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Ultimate Lemon Pepper Baked Dungeness Crab Legs with Garlic Butter Dip

Close-up of cooked Lemon Pepper Dungeness Crab Legs seasoned with herbs and butter, served with a dipping sauce.
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A straightforward recipe for preparing Dungeness Crab Legs with a zesty lemon pepper seasoning, finished by baking and served with a simple garlic butter sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 2 lbs Dungeness Crab Legs, thawed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, for dipping sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
  2. If your crab legs are frozen, thaw them completely under cold running water or in the refrigerator overnight. Pat the legs dry with paper towels.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup melted butter, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper, if using. Mix well to create the basting liquid.
  4. Place the crab legs on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the lemon pepper mixture generously over all surfaces of the crab legs.
  5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the legs, until the crab meat is heated through.
  6. While the crab bakes, prepare the dipping sauce. Melt the remaining 1/2 cup of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  7. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley.
  8. Serve the hot lemon pepper crab legs immediately with the warm garlic butter sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

  • If you prefer steaming, place the seasoned crab legs in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 6 to 8 minutes until heated through.
  • For extra zest, add the zest of one lemon to the basting mixture.
  • You can buy pre-made lemon pepper seasoning or mix your own using equal parts coarse black pepper and kosher salt, plus dried lemon zest.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/lemon-pepper-dungeness-crab-legs-recipe/