By Ryan Loose

Even if you don’t operate a seafood restaurant, adding king crab legs to your menu can be a huge boost to profits. King crab legs are delicious, nutritious, and incredibly quick to prepare properly, which is a huge hit with hungry customers. Hungry customers who want mounds of delicious king crab legs. And will definitely come back each week for more. It’s inevitable. Plus, there are several simple methods of cooking king crab legs to suit the particular theme, menu, and equipment capabilities of your restaurant.

So, if you’re interested in learning how to cook king crab legs, or finding out how king crab legs might fit on your restaurant?s menu, below are four popular king crab leg cooking methods that anyone can master. Note: It is recommended that you thaw your king crab legs for 24 hours in a refrigerator prior to cooking.

How To Steam King Crab Legs - First, fill a large pot with water until it is just below your steamer basket or steaming grate. Next, bring the water to a boil. (Some chefs like to put a tablespoon of salt in the water at this point for added flavor). Place the crab legs in your steamer basket and cover the pot. Steam the crab legs for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until you can smell their unmistakably delicious aroma. Serve with hot melted butter and lemon wedges.

How to Boil King Crab Legs - Fill a large sauce pan half full with water and bring it to a boil. (It’s important to make sure your sauce pan is big enough to hold the crab legs as the meat can become soggy if you need to break the legs to make them fit). Add a tablespoon of salt, and seafood seasoning if you wish. Drop in the crab legs and reduce the heat slightly. Allow the crab legs to simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes. Finally, remove the king crab legs, rinse them, and serve.

How to Grill King Crab Legs - First, brush all sides of your crab legs with olive oil to prevent them from sticking. Place the crab legs on a hot grill, approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit, for about 5 minutes. (Gas grills are ideal for preparing king crab legs because they provide more control over temperatures. If your grill is too hot, the crab legs will quickly dry out). Next, flip the legs and grill for another 5 minutes, or until they are heated the whole way through. Plate and serve with hot, melted butter, lemon wedges, or even hot sauce depending on your customer’s particular tastes.

How to Bake King Crab Legs - First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, place your crab legs in a single layer, in a shallow baking pan with 1/8" of water. (Some chefs like to brush their king crab legs with butter, oil, seasoning, and lemon juice at this point to add their own distinct flavor). Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.