The Ultimate Guide to Grilling Succulent King Crab Legs

King crab legs are a delicacy that many people love but don’t make often because they seem intimidating to cook. However, grilling king crab legs is actually quite simple if you follow a few basic steps. With the right techniques, you can have tender, juicy, flavorful king crab legs coming off your grill in no time.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know to grill king crab legs like a pro. From thawing and preparing to seasoning and grilling, we’ve got you covered with easy-to-follow instructions, helpful tips, and mouthwatering recipes. Read on to learn the secrets of how to perfectly grill these impressive crustaceans right in your own backyard.

Getting Started: Thawing and Preparing the King Crab Legs

The first step is making sure your king crab legs are properly thawed. The best way is to place them in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. Don’t try quick-thawing methods like the microwave or running water, as these can start cooking the crab, resulting in mushy meat.

Once thawed, give the legs a rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels Use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to cut the shell lengthwise. This exposes more surface area for absorbing flavor and lets heat penetrate better

Lightly coat both sides of each leg with olive oil or melted butter This prevents sticking and keeps the meat moist during grilling Feel free to sprinkle on some Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or other spices now if you want extra flavor.

Setting Up the Grill for Perfectly Cooked Crab

The next key step is properly preheating your grill. You’ll want medium-high heat, around 375°F to 400°F. This allows the crab legs to char nicely on the outside while cooking gently inside.

For a charcoal grill, let the coals get hot and covered with gray ash. On a gas grill, preheat for 10-15 minutes. You want the grates hot enough to sear the shell, but not so hot that the meat overcooks.

Place the legs flesh-side down on the grates. Grill for 4-5 minutes before flipping carefully with tongs. Cook another 4-5 minutes on the shell side. Listen for a light cracking sound as the shells heat up.

Pro Tip: Baste the legs with a bit more butter or oil a few times as they cook to keep the meat moist and full of flavor.

Judging Doneness Like an Expert

With shellfish like king crab legs, judging doneness takes some finesse. Here’s what to look for:

• Shells turn bright red-orange

• Meat opacity changes from translucent to milk white

• Meat feels firm yet yields slightly when pressed

• Thickest part of legs are hot throughout

• Shell sections crack and lift away from meat

The total grilling time is usually 8-12 minutes. If unsure, cut into a leg to check the center is opaque. Don’t overcook, as the meat can dry out.

Serving Up Your Grilled King Crab Legs

Once grilled to tender perfection, transfer the legs to a platter. Provide small hammers, shell crackers, and picks for easily extracting the succulent meat.

Serve with lemon wedges, clarified butter, and dipping sauces like aioli or mustard-horseradish sauce. A crisp white wine or light beer makes the ideal beverage pairing.

Accompany the crab with grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, rice pilaf or crusty bread. Now relax and enjoy the fruits of your grilling labor—the sweet, smoky flavor of tender king crab straight off the barbecue!

Grilling King Crab Legs in Foil Packets

For moist, flavorful meat infused with your favorite flavors, try this foil packet method.

Lay out two sheets of heavy-duty foil per packet. Place legs in the center and add pats of butter, fresh herbs, garlic, citrus slices, and any spices.

Seal the packets tightly. Grill over direct medium heat, flipping once halfway through. Cook 15-20 minutes, until the meat is opaque.

The steam inside the packets gently cooks the crab to juicy perfection. Kids and those newer to cracking crab love these individual self-contained packets.

Handy Tips for Grilling King Crab Leg Success

• Always grill thawed crab legs—never straight from frozen.

• Cut slits in legs before grilling to allow seasoning and heat to penetrate better.

• Grill over direct medium-high heat for best results.

• Baste with butter or oil while grilling to keep the meat moist and flavorful.

• Judge doneness by shell color, meat opacity, and slight yielding when pressed.

• Resist the urge to overcook—king crab can become rubbery if cooked too long.

• Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, and dipping sauces for the full experience.

Troubleshooting Common Grilling Mistakes

Having a few issues getting perfect results when grilling those prized king crab legs? Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Problem: Shells are sticking and tearing meat

Solution: Always coat legs with oil or butter before grilling

Problem: Meat is dried out and chewy

Solution: Don’t overcook. Judge doneness carefully.

Problem: Legs are underdone in the center

Solution: Allow proper grill time for thickness of legs

Problem: Leg meat has no flavor

Solution: Cut slits in shell before grilling to allow seasoning penetration

Avoiding these pitfalls will help you grill incredible king crab legs every single time.

Grilled King Crab Leg Recipes

Ready to get grilling? Try these delicious recipes that put succulent crab legs to tasty use:

Garlic Lemon Grilled King Crab Legs

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs king crab legs, thawed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1⁄4 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine olive oil, garlic, lemon zest and juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush mixture over crab legs.

2. Grill legs over direct medium-high heat, basting with garlic-lemon mixture often. Cook 8-10 minutes per side.

3. Serve with lemon wedges.

Cajun Spiced Grilled King Crab Legs

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs king crab legs, thawed and slit
• 1⁄4 cup melted butter
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika

Instructions:

1. Mix melted butter and spices in a small bowl. Brush mixture all over crab legs.

2. Grill legs flesh-side down first over direct medium-high heat for 5 minutes per side.

3. Serve with hot sauce or remoulade sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions about Grilling King Crab Legs

How long does it take to grill king crab legs?

8-12 minutes total is ideal, cooking 4-5 minutes per side over direct medium-high heat. Thickness of legs affects cook time. Judge doneness by shell color, meat opacity, and slight yielding when pressed.

Should you boil or grill king crab legs?

Either method works well. Boiling takes a bit longer but infuses flavor into the meat. Grilling is faster and adds nice char flavor but can dry out the meat if overcooked. It comes down to personal preference.

What is the best temperature to grill king crab legs?

Medium-high heat, around 375°F to 400°F, allows the shells to char while gently cooking the meat. Too high a temperature risks drying out the crab.

Can you grill king crab legs from frozen?

It’s best to thaw legs fully in the fridge 12-24 hours before grilling. Thawed legs absorb more flavor and cook more evenly. Grilling frozen legs requires adjusting time and temperature.

What is the easiest way to eat king crab legs?

Serving with shell crackers, small hammers, and picks makes eating the legs much easier. Cutting through the shell before grilling also exposes more meat for simpler eating.

Grilling succulent, flavorful king crab legs is easy with these techniques. In less than 15 minutes, you can have an impressive, restaurant-quality meal hot off the grill. Use this guide for tender, juicy results every time. Fire up the barbecue and enjoy king crab like never before!