Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs Frozen or Cooked Crab Legs (Snow or King), thawed
  • 1 stick (8 Tbsp) Unsalted Butter
  • 6 large Fresh Garlic Cloves, minced finely
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely chopped (divided)
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  2. If using frozen crab, ensure it is fully thawed. Pat the crab legs dry gently and use kitchen shears to snip along the top shell of the thickest part of the legs (scoring). Arrange the legs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until small brown bits form at the bottom (brown butter). Immediately remove from heat.
  4. Stir the minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper into the warm brown butter. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the chopped parsley.
  5. Spoon or brush generously half of the garlic butter mixture evenly over the scored crab legs. Place the tray in the preheated oven.
  6. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the tray, pour the remaining butter mixture over the legs, and return to the oven for another 2–5 minutes, or until the crab meat looks opaque white.
  7. Carefully transfer the Garlic Butter Baked Crab Legs to a large serving platter and sprinkle with the reserved fresh parsley. Serve immediately.