Instant Pot Crab Legs

Check out my recipe to make Instant Pot Crab Legs using the pressure cook function!

I love just about any and all kinds of shellfish.  I’m not sure if it’s the actual shellfish or the butter that you dip it in that I love more!  When Luis and I met he wasn’t big on any shellfish….no shrimp, no lobster and no crab.  He has since come around on this and actually requests Instant Pot crab legs!  Woo hoo!  That’s a huge win for me and my shellfish cravings!

Years ago I bought crab legs to make at home for the first time and wasn’t sure how to heat them.  The fish counter employee told me that the best thing to do is place them on a baking sheet with about half of an inch of water in the pan and then bake them for just a couple of minutes.  

The purpose of this was to create steam to warm the crab without immersing the crab in water.  Since the crab is already cooked, when you immerse it in water you risk losing some of the flavor that is already there into the water.  I have been cooking crab legs this way for years…until now!

I decided to give it a try in the Instant Pot.  After all, you can cook ANYTHING in the Instant Pot!  I will NEVER cook crab legs in the oven again…never again!  I can’t even begin to tell you how much better, juicier, more flavorful the crab legs turned out in the Instant Pot.  Seriously, this was a great decision!  :). They turned out great.  

I am pretty sure that Luis was getting annoyed with me as I continued to say “this is so good!, right?  Isn’t this so good?” after every bite.   Give it a try- I think you’ll be as impressed as I was!

Tips for this recipe:

1.Adjust the garlic and seasoning to your liking.  This recipe creates a mild flavor.  If you are looking for more of a cajun experience then double or triple the seasoning and garlic.

2.Keep the cooking liquid until you have finished eating.  I found myself dipping my crab in the seasoning, garlic, lemon for added flavor.

3.Buy crab crackers and splitters.  I bought mine on Amazon and they are a life saver.

4.Eat the knuckle meat.  Ok, so I’ll be the first to admit that the legs are the best part and the knuckle often gets left until there are no more legs.  Don’t forget about the knuckle.  There is so much crab meat in their, it’s crazy.  I have started pulling the knuckle meat out and putting it in the butter to hang out until I have finished the legs.

5.Be sure to take the trash out after dinner.  If you leave the crab leg scraps in the trash overnight, you will regret it.  The smell….it’s not good the next day!

How to make Instant Pot Crab Legs:

1.Place trivet in Instant Pot

2.Pour water into pot

3.Add garlic to pot

4.Add Tony Chachere’s seasoning

5.Place sliced lemons on trivet

6.Add crab legs to pot

7.Close lid and move valve to “seal” position

8.Cook on manual high for 2 minutes

9.When timer beeps move seal to “release” and quick release all pressure

10.Once pressure is released take off the lid

11.Let Crab Legs continue to steam in the Instant Pot for up to 5 minutes

12.Serve with melted butter or the best ever compound butter!

Ingredients for making Instant Pot Crab Legs:

• 4 Crab Leg clusters
• 2 Tablespoons garlic-minced or chopped
• 1 Tablespoon Tony Chachere’s seasoning
• 1 Cup water
• 1 Lemon-sliced
• The best compound butter ever!

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