Best Way To Cut King Crab Legs
King crab legs are a delicacy that many Americans enjoy, especially during special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or holiday celebrations. While it's always ideal to have crab legs cooked to perfection, the real value of enjoying this seafood delicacy comes in knowing how to cut the king crab legs correctly. In this article, we will provide you with some tips and tricks on the best way to cut king crab legs to ensure you get the most out of this delectable treat.
Tools for cutting king crab legs
Before we get into the details of cutting your king crab legs, you need to have the right tools. You will require scissors or kitchen shears and a seafood fork. The seafood fork is optional, but it is useful when you need to remove any remaining meat from the shell.
Step by step guide on how to cut king crab legs
King crab legs are sold in two ways, either precooked and frozen or cooked and chilled. The following steps apply to both precooked and cooked king crab legs.
Step 1: Remove the legs from the crab's body
The first thing you need to do is remove the legs from the crab's body. You can do this by pulling and twisting the legs at the joint, or you can cut them using your kitchen shears.
Step 2: Cut the crab legs into smaller portions
Using your kitchen shears, cut the king crab legs into smaller portions. You can either cut them in half or into smaller pieces depending on your preference. It's important to note that the smaller the pieces, the easier it will be for you to remove the meat from the shell.
Step 3: Crack the shell
Take each portion of the king crab legs and use the back of your kitchen shears or a crab cracker to crack the shell. You want to crack the shell gently so that you can remove the meat easily without leaving any in the shell.
Step 4: Remove the meat from the shell
Using your seafood fork, remove the meat from the shell. You can use the fork to pull out any remaining meat that's stuck in the shell. If you're having trouble removing the meat, use your kitchen shears to cut through any remaining shell or connective tissue.
Tips for cutting king crab legs
Now that you know how to cut king crab legs correctly let's look at some tips to help you make the most out of your king crab legs.
Tip 1: Opt for smaller portions
When cutting king crab legs, it's best to go for smaller portions as they're easier to handle and cook. Smaller portions also allow you to savor the flavor of the crab better.
Tip 2: Use kitchen shears instead of a knife
Kitchen shears are the ideal tool for cutting king crab legs. Kitchen shears are strong enough to cut through the shell but gentle enough not to damage the meat inside.
Tip 3: Serve crab legs with dipping sauces
Crab legs are best enjoyed with dipping sauces. Popular dipping sauces include melted butter, cocktail sauce, and garlic butter sauce. You can also experiment with making your own dipping sauces using ingredients like honey, mustard, or lemon juice.
Conclusion
Cutting king crab legs isn't rocket science, and with the right tools and tips, anyone can do it. Follow the steps we've provided and you'll be sure to get the most out of your king crab legs. Don't forget to experiment with different dipping sauces to get the perfect taste you want. So go ahead and indulge in some king crab legs for your next special occasion!
