How Long Should You Grill Crab Legs in Foil for Perfectly Cooked Seafood?
As a seafood lover, I’m always looking for easy ways to prepare crab legs at home. Grilling crab legs in foil is one of my favorite methods – it infuses them with delicious smoky flavor while keeping the meat moist and tender. But grilling times can vary based on the type of crab, size of the legs, and thickness. So how long should you actually grill crab legs for the best results?
In this article, I’ll provide a definitive guide on foil grilling times for different types of crab legs along with tips for perfect doneness. Read on to become a pro at making succulent grilled crab legs at home this summer!
Factors That Impact Crab Leg Grilling Time
Several key factors impact how long it takes to grill crab legs in foil packets:
Type of Crab – King crab legs take longer than snow crab legs since they’re thicker. Snow crab has more delicate legs that cook faster.
Size of Legs – Larger, meatier crab legs need more time on the grill than smaller legs or pieces.
Thickness – Thicker chunks require longer cooking than thin, slender legs.
Precooked vs. Raw – Precooked, frozen crab legs just need reheating while raw legs must cook fully, which takes much longer.
Quantity – Grilling multiple foil packs will increase the total cooking time compared to a single pouch.
Grill Temperature – Legs cook faster at higher heat while lower temperatures lengthen the cooking time.
Weather Conditions – Grilling in cold or windy weather will extend the grilling time needed.
Recommended Grilling Times for Crab Legs
Based on the factors above, here are the approximate foil grilling times needed for perfect doneness:
King Crab Legs
- 1 lb – 15 to 20 minutes
- 2 lbs – 20 to 25 minutes
- 3+ lbs – 25 to 30 minutes
Snow Crab Legs
- 1 lb – 10 to 15 minutes
- 2 lbs – 15 to 20 minutes
- 3+ lbs – 20 to 25 minutes
Raw Crab Legs
- 1 lb – 30 to 35 minutes
- 2 lbs – 35 to 40 minutes
- 3+ lbs – 40 to 45 minutes
The times above are for grilling at medium-high heat around 400°F. Adjust as needed based on quantity, size, temperature, etc. Raw legs take significantly longer than precooked.
How to Tell When Crab Legs Are Done Grilling
Since most crab legs sold are precooked, look for these signs of doneness when foil grilling:
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Shell turns bright orange/red
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Meat is opaque throughout
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Juices run clear when shell is pierced
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Meat feels firm yet moist when pressed
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Legs are heated through but not dried out
Use tongs to occasionally check doneness early to avoid overcooking. Properly grilled crab should be succulent and tender.
Step-by-Step Guide to Grilling Crab Legs in Foil Packets
Follow these simple steps for flawlessly grilled crab legs every time:
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Preheat grill to 400°F. Use medium-high heat.
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Pat crab legs dry. Season lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc. if desired.
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Place legs in center of heavy duty foil sheet. Add lemon slices, melted butter, herbs, etc.
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Seal foil tightly into packet. Ensure it’s fully sealed with no steam holes.
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Grill packets for recommended time based on amount/type of crab.
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Check doneness early using tongs to press meat. Grill longer if needed.
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Carefully open packets – steam will escape.
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Serve grilled crab legs immediately with lemon wedges and dipping sauces.
The foolproof foil method minimizes drying while adding flavor. Adjust cook times as needed for your preferred texture.
Handy Grilling Tips
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Double up on foil or use extra heavy duty to prevent tearing.
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Make foil packets loose, not tight around crab. Allow steam circulation.
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Add 5-10 extra minutes if cooking multiple foil pouches.
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Rotate pouches halfway through for even cooking.
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Open packets cautiously to avoid burns.
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Check doneness early and grill longer if required.
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Transfer grilled legs immediately to prevent overcooking.
Mouthwatering Crab Leg Recipes
Take your grilled crab legs to the next level with these tasty recipes:
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Old Bay and Lemon Grilled Crab Legs – An easy classic!
