How Long Should You Steam King Crab Legs on the Grill for Perfect Results?
Steaming king crab legs on the grill is one of the best ways to enjoy their sweet, succulent meat during the summer grilling season. When cooked over an open flame, the smoky char enhances the natural sweetness of the crab. But knowing exactly how long to steam those crab legs can mean the difference between perfect crab and dried out, rubbery disappointment.
After researching multiple sources and recipes, I’ve determined that the ideal steaming time for king crab legs on the grill is 7-8 minutes per side for a total of 14-16 minutes. This steaming technique gently brings the crab up to temperature without overcooking. Here’s a more in-depth look at how to nail grilled king crab legs every time.
Why Steaming is Essential
Most king crab legs sold in stores are already pre-cooked and frozen for freshness and locking in flavor. So technically, we are just reheating them when we cook the crab legs. Steaming is the best way to evenly reheat the crab meat without drying it out. Exposing the legs directly to an open grill flame can make the meat rubbery and tough. But steaming allows the hot air to surround the shellfish and gently bring up the internal temperature.
How to Steam King Crab Legs on the Grill
Follow these simple steps for foolproof steamed king crab legs off your grill:
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Thaw – Thaw frozen crab overnight in the fridge so it reheats evenly.
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Prep – Clean legs, split shells lengthwise to expose meat.
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Preheat Grill – Get grill hot, around 375°F.
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Arrange – Place legs shell-side down and immediately close lid to trap steam.
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Steam – Keep lid closed and steam 7-8 minutes per side, resisting any urge to flip.
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Check Doneness – Look for opaque, white meat throughout. Should be hot but not overcooked.
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Serve Immediately – Enjoy with melted butter or lemon juice.
The keys are placing the legs shell-down first to create steam, keeping the grill covered, and waiting the full 7-8 minutes before flipping. Resist poking or prodding during the steaming time. Total cooking time should be 14-16 minutes.
How to Tell When They’re Done
Since we’re essentially just reheating pre-cooked crab legs, we don’t need to cook them through entirely. Just sufficiently warm until hot and steaming. Signs they are ready:
- Opaque, white meat, not translucent
- Shells turn bright red
- Meat firms up and flakes apart
- Internal temp reads 165°F
When unsure, it’s better to slightly undercook vs. overcook. You can always grill a minute or two more if needed. But overcooked crab dries out and becomes chewy.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While grilled king crab is easy, it’s helpful to keep these common grilling mistakes in mind:
- Not thawing properly – Thaw overnight in fridge.
- No steaming – Direct heat dries out meat.
- Grilling frozen – Causes uneven cooking.
- Flipping too often – Don’t flip before 7-8 minutes.
- Overcooking – Creates rubbery meat.
- Forgetting seasoning – Salt and pepper before grilling.
- Skipping butter – Makes crab easier to eat.
Tips for Grilled Perfection
Follow these tips and you’ll have tender, juicy grilled king crab legs every time:
- Check doneness early and don’t overcook.
- Use tongs gently when flipping legs.
- Oil grates lightly before grilling.
- Cut slits in shell before cooking to make removing meat easier.
- Chill in an ice bath immediately to stop cooking if needed.
- Allow 1.5-2 lbs per person, depending on appetite.
- Serve with grilled corn, potatoes or a fresh salad.
- Dip in garlic lemon butter for maximum flavor.
- Add subtle smoke by grilling on a cedar plank.
Satisfying Summer Meal
Grilling king crab legs takes summer entertaining up a notch. In around 15 minutes, you’ll have restaurant-quality seafood ready to enjoy outside. Just be sure to steam properly, resist flipping too soon, and don’t overcook. Follow the simple steps above for tender, juicy crab straight off your grill. Then crack open a cold beer or uncork some white wine to pair with the sweet meat. Dunk the crab in lemon butter and savor the tastes of the season. Grilled king crab makes for a quick, easy summer meal that feels like a special occasion.
What You Will Need
- crab legs – grilling works for making any type of crab legs – snow crab, Alaskan king crab, or Dungeness crab.
- melted butter or ghee – used for dipping the crab after it has been grilled to perfection!
Can They Be Overcooked
Yes, if they are left on the grill for too long the meat can become dried out. Most crab legs are pre-cooked so they only need to be reheated.
Char-Grilled King Crab Legs
FAQ
How long to steam king crab legs on grill?
Place the aluminum foil wrapped Alaskan king crab legs directly on an open grill for five to seven minutes, turning them over at least once to ensure they are heated all the way through.
How long does it take to steam 2 lb of king crab legs?
It only takes 6-10 minutes to steam king crab legs and then you have succulent crab legs ready to eat with some lemon or garlic butter.Feb 15, 2018
How to tell when crab legs are done on the grill?
A: Since snow crab legs are pre-cooked, they only need to be reheated. They’re ready when steaming hot and the shells are slightly charred.Jan 30, 2025
Is it better to steam king crab legs frozen or thawed?
Is it better to cook crab legs frozen or thawed? Yes, make sure your crab has thawed before cooking it.
Can you cook king crab legs on a grill?
Unwrap your perfectly steamed, juicy king crab legs and serve them up with a bit of melted butter for dipping. Or, you can use the meat to prepare crab salad, crab cakes, crab soup or any number of other delicious recipes. By steaming the legs on the grill, you’ll have tender, impeccably flavored crabmeat to impress your guests.
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 steam king crab legs?
It’s easy to steam King Crab legs in a large lidded pot or steamer. Serve steamed crab legs with lemons and butter for dipping. Rinse ice off of frozen crab legs. Use a sharp knife to split crab legs into smaller pieces that fit into the steaming basket. Fill steamer or large pot with water and bring to a boil. How do you steam Alaskan crab legs?
How do you cook crab legs in a steamer?
Here’s how: First, choose a pot large enough to hold the crab legs and a steamer basket. It should have a tight-fitting lid. Fill the pot with an inch or two of water, then arrange the basket on top. Season or salt the water (see note below). Bring the water to a boil, then place the crab legs in the steamer basket.
Can you cook frozen king crab legs?
Always grill thawed king crab legs. Frozen takes too long, drying out the meat. Cut lengthwise through the bottom shell before grilling for more even cooking. Grill over direct high heat for 8-12 minutes per side for cut, thawed legs. Use indirect medium heat for frozen legs, cooking about 16-20 minutes total.
How do you cook crab legs on a gas grill?
Set your grill to medium-high heat (around 375°F). This temperature will allow the crab legs to cook evenly without drying out. Charcoal Grill: Light the charcoal and wait until it’s covered in white ash before placing your crab legs on the grill. Gas Grill: Preheat for about 10-15 minutes to get it to the correct temperature.