There’s nothing better than these crab legs on the grill! If you want to cook your own crab legs at home, use this recipe for seasoned garlic butter. They’ll be the best grill crab legs you ever have. I guarantee it.
For seafood lovers, a medley of tender succulent crab legs is one of life’s greatest indulgences. While boiling and steaming are common cooking methods, grilling crab legs lends them a wonderfully smoky depth of flavor. The primal sizzle of the grill transforms ordinary crab into an unforgettable feast.
Grilling works beautifully for pre-cooked king crab, snow crab and Dungeness crab legs. With a few simple tips, you can master grilled crab legs and wow your family and friends with these spectacular summer favorites.
Is Grilling Crab Legs Possible?
Absolutely! Grilling gives pre-cooked crab legs a blast of smoky flavor. The high dry heat of the grill also firms up the texture and intensifies all the briny sweetness of the crabmeat.
Grilling works best for legs that have been pre-cooked either via steaming, boiling or processing. Raw crab legs would be unsafe to just throw right on the grill. Always start with fully cooked crab legs purchased pre-cooked.
If the leg shells appear bright red, that indicates they’ve been cooked previously. Grilling simply heats them back up for serving while adding that scrumptious char and smokiness.
Top Tips for Grilling Crab Legs Like a Pro
Grilling crab legs takes just minutes, but these tips will help you maximize flavor and avoid pitfalls:
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If using frozen legs, thaw them completely first. Thawing overnight in the fridge is ideal.
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For enhanced flavor, spray or brush legs with oil or melted butter before grilling.
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Grill over direct high heat for 4-8 minutes total, turning frequently.
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Keep the narrow leg tips on the cooler areas of the grill so they don’t burn.
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Legs cook faster when separated versus clumped. Adjust times accordingly.
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Use a grill basket or foil packets if your grate bars are too wide.
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Check for doneness early to avoid overcooking and dryness.
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Let legs rest 5 minutes before serving with melted butter for dunking.
How to Grill Uncooked Crab Legs
For raw, uncooked crab legs, steaming or boiling is best. But you can toss them quickly on the grill after cooking them through via one of these methods:
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Parboil legs for 4-5 minutes until shells turn red.
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Steam legs for 8-10 minutes until shells redden.
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Boil or steam legs fully until meat is opaque.
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Grill legs for 1-2 minutes per side over high heat just to add flavor.
Don’t grill raw crab legs over direct heat for long or they’ll be undercooked and unsafe. Parcook them first via boiling, steaming or parboiling before grilling briefly to add smoky char.
Grilled Crab Legs Recipe Inspiration
Beyond basic grilled crab legs, creative recipes take them to the next level. Here are some sensational ways to grill crab legs:
Simple Garlic Butter Grilled Crab Legs
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Brush thawed, pre-cooked legs with melted garlic butter before and after grilling.
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Grill over high direct heat 4-6 minutes until heated through, turning frequently.
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Serve with lemon wedges and extra melted garlic butter for dipping.
Spicy Cajun Grilled Crab Legs
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Toss legs in a mixture of melted butter, Cajun seasoning and hot sauce.
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Grill 4-6 minutes over direct high heat, turning occasionally.
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Serve with lemon wedges and extra spicy butter sauce for dipping.
Grilled Crab Legs with Compound Butter
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Whip together softened butter with herbs, citrus, garlic, chili flakes, etc.
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Brush compound butter before, during and after grilling.
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Grill 4-8 minutes until hot, keeping narrow leg parts on cooler grill areas.
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Serve legs topped with extra flavored butter.
Grilled King Crab Legs
For tender, meaty king crab legs:
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Thaw large legs completely before grilling.
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Brush with olive oil or butter before grilling.
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Grill over direct medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, turning frequently.
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Take care not to overcook and dry out the prized meat.
Grilled Dungeness Crab Legs
Preferred prep for plump Dungeness legs:
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Thaw overnight if frozen, keeping chilled.
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Split the body and legs for quicker grilling.
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Splay legs out flat to expose more surface area to the grill.
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Grill over direct high heat 4-6 minutes until hot, glazing with butter.
Handy Grilled Crab Leg Tips to Know
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Bristly grill brushes or grill baskets help keep crab legs from falling between grates.
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Choose milder woods like alder or apple for smoking to complement the crab.
