Easy Instant Pot Crab Legs

This Easy Instant Pot Crab Legs recipe will show you how to steam fresh or frozen snow crab or king crab in your pressure cooker. Season this seafood with lemon, Old Bay, or my favorite Cajun rub.

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You can whip up your own crab boil right in the Instant Pot. Trust me, it’s easy!

Why Use the Instant Pot

It’s fast. You will have this entire process completed in under 15 minutes. That works great if you are planning to serve this dish for the holidays or for a gathering.

The crab legs are so much easier to crack. This is my favorite way to make crab legs that are extremely easy to crack. The pressure from the pot, along with the steams works wonders. When you remove the crab, you can see how much easier the legs are to navigate and how the inside meat has become tender.

What Type of Crab Legs to Use: The Difference Between Snow Crab and King Crab Legs

I’m using snow crab in this recipe, but you can also use king crab. Snow crab legs are sold in clusters and typically by the pound. They are much easier to handle and crack, in comparison to king crab legs, because they have a smooth shell. There are usually at least 4 legs in each cluster. Their flavor is mild and sweet.

King crab legs have a very prickly shell. They are large in size and are typically sold individually (by the leg) in pounds. The meat is a little more delicate and sweeter. They are a lot more expensive than snow crab. (I usually get these for New Year’s!).

King crab legs will fit in my 6 quart Instant Pot. Sometimes you may have to break them in half.

How to Buy and Shop

Most crab will come precooked and often frozen. Sometimes, if it’s sold thawed, then it has been thawed from frozen. After the crabs are caught they are cooked on the boat and then flash-frozen right on the spot. If the crab legs are orange or red in color when you bought them, then they have already been cooked. This process is reheating them.

How to Thaw

The best way to thaw is to put them in the refrigerator overnight (at least 8 hours). You can also put them in a bowl and run cool water over them to thaw quickly.

Thawed crab will last in the fridge for 1-2 days.

How to Cook Crab Legs in an Instant Pot

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Place the trivet into the bottom of the pot.
2. Pour in water along with the Old Bay Seasoning and Cajun Seasoning.
3. Add in the crab legs and lemon.
4. Place the lid on the pot and seal.
5. Pressure Cook.

Cook Time/How Long to Cook

These only need to cook for 1 minute. It will take the pot about 5 minutes to come to pressure.

Frozen Crab Legs

You can cook these from frozen if you wish. Use the same cook time, the pot will take longer to come to pressure. I typically thaw them because in my experience, using frozen creates excess water within the crab.

How to Reheat

I don’t reheat them. I love to serve these with warm butter and that provides the temperature adjustment I need. If you know you want to eat more of them later, crack them first. The longer they sit, the harder they are to crack and the meat gets trapped inside.

If you must reheat, saute them in a pan with oil or butter until warm.

Pair With These Recipes

Roasted Ranch Potatoes
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Southern Coleslaw
Green Goddess Cobb Salad
Zucchini Au Gratin
Air Fryer French Fries
Creamy Ranch Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

More Seafood Recipes

Air Fryer Fish Sandwich
Instant Pot Shrimp Risotto
Instant Pot Shrimp and Grits
Air Fryer Fish Sticks
Air Fryer Catfish
Air Fryer Salmon
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo

More Crab Recipes

Crab Stuffed Salmon
Crab Rangoon Dip
Hot Baked Crab Dip
Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
Baked Crab Legs
Air Fryer Crab Legs
Seafood Stuffed Pasta Shells