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.
Snow crab legs are a delicious treat that every seafood lover enjoys. Their sweet, succulent meat tastes amazing when cooked properly. But can you throw snow crab legs right on the grill for a quick and easy meal? Absolutely! Grilling snow crab brings out incredible flavor and is easier than you may think.
Why Grill Snow Crab Legs?
Grilling is one of the best cooking methods for snow crab legs. The high dry heat helps intensify the sweetness of the crab meat. Grilling also adds great smoky barbecue flavor from the char. The heat firms up the texture, making the crab meat easier to extract. No pots or pans to wash also makes grilling crab legs a breeze.
Choosing Snow Crab Legs for Grilling
Pretty much any type of crab legs can be grilled, but snow crab legs are a top choice. Snow crab legs are widely available and more affordable than king crab legs. Their long thin shape makes snow crab legs perfect for laying flat on the grill. The leg meat also holds up well to grilling without drying out. For best results choose legs that are similar in size for even cooking.
How to Grill Snow Crab Legs Perfectly
Follow these simple steps for grilled snow crab legs that come out tender juicy and full of flavor every time.
Thaw Completely
Never throw frozen crab legs directly on the grill! Make sure crab legs are fully thawed before grilling. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
Prep the Grill
Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F to 400°F. The grates should be hot enough to instantly start searing the crab legs. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
Season the Legs
Brush thawed crab legs all over with melted butter or olive oil. Sprinkle with Old Bay, lemon pepper, garlic powder or other seasonings. Seasonings give added flavor.
Grill Quickly
Place legs directly on the grill grates. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side, flipping once. Crab legs have a thin shell and cook fast. They should turn bright red-orange when done.
Check for Doneness
Use tongs to peek at the meat. Once the crab meat is hot and opaque all the way through, they’re ready. Overcooking makes the meat dry and rubbery.
Crack and Enjoy!
Use a mallet or small hammer to crack open the legs. Pick out the succulent meat with a fork or crab cracker tool. Enjoy dipped in melted butter!
Grilling Tips for Perfect Snow Crab Every Time
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If legs flare up, move them to a cooler part of the grill. Keep an eye on them as they cook quickly.
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Grill similar sized legs together for even cooking. Cut extra large legs in half.
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Bend legs before grilling so they lay flat against the grates. This prevents overcharring.
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Use a digital thermometer to check doneness. Meat should reach 145°F.
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Let legs rest for 5 minutes after grilling before cracking open. This allows heat to distribute evenly.
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Serve grilled snow crab legs hot with melted butter, lemon wedges, garlic aioli or your favorite sauce for dipping.
Best Practices for Food Safety
Proper handling prevents foodborne illness when grilling seafood. Follow these tips:
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Always thaw frozen crab legs fully in the fridge before grilling. Do not thaw at room temp.
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Use a separate clean plate and tongs for raw and cooked crab legs to prevent cross-contamination.
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Cook crab legs to an internal temperature of at least 145°F as measured by a food thermometer.
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Refrigerate grilled leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days. Reheat fully to 165°F.
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Discard any crab legs that smell unpleasant or look slimy. When in doubt, throw it out!
Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Crab
Grilled snow crab legs make fantastic leftovers! Here are some delicious ways to use up leftover grilled crab meat:
- Toss with pasta, olive oil, lemon, garlic, and parsley for a simple crab pasta salad
- Fold into omelets, frittatas or scrambled eggs for a decadent crab breakfast
- Stuff into avocados for a tasty crab stuffed avocado appetizer
- Mix with mayo, celery, and spices for an awesome crab salad sandwich filling
- Add to tacos, ceviche, soups, risottos, and more
- Sprinkle over a garden salad for an elegant composed salad
Grilled Snow Crab Legs = Easy Entertaining
Grilling snow crab legs takes minimal time and effort yet yields incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful results everyone will love. Simply prep, season, and grill for an effortless appetizer or entree. Serve cracked legs with melted butter, fresh lemon, and grilled corn on the cob for an easy summer meal. Your guests will be impressed with your grilling skills without spending hours in the kitchen!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best snow crab legs for grilling?
The best snow crab legs for grilling are unbroken legs between 5-7 inches long. Legs that are similar in size will cook evenly. Reputable seafood brands like Trident and Orca Bay have excellent snow crab.
How long should I grill snow crab legs?
Snow crab legs only need 2-3 minutes per side over direct medium-high heat. Check for doneness after 4-6 minutes total. Overcooking makes the meat dry and rubbery.
Can I grill king crab legs?
Absolutely! King crab legs with their thicker shell and meatier claws grill up beautifully. Follow the same method as snow crab legs, grilling for about 3 minutes per side.
Should I season the crab legs before grilling?
Yes, seasoning the crab legs is highly recommended. Melted butter, Old Bay, lemon pepper, garlic powder, paprika, dry ranch mix or cajun seasoning all add great flavor.
Is it safe to eat cold grilled crab?
Cooked crab legs should be eaten fresh off the grill or reheated to 165°F for food safety. Cold leftover crab meat should be used within 3-4 days and reheated fully before serving.
What temperature should I grill snow crab legs?
The grill should be around 375-400°F for snow crab legs. This high heat quickly sears the outside while cooking the crab meat through. Monitor temperature with a grill thermometer.
Grilled snow crab legs make for an easy, fun meal the whole family will love. Follow these simple tips for tender, juicy, flavorful crab legs off the grill. Just be sure to have plenty of melted butter on hand for dipping!
Grilled King Crab Legs
It rarely feels like Christmas without a platter of steaming grilled crab legs alongside my traditional prime rib. The holidays are begging for a fancy entree, and these grilled crab legs fit the bill!.
Even though I like cooking king crab legs, you can use Dungeness or snow crab legs instead. If you use snow crab legs, you can follow the same time and temperature instructions as in the recipe below. However, before grilling, toss the whole clusters of crab legs in the seasoned butter instead of breaking them up into smaller pieces. Serve with more seasoned butter for dipping. Oh, and don’t forget the napkins! Serve these with lots and lots of napkins.
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.