Grilling crab legs is a fantastic way to enjoy sweet, tender crab meat during the summer The high heat of the grill caramelizes the natural sugars in the shells, adding tons of flavor At the same time, the dry heat gently warms the delicate crab meat inside without making it rubbery.
Knowing exactly how long to cook crab legs on the grill is essential for achieving the best results Undercook them and the meat will be gummy and raw But let them go too long over direct heat and they’ll be chalky and dry,
Follow this complete guide to learn how long you should grill different types of crab legs. We’ll also cover tips for selecting the best crab legs, proper thawing and prep, and how to tell when they’re done.
Selecting High-Quality Crab Legs for Grilling
The type of crab legs you select will impact the grilling time. Some of the best varieties for grilling include:
-
King crab legs: Prized for their large size, tender texture, and sweet flavor. The longest legs will have the most meat.
-
Snow crab legs: More budget-friendly but still tasty. The legs are thinner than king crab.
-
Dungeness crab legs: Smaller legs but sweeter meat. The thin shells make them quick to grill.
No matter the variety, look for crab legs sold pre-cooked and frozen. This locks in freshness and guarantees safety. Thawing and grilling pre-cooked legs gently warms them without overcooking the meat.
Proper Thawing and Prepping Technique
Proper thawing and prep ensures crab legs cook evenly from edge to edge:
-
Thaw legs completely before grilling either in the refrigerator 8-12 hours or by running under cool water for 15-30 minutes.
-
Rinse legs and pat dry. Use a brush to coat shells with oil to prevent sticking.
-
Season lightly with Old Bay, lemon pepper, or other crab seasoning if desired. Avoid over-seasoning.
-
Preheat grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F. The grates should be hot enough to make a water droplet sizzle and evaporate quickly.
Grilling Time Based on Crab Leg Type
Grilling time can vary slightly based on the size and variety of crab legs:
Grilling King Crab Legs
-
Place legs flesh-side down on hot grill.
-
Grill for 7-9 minutes until shells start browning.
-
Flip legs and grill 7-9 minutes more on shell-side.
-
Check for opaque, white meat throughout when gently pulling shell apart.
-
Total grilling time: 14-18 minutes
Grilling Snow Crab Legs
-
Place legs flesh-side down and grill 5-7 minutes.
-
Flip and grill 5-7 minutes more until meat is opaque.
-
Total grilling time: 10-14 minutes
Grilling Dungeness Crab Legs
-
Grill legs flesh-side down for 3-5 minutes.
-
Flip and grill 3-5 minutes more until cooked through.
-
Total grilling time: 6-10 minutes
Tips for Grilling Crab Legs Like a Pro
Follow these tips for perfect crab legs hot off the grill every time:
-
Resist moving legs frequently which can tear meat. Rotate halfway if needed.
-
For doneness, insert a meat thermometer into thickest part of meat. It should reach 140°F.
-
Watch legs closely near the end of grilling time. It’s easy to overcook.
-
Let crab legs rest 5 minutes before cracking open to allow heat to distribute evenly.
-
Serve hot with melted butter, lemon wedges, or dipping sauces. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.
Master the Technique for Backyard Brilliance
Armed with this knowledge, you can grill crab legs like a pro. Adjust cooking times based on the size and type of legs you select. It may take some trial and error to get the timing just right.
The preparation is quick since the legs come pre-cooked. All you need to do is thaw, oil, and toss them on a hot grill. Have plenty of napkins, melted butter, and icy drinks ready when guests arrive. Enjoy this impressive appetizer or entree all summer long.
Recipe “There is a reason its called the King of crab. This Red Alaskan King Crab is grilled over live fire and basted in a compound butter”For more on Joe DiApice / BBQFriend visit:
- 3 lb Market House Alaskan Red King Crab Legs
- 1 Stick Butter
- 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- FUEL
- Jealous Devil Chunx XL Lump Charcoal
- Fire Up The Grill – Fire up the grill for high heat direct cooking. Add your 1qt FINEX Cast Iron Sauce Pot to warm up.
- Prep the Legs – Cut and remove half of the shell from each of the legs. This will make a boat for the crab meat to heat up in delicious compound butter.
- Start Cooking! – Add your crab legs shell side down over direct heat to cook. Add a stick of butter into the 1qt FINEX Cast Iron Sauce Pot and when melted, add the Italian seasoning. Baste the crab meat with the melted compound butter until the IT of the crab meat hits 145F.
- Eat – Remove everything from the heat and enjoy these delicious crab legs!
Your cart is empty
log In to check out faster.
Char-Grilled King Crab Legs
FAQ
How long should I grill crab legs?
Grilled crab legs typically cook for 4-10 minutes per side, depending on the type of crab and desired doneness, according to several cooking websites.
How to steam crab legs on grill on gas grill?
- Ensure grill grates are clean and bring grill to medium-high heat.
- Place crab legs over direct heat and close the lid. Let cook 5-7 minutes.
- Open grill and flip. Close lid and let cook another 4-5 minutes or until they are warmed through.
- Remove from grill and serve immediately with melted butter or ghee.
Is it better to steam or grill crab legs?
The Verdict Both methods of cooking crab legs took about the same amount of time, with the griddle method being slightly faster. It’s a close call, but the grill wins out! You just can’t beat the flavor that comes from cooking over an open flame. Watch the video below to see how you can make crab legs at home!
How to barbecue crab legs in foil?
Nestle the crab, in the foil pan, on a bed of Cowboy Hickory Wood Chunks. Close the lid and let the crab smoke for 5 minutes with the lid closed and then open the grill to cook until the crab is heated through about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How long do you cook crab legs on a grill?
Though it might seem easy, there are a couple of other aspects to consider when grilling crab legs, such as knowing when your crab legs are ready and what you can add to your cooked crab legs. Grilling crab legs involves preheating the grill, oiling the crab legs, grilling them for 7 minutes per side, and removing them from heat.
What temperature do you cook crab legs on a grill?
Thse crab legs are best cooked over indirect heat (meaning no fire or coals directly under the crab legs) with the overall temperature of the grill hovering around 225 degrees F. If you need a refresher on preparing your grill for indirect heat cooking, refer to my post on How to Cook with Two-Zone Grilling.
How long to cook king crab legs?
Add lemon wedges, melted butter, or dipping sauce. Now dig into the sweet, smoky seafood! So for tender, juicy king crab legs off the grill, allow 8-12 minutes over direct high heat, or 15-20 minutes indirect, depending on whether they are thawed and cut. Checking appearance and texture will confirm when they’re perfectly done.
How do you Grill snow crab legs?
Having the right grilling tools on hand makes achieving snow crab leg perfection much easier: Tongs – Essential for safely flipping the legs halfway through grilling without burning your fingers. Look for ones at least 12 inches long. Basting brush – Use to coat legs with oil or melted butter before grilling. Silicone brushes withstand heat well.
How long do you cook crab legs in foil?
Cut slits in the bottom shell before sealing to expose more meat. Grill foil packets over direct medium heat with lid closed. Cook approximately 15-20 minutes, turning packets halfway through. Check for doneness by opening a packet and inspecting the crab legs. Be careful when opening the foil as hot steam will release.
How long do you cook split crab legs?
Place the split crab legs on the grill grates, shell side down. Close the lid and cook for 25-30 minutes or until the crab is heated through. Enjoy. Serve immediately with more of the hot, melted seasoned butter and fresh lemon wedges.