### Instructions:
1. Thaw the crab legs: If using frozen crab legs, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or by running them under cold water for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the garlic butter: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
3. Add seasonings: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
4. Prepare the crab legs for cooking: Using kitchen shears or a shell cracker, carefully cut down the length of the crab leg shells to make it easier to access the meat after cooking. You can also optionally crack the claws.
5. Cook the crab legs:
* **Steaming:** Place a steamer basket in a large pot with about 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a boil. Arrange the crab legs in the steamer basket, cover, and steam for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
* **Baking:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the crab legs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush generously with some of the garlic butter sauce. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until heated through.
6. Serve: Transfer the hot crab legs to a large platter. Drizzle generously with the remaining garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges for squeezing.
### Short Tips:
* **Don’t overcook:** Crab legs are already cooked when you purchase them (unless you buy live crab), so you just need to heat them through. Overcooking can make the meat tough.
* **Customize your spice:** Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preferred level of heat.
* **Make ahead:** The garlic butter sauce can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Gently reheat before serving.
* **Serving suggestion:** Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up all that delicious garlic butter! A simple green salad or roasted vegetables would also make a great side.
