil.
- Put the clusters of crab legs in the steaming basket and secure the top. On a medium-high heat, let them steam for around ten minutes.
- Once removed from the pot, they are finished!
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.