Instant Pot Crab Legs

If you are looking for the bet way to make Instant Pot Crab Legs, look no further. This recipe is so good, you can have a seafood feast in minutes!

Today, we are going to learn how to make Instant Pot Crab Legs, a perfect and easy dinner recipe.

Besides air frying crab legs, the Instant Pot is a foolproof method for cooking Instant Pot Crab Legs.

In less than 10 minutes, your Instant Pot, can give you tender, and succulent crab legs, perfect for a simple dinner, or fancy enough for a holiday meal. So, if you are looking for the best way to cook crab, look no further than your pressure cooker.

If you love easy crab recipes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Crab Sticks, Air Fryer Bacon and Crab Rolls, Air Fryer Soft Shell Crab, or Air Fryer Crab Cake Sandwiches.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Quick and Easy: Ready in just a few minutes, it’s the best and easiest way to make Instant Pot snow crab legs are a fast way to enjoy a gourmet meal.
• Perfectly Tender: The pressure cooker ensures your crab legs come out juicy and tender every time.
• Minimal Effort: With minimal prep and cleanup, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Skip the expensive seafood restaurants and make delicious crab legs in the comfort of your home.
• Fresh or Frozen: Below, we will go over how to make Instant Pot Frozen Crab Legs.
• Making crab legs are a perfect meal, to make in your pressure cooker, below, we will give some suggestions on what to serve with crab legs, like Instant Pot Corn on the Cob or Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. 

How To Make Crab Legs In The Instant Pot

Here is a brief overview of directions, the full recipe is at the bottom of the post:

Step One: Gather your crab legs. You might need to break them at the joints to fit them into the pot if they are large. Have them ready if you use additional flavorings like lemon wedges, garlic cloves, or Old Bay seasoning

Step Two: Pour 1 to 2 cups of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot. The amount of water may vary depending on the size of your pot, but you need enough to produce steam. Add the lemon wedges, garlic cloves, and Old Bay seasoning (if using) to the water. This will infuse the crab legs with extra flavor as they cook.

Step Three: Place a trivet or steamer basket into the Instant Pot. Then, arrange the crab legs on the trivet. It’s okay if they stack, but try to leave some space for the steam to circulate. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and seal the valve. Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure, with 2-3 minutes cook time. You might need an extra minute if your crab legs are particularly large or you have a whole pot.

Step Four: Once the cooking time is up, use the quick-release valve to release the pressure. Be cautious of the steam. Carefully open the lid and use tongs to remove the cooked crab.  Serve immediately with melted butter or lemon juice for dipping and additional lemon wedges if desired.

Steam Crab Legs In The Instant Pot Recipe Tips

• Use Pre-Cooked, Frozen Crab Legs: Most crab legs sold in stores are cooked and frozen.
• Add Flavor to the Water: Enhance the steaming water with ingredients like lemon wedges, garlic cloves, or a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning.
• Don’t Skimp on the Water: Ensure there’s enough water in the Instant Pot to produce sufficient steam.
• Arrange Crab Legs Properly: If the crab legs are too long, break them at the joints to fit into the pot.
• Quick Pressure Release: Once the cooking time is up, use the quick-release method to release the pressure.
• Check for Doneness: When you open the pot, the crab legs should be hot and steaming. Snow crab legs were used in this recipe, but they will be the same timing as king crabs.
• Serve Immediately: Crab legs are best enjoyed hot.
• Experiment with Cooking Time: Depending on the size and quantity of the crab legs, you might need to adjust the cooking time.
• Use Leftovers Wisely: If you have leftover crab meat, use it in salads, sandwiches, or pasta dishes.

How Many Crab Legs Should You Have Per Person?

The general guideline for serving crab legs is about 1 to 1.5 pounds per person, depending on appetite and whether they are the main course. If you’re serving other dishes alongside the crab legs, you can aim for the lower end. For larger eaters or crab leg enthusiasts, you might want to provide a bit more.

For King Crab, due to its larger size, 1 pound per person is typically sufficient, while for Snow Crab or Dungeness Crab, closer to 1.5 pounds per person may be needed.

What To Serve With Crab Legs

• Air Fryer Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
• Air Fryer Green Peas Recipe
• Air Fryer Italian Baked Stuffed Shells
• Air Fryer Steakhouse Sweet Potato.
• Air Fryer Copycat Outback Steakhouse Bloomin Onion
• Air Fryer Steakhouse Potatoes

Instant Pot Crab Legs Recipe Faqs

​How to Store Leftover Snow Crab Legs? To store leftover Snow Crab legs, place them in an airtight container or tightly wrap them in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days in the fridge or can be frozen for up to 3 months for longer storage.

How Long To Cook Crab Legs In The Instant Pot? Crab legs typically cook in the Instant Pot in about 2-4 minutes on high pressure, depending on the size of the legs. Make sure to allow for a quick release of pressure after cooking to keep the crab meat tender and juicy.

How To Cook Frozen Crab Legs In Instant Pot To cook frozen crab legs in the Instant Pot, start by placing a trivet or steaming basket in the pot and adding about 1 cup of water. Next, arrange the frozen crab legs on top of the trivet, ensuring they don’t exceed the pot’s capacity, and seal the lid. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for about 5-7 minutes, then perform a quick release of pressure. Once done, carefully remove the crab legs.

More Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Lemon Salmon
• Instant Pot Steamed Clams
• Air Fryer Seafood Boil
• Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp
• Air Fryer Crab Sticks

Don’t Forget To Pin!