Instant Pot Crab Legs – Steamed Crab Legs In 4 Minutes! (2024)

December 18, 2020January 25, 2024

This easyrecipeforInstant Pot Crab Legsshows you the best way to cook andsteam crab legswith the mostflavor. With this method, you cansteam crab legs2-4 minutes using your pressure cooker. You can even cook them straight from frozen!

No need for theovenor abaking sheet! Steaming crab legs in the instant pot will no longer be intimidating when you can make them in your pressure cooker!

The result is perfectly cookedcrab meatwith minimal effort and clean-up. Great for holidays like New Years and Christmas or for whenever you feel like having a decadentseafoodmeal.

🦀Ingredientsand 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 lemonflavorsteams into the crab legs.

Seasoning:A tablespoon ofseafoodseasoning is necessary to get that classic taste. You can useOld Bay,Zatarains,Tony’s Creole Seasoning, or any Cajun Seasoning you enjoy!

Minced Garlic:Allseafoodpairs well with garlic, minced garlic is added to the bottom of the instant pot to infuse it with light but fragrant garlicflavor.

MeltedButteror Ghee:Meltbutterin amicrowave-safe bowl. Serve withlemon juiceor your favorite garlicbuttersauce ordipping sauce!

Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker:You can use a standard pressure cooker for thisrecipe. I like using my Ninja Foodi multicooker.

🍲How ToSteam Crab LegsIn The Instant Pot

1️⃣Pouronecup of waterinto the bottom of your instant pot.

2️⃣Stirin 1tbspof your favoriteseafoodseasoning (Old Bay seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, Zatarains). Thenstirin minced garlic.

3️⃣ Addtrivetto the bottom of the instant pot and place lemon slices on top.

4️⃣ Add fresh or frozencrab leg clusters. Be sure to arrange so that everything is under the MAX line.

5️⃣Sealthelidand pressure cook onmanualHIGH pressurefor 2 minutes if fresh or 4 minutes if frozen.

6️⃣ Once the crab legs are finished cooking, do aquick releasevent.Use tongsto remove and serve while they are hot.

🍲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

🧊Instant Pot Frozen Crab Legs

You can pressure cook frozen crab legs in your instant pot with no need to thaw or defrost!The instant pot will heat up according to the contents of the pot making sure that the food will be cooked. It may take a few minutes longer to warm up but they will cook perfectly even straight from frozen!

🥘Using Crab Legs In ASeafoodBoil

If you’re making aseafoodboilorLow CountryBoil, you can absolutely add crab legs along with thecorn, sausage, potatoes, and shrimp!

🧊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.

🍲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