Grilled crab legs make for a delicious summertime meal. The smoky char-grilled flavor takes crab to new heights. Grilling also intensifies the natural sweetness of the crab meat making it an indulgent treat. But to achieve perfect results it’s important to know exactly how long to cook crab legs on the grill.
Follow this guide to learn how to select and prepare crab legs for grilling. We’ll provide instructions for grilling different types of crab legs including king crab, snow crab, and Dungeness crab. You’ll also find tips on how long to cook each variety of crab leg to ensure it turns out tender and juicy every time.
Choosing Crab Legs for Grilling
For the best results, opt for high-quality frozen crab legs that are pre-cooked. This locks in flavor and makes prep easier. Popular choices like king crab, snow crab, and Dungeness crab work wonderfully on the grill. Here’s a quick overview:
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King crab legs – Known for their generous size, succulent meat, and naturally sweet taste. The longest legs will have the most meat.
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Snow crab legs – More budget-friendly but still tasty. The legs are thinner with a bit less meat than king crab.
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Dungeness crab legs – Smaller legs but exceptionally sweet, tender meat. The thin shells cook up fast on the grill.
Thaw and Prepare Crab Legs Before Cooking
Always thaw frozen crab legs fully before tossing them on the grill. This allows the heat to penetrate the meat evenly.
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For quick thawing, place legs in a colander and run cool water over them for 15-30 minutes.
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For slower thawing, keep legs in the fridge 8-12 hours or overnight.
Once thawed, use immediately or store in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Before grilling, rinse legs and pat dry. Lightly coat the shells in oil to prevent sticking. Season lightly with seafood seasoning if desired.
How Hot Should the Grill Be?
Proper grill temperature is key for perfectly cooked crab legs. Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, around 400°F. The grates should be hot enough that a drop of water sizzles and evaporates right away. Be sure to scrub the grates clean so crab legs don’t stick.
Grilling Times for Different Types of Crab Legs
Grilling times can vary a bit depending on the size and type of crab legs. Follow these guidelines to nail the timing every time.
Grilling King Crab Legs
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Grill king crab legs for a total of 14-18 minutes.
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Place legs flesh-side down and grill for 7-9 minutes until shells just start browning.
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Flip legs and grill 7-9 minutes more on the shell side.
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Check for doneness by separating shell slightly to look for opaque white meat throughout.
Grilling Snow Crab Legs
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Snow crab legs will take 10-14 minutes total owing to their petite size.
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Grill flesh-side down for 5-7 minutes.
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Flip and grill 5-7 minutes more until meat is opaque throughout.
Grilling Dungeness Crab Legs
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Since they’re the smallest, Dungeness crab legs grill the fastest in just 6-10 minutes total.
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Grill flesh-side down for 3-5 minutes.
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Flip and grill 3-5 more minutes until cooked through.
Pro Tips for Perfect Grilled Crab Legs
Follow these top tips for flawlessly grilled crab legs every time:
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Resist moving legs frequently as this can cause meat to stick and tear. Let them sear undisturbed.
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Use tongs to rotate legs halfway through if one side is cooking faster.
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Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of meat to check doneness. It should reach 140°F.
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Watch legs closely near the end of grilling time. They go from perfect to overdone quickly.
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Allow cooked legs to rest 5 minutes before digging in. This allows heat to distribute evenly.
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Serve hot off the grill with melted butter, lemon wedges, or dipping sauces. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.
Now that you know exactly how long to cook different types of crab legs on the grill, you can master this impressive appetizer. Adjust cooking times as needed based on the size of legs. With a little practice, you’ll be an expert in grilling up tender, succulent crab legs all summer long.
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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!
Chargrilled Blue Crabs | Might be my new favorite way to make crabs!
FAQ
How long do you grill crab legs for?
Grilling crab legs usually takes 5-10 minutes per side at medium-high heat (350-400°F), or until the meat is heated through. Preheating the grill to 350-400°F and brushing the crab legs with oil to prevent sticking are recommended.
How long does it take to cook crabs on the grill?
Grill the crabs for 5-10 minutes per side until the shells turn bright red. You can grill blue crabs over hardwood, charcoal, or even on a gas grill with a small foil packet of wood chips for a little smoke. They don’t take long, five to 10 minutes per side, depending on the heat of the fire and the size of the crab.
Can you grill snow crab legs in foil?
For extra flavor, you can wrap them loosely in aluminum foil to trap the steam. Place the crab legs shell-side down on the preheated grill. Cook for 4-5 minutes to allow the shells to get slightly charred. Turn the crab legs over and baste them with more seasoned butter.
How to cook crab legs on a barbecue?
Instructions. Preheat a grill to medium heat, about 350-400f. Spitz the crab clusters with oil, then place them onto the grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes, then flip and cook a further 6-8 minutes on the other side, or until the meat is heated through.