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Let crab legs rest 5 minutes after grilling before serving or the meat can dry out.
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Accompany grilled legs with lemon wedges, clarified butter, aioli or other dipping sauces.
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Refrigerate grilled leftovers up to 4 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Common Grilled Crab Leg Questions
Can you grill frozen crab legs?
Yes, but thaw them completely first. Grilling frozen legs directly could lead to undercooked, unsafe meat.
Do you need to split crab legs before grilling?
Splitting helps expose more surface area. But keeping them whole works too with increased grill times.
How long should you grill pre-cooked crab legs?
4-8 minutes over direct high heat is perfect, turning frequently. Thinner leg sections cook fastest.
Do you need to add oil or butter before grilling?
Oiling or buttering the legs isn’t mandatory but provides added flavor and moisture.
What temperature should you grill crab legs?
Aim for 450-500°F direct heat. Lower heat risks undercooking, while higher heat overcooks the delicate meat.
Is grilled crab as good as steamed or boiled?
It’s just as tender but with bonus smoky flavor from the grill!
Enjoy the Sizzle of Grilled Crab All Summer Long
Grilling pre-cooked crab legs is an easy way to add flavor and flair to this sublime seafood. With the proper prep and techniques, you can master grilled crab legs in all their smoky glory.
Keep the tips and guidelines above in mind for flawlessly grilled crab legs your whole family will rave about. Then explore fun additions, dips and sides to take them to the next level.
From backyards to beach parties, make crab the star of your summertime grilling. The savory sizzle of king crab, snow crab or Dungeness over an open fire simply can’t be beat.
Can You Grill Crab Legs?
Most folks are familiar with boiling or steaming crab legs. This method works fine, but grilling them with garlic butter that has been seasoned will change the way you think about crab legs.
Yes, you can most definitely grill crab legs. The char from the grill imparts amazing flavor, and the process is easy and straightforward.
How to Grill Crab Legs
These crab legs make the perfect holiday meal or anytime you’re looking for a fancier meal. It’s definitely our go-to special occasion recipe. Here’s the 411 on how to grill crab legs:
- Split the legs. Start by cutting the crab legs in half along their length. Your fishmonger may sell the legs already split, or they may be happy to do it for you. If you have strong hands and good kitchen shears, you can also split the legs yourself. For the best flavor, split the legs before putting them on the grill. It lets the flavors of the fire and the seasoned butter get into the sweet crab meat.
- Season. Melted butter, chopped basil, garlic, lemon juice, and Sweet Rub are all things that you need to make the seasoned garlic butter. Spoon the butter over the exposed crab meat. Set the rest aside to serve with the grilled crab.
- Grill. Once your gas or charcoal grill is hot (225 degrees F), put the crab legs on the grates with the shell side down. Cover the grill and cook for about 30 minutes.
- Enjoy. Move the crab legs from the grill to a serving platter. Serve right away with the seasoned garlic butter that you saved and another bowl of melted butter. Dig in!.
Char-Grilled King Crab Legs
Can you cook crab legs on a grill?
Grilled Crab Legs is such a treat in the summer, this foolproof recipe is so easy and works with king crab legs, Dungeness crab legs and snow crab legs! Heat grill to medium-high. Spritz crab legs all over with olive oil spray and place on hot grill. Cover and cook about 7 minutes on each side, or until the meat in the center is heated through.
What is grilled king crab legs with garlic butter sauce?
Grilled king crab legs with garlic butter sauce are huge, juicy, and succulent pieces of crab meat that are grilled to perfection. Served with an addictingly delicious garlic butter sauce. Since you love seafood, check out this recipe for a garlic butter seafood boil, and the full recipe for the garlic butter seafood boil sauce.
How long do you cook king crab legs on a grill?
Once the grill is at temperature, transfer each piece of the crab legs to the grill. Close the lid and cook for seven minutes. Open the grill and flip each piece of the crab legs. Grill an additional five minutes. Remove the king crab and place on a dish. How long does it take to cook crab legs?
Do crab legs cook faster if grilled?
Individual crab legs will always cook faster than legs that are still grouped together by the lower segment of the body. – Like most grilled meats, the crab will continue to cook after it’s been removed from the heat. Don’t be tempted to leave the legs on the fire too long.