Drunken Alaskan King Crab Legs
This recipe offers a quick and elegant way to prepare Alaskan king crab legs. By steaming them in a fragrant beer broth infused with lemon and garlic, the crab meat becomes tender and flavorful. Served simply with warm drawn butter, it's a gourmet dish that's surprisingly easy to execute, perfect for a special meal.
Equipment
- 1 Large Stockpot with Steamer Insert Essential for proper steaming.
- 1 Chef's knife For preparing lemons and garlic.
- 1 Cutting Board For safe preparation of ingredients.
- 1 Kitchen Tongs For safely handling hot crab legs.
- 1 Small Saucepan For preparing or reheating drawn butter.
Ingredients
Main
- 3 bottles premium ale
- 3 lemons cut in 1/2
- 1 head garlic split in 1/2
- 3 pounds Alaskan king crab legs split
- Drawn butter for serving
Instructions
- To a large stockpot with a steamer insert, add beer, lemons and garlic and bring to a boil. Add crab legs and cover. Steam for 5 minutes or until crab is cooked through. Serve with drawn butter.
Notes
Alaskan king crab legs are typically pre-cooked, so the goal here is to simply heat them through while infusing flavor. Do not overcook, as this will result in rubbery, dry crab meat. The 5-minute steaming time is usually sufficient. For an enhanced flavor profile, consider adding a few bay leaves, a pinch of Old Bay seasoning, or a few sprigs of fresh dill to the steaming liquid. Ensure your drawn butter is perfectly warm, not hot, to avoid melting too quickly on the crab. A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving will add a touch of color and freshness to the presentation.