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Cajun Spice Grilled Crab Legs – Infuse crab with Cajun flavor.
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Brown Butter Baked Crab Legs – Brushed with decadent brown butter.
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Air Fryer Crab Legs – Quick and convenient.
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Foil Grilled Crab Leg and Shrimp Boil – Cook shrimp and crab in one pouch.
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Garlic Herb Grilled Crab Legs – Savory garlic, parsley and lemon juice.
Grilling crab legs in foil pouches is one of the simplest ways to prepare fresh, restaurant-quality seafood at home. Use the grilling times and tips provided to ensure your crab legs turn out succulent and full of flavor every time. The smoky grill flavor pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the crab.
How to Grill Crab Legs
Grilling crab legs is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Spritz the legs with olive oil spray and place on a grill heated to medium-high.
- Cover and cook for about seven minutes on each side until heated through.
- While wearing a glove, use a sharp paring knife to cut slits along the side to pull out the meat easily.
Cooking crab legs on the grill is a fun way to get dinner on the table in the summer. Grilled crab meat goes great with just about any side. I love serving it with corn on the cobb. Some other serving suggestions are this Summer Tomato Salad, Lemon-Parsley Potato Foil Packets, or Macaroni Salad with Tomatoes.
They are expensive to buy, but cheaper than ordering out so I rather just make them myself. My family likes to eat crab legs with melted butter, but it’s totally optional. I melt a stick of butter on the stove over low heat while the crab legs are grilling and then squeeze fresh lemon juice into the butter. You can also add some garlic and make garlic butter. And if you want to skip the butter altogether, fresh lemon squeezed over the crab is perfect.
Grilled Crab Legs
Grilling Crab Legs is so easy – it’s my favorite method to cook them! There’s no looking for a big pot or making a mess in the kitchen. Just thaw the legs and heat them on the grill. Then crack them open and enjoy! Some of my other favorite ways to eat crab are Baked Crab Cakes, Crab Cauliflower Fried “Rice” and Tomato, Corn, Crab and Avocado Salad.
I grilled red king crab legs recently for my family as a treat because they love them! But you can grill any type of crab leg. Golden King, Dungeness crab legs and snow crab legs are two other good options. King crabs are probably the most popular type of crab as they are generally the largest and therefore, have the most meat. Snow crabs are similar to king crabs but have thinner legs. Dungeness crabs have the smallest legs of the three and are known for their very sweet meat.
Most Alaskan king crab legs come frozen and pre-cooked, so really all you’re doing is thawing and reheating them. It’s best to thaw your legs before grilling so they heat up evenly on the inside.
A quick way to thaw crab legs is to fill your sink with cold water and let them sit in the water for about 20 to 30 minutes. When thawed, rinse the legs well. You can also defrost overnight in the refrigerator, just be careful they don’t leak.
How to Grill King Crab
FAQ
How long should crab be on the grill?
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. Once the shells are bright red all over, the crab is probably ready.
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 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!
Can You Grill crab legs in foil?
When it comes to grilling crab legs, you have two options: Either wrap them in aluminum foil and heat them in these makeshift packets, or place them directly on the cooking grates. While we prefer the carefree nature of the latter method, grilling them in foil packets allows you to experiment with different flavor combinations.
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.
Can you grill frozen crab legs?
When grilling crab legs on a gas grill, preheat the grill temperature to 350 to 375 F on direct heat. If you’re using frozen crab legs, you can either let them thaw in cold water or on the counter while the grill heats.
Do crab legs cook faster if grilled?
Individual crab legs will always cook faster than legs that are still grouped together by the lower segment of the body. – Like most grilled meats, the crab will continue to cook after it’s been removed from the heat. Don’t be tempted to leave the legs on the fire too long.
How long do you cook thawed crab legs?
Change the water every half hour or so until the crab legs have thawed. It should take 1-2 hours, depending on their size. – When it comes to grilling crab legs, you have two options: Either wrap them in aluminum foil and heat them in these makeshift packets, or place them directly on the cooking grates.