how to cook snow crab legs on the grill

How to Cook Snow Crab Legs on the Grill A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking snow crab legs on the grill is a fantastic way to enjoy this delicious seafood. The high, dry heat helps bring out the sweet, briny flavor of the crab, while infusing it with a lovely smoky aroma.

Grilling crab legs is surprisingly easy and quick – no need for giant pots of boiling water! With just 10-15 minutes on a hot grill you can have tender juicy snow crab legs ready for dipping in melted butter.

In this simple guide, you’ll learn how to cook snow crab legs on the grill perfectly every time. We’ll go over:

• The benefits of grilling vs. boiling crab legs
• Tips for choosing good snow crab legs
• How to properly thaw frozen crab legs
• Seasoning and preparing the crab for the grill
• Step-by-step grilling instructions
• How to tell when they’re done
• Serving suggestions for your grilled crab legs

So get ready to enjoy one of summer’s tastiest treats, right off your backyard grill!

Why Grill Snow Crab Legs?

There are a few key advantages to grilling crab legs versus boiling them:

• It’s faster – no waiting for a huge pot of water to come to a boil. The crab legs cook directly on the hot grill grates in just 10-15 minutes.

• More flavor – the char and smokiness from the grill adds incredible depth of flavor.

• Less messy – grilling contained on the grill means fewer pots and pans to clean up. No boiling over water!

• Fun, impressive presentation – bring the crab legs right to the table on a platter, grilled side up.

Grilling does require a little more attention than boiling, as crab can overcook quickly. But following the tips in this guide will ensure perfect crab off your grill every time.

Choosing Snow Crab Legs

When buying snow crab legs for grilling, here are a few things to look for:

• Size – choose legs that are all roughly the same size, so they’ll cook evenly. Legs should be at least 5 inches long.

• Color – opt for legs with a vibrant reddish-orange shell, which indicates freshness. Avoid any with black spots.

• Weight – heavier legs will have more meat inside. Feel for ones that seem dense and solid.

• Price – expect to pay $8-$15 per pound. Legs can be expensive but make a special treat.

• Source – check for sustainability certifications like MSC or BAP. Ask where and when the crab was caught.

Buying frozen crab legs is fine, as we’ll thaw them before grilling. Just make sure they are unseasoned and shell-on for the best results.

Thawing Frozen Crab Legs

If using frozen snow crab legs, here is the safest way to thaw them:

• Place legs in a colander or bowl and run under cold water until thawed, about 20-30 minutes. This is the quickest method.

• Thaw overnight in the fridge if you have time. Put legs in a bowl or pan to catch drips.

• Never thaw crab legs at room temperature, as bacteria can grow rapidly.

The crab legs should be fully thawed before grilling but can still feel very cold. Pat dry well with paper towels before cooking.

Seasoning and Prepping the Crab Legs

Snow crab legs just need a little seasoning before hitting the grill. Here are two easy seasoning options:

1. Brush with olive oil or melted butter, then sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika, lemon pepper, and salt.

2. Brush legs with a sauce made of melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Cajun seasoning.

Let any seasoning soak in while you preheat the grill to 375-400°F. Be sure to oil the grill grates right before adding the crab.

You can also score or cut the shell prior to grilling. Use kitchen shears to cut slits along the bottom side. This allows heat to penetrate better.

Grilling Step-by-Step

Follow these simple steps for perfectly grilled snow crab every time:

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, 375-400°F. Lightly oil the grates.

2. Place crab legs top-side down onto the hot grill grates. Grill for 5-7 minutes until shells turn bright red.

3. Flip legs over using tongs. Grill for another 4-5 minutes on the bottom side.

4. Check for doneness (see tips below). Legs should reach an internal temperature of 140°F.

5. Immediately remove legs from grill once cooked through. Serve piping hot.

To prevent overcooking, keep the grill lid open while cooking. This allows you to easily monitor doneness.

Test for Doneness

Snow crab legs cook quickly on the grill, so pay close attention. Here are ways to test when they’re done:

• Shell color turns bright red all over

• Meat firms up and turns opaque white

• Internal temperature reads 140°F

• Juices run clear when splitting open

• Total cook time is 8-12 minutes

Err on the side of slightly undercooked, as you can always put them back on the grill for a minute or two. Overcooked crab will be rubbery and dry.

Get Creative with Flavors

Grilled snow crab legs are delicious on their own, but you can also experiment with unique flavors. Try brushing or dipping legs in:

• Lime juice and chili powder

• Brown butter and fresh herbs

• Harissa and lime

• Mango habanero sauce

• Spicy mayo made with sriracha

• Ponzu sauce and sesame oil

The grill helps bring out the natural sweetness of snow crab. Infusing with global flavors takes the taste to the next level!

Serving Grilled Snow Crab Legs

After grilling, transfer legs to a serving platter. Here are some tasty ways to serve your snow crab:

• With melted butter for dipping

• Over fresh corn salad or slaw

• On toasted bread as open-faced sandwiches

• With charred lemons and grilled asparagus

• On top of garlic noodle salad

• In lettuce wraps or soft tacos

• Over rice with avocado and mango salsa

Pairing grilled crab with bright, acidic flavors helps cut through the rich taste. And don’t forget the bibs, wet wipes, and claw crackers!

Snow Crab Leg Recipes for the Grill

To give you some inspiration, here are a few favorite recipes for cooking snow crab legs on the grill:

• Parmesan Snow Crab Legs – legs coated in lemon-Parmesan breadcrumbs

• “Drunken” Garlic Butter Snow Crab – made with bourbon-lemon-garlic butter

• Thai Chili Snow Crab Legs – with sweet Thai chili glaze

• Jerk Snow Crab Legs – Jamaican jerk spice and mango salsa

• Cajun Blackened Snow Crab – spicy Cajun dry rub

Get creative with globally-inspired seasonings to put a unique spin on grilled snow crab. The options are endless!

Grilling FAQs

If you’re new to grilling snow crab legs, here are answers to some common questions:

Can you grill frozen crab legs?

It’s best to fully thaw legs before grilling for even cooking. Grilling frozen legs risks burning the outside before the inside thaws.

What grill is best for crab legs?

You can use charcoal or gas. Just make sure the grates are clean and heated to at least 375°F.

Should crab legs be grilled shell side up or down?

Start shell-side down for 4-5 minutes to help heat penetrate the meat. Then flip shell-side up to finish.

How can I prevent sticking?

Brush both sides with oil before grilling. And don’t move them around too much once on the grill.

What if my crab legs have seasoning?

Rinse off any heavy seasonings, pat dry, brush with olive oil, and add your own seasoning.

Make Any Occasion a Festive Feast

Impress your family and guests at your next summer cookout, beach day, or backyard dinner party by grilling up snow crab legs. They’re the ultimate special occasion food.

Set up a seafood bar with melted butter, lemons, grilled corn, fresh bread – the options are endless. And nothing beats that smoky char and caramelized flavor from the grill!

With this simple, foolproof grilling guide, you’ll be able to cook delicious snow crab legs on the grill anytime. Just remember a few key tips:

• Pick fresh, high-quality legs
• Thaw completely if frozen
• Season simply before grilling
• Grill over direct high heat
• Flip once during cooking
• Remove immediately when done

Now get outside an