Snow crab legs are a delicacy that many people love to enjoy. Their sweet, succulent meat encased in the hard outer shell makes for a tasty treat. However, cooking snow crab legs properly can be tricky. Undercook them and the meat will be gummy and unpleasant. Overcook them and they become tough and rubbery. So how long should snow crab legs cook on the grill for the best results?
Overview of Grilling Snow Crab Legs
Grilling snow crab legs adds great flavor from the smokiness of the grill. It also allows the meat to gently steam and heat through within the shells. The key is using a medium-high heat that’s hot enough to lightly char the shells while slowly cooking the crab meat inside without overdoing it.
Smaller, thinner snow crab legs will take less time compared to large, thick legs You’ll also need to factor in whether the legs are chilled versus fully thawed Frozen legs take the longest.
How Long to Grill Pre-Cooked Frozen Snow Crab Legs
Many snow crab legs are sold pre-cooked and frozen. They just need to be thawed and heated through. Here are the approximate grilling times
- Smaller legs: 8-10 minutes per side
- Medium legs: 10-12 minutes per side
- Larger, thicker legs: 12-14 minutes per side
Be sure to thaw legs fully before grilling or the time will need to be extended.
How Long to Grill Thawed Snow Crab Legs
If your snow crab legs have been thawed first, here is how long they will need on the grill:
- Smaller legs: 6-8 minutes per side
- Medium legs: 8-10 minutes per side
- Larger, thicker legs: 10-12 minutes per side
Thawed legs take less time to heat through since they are starting off at fridge temperature versus frozen.
How Long to Grill Live Snow Crab Legs
Grilling freshly cooked snow crab legs is a bit faster than pre-cooked since you don’t have to thaw them first:
- Smaller legs: 4-6 minutes per side
- Medium legs: 6-8 minutes per side
- Larger, thicker legs: 8-10 minutes per side
The meat in live crab legs tends to stick to the shells less as well.
Tips for Grilling Snow Crab Legs Perfectly
Follow these tips for flawlessly grilled snow crab every time:
- Thaw frozen legs fully before grilling
- Use medium-high heat around 400°F
- Grill legs shell-side down first
- Brush with butter or oil to prevent sticking
- Flip halfway through
- Check for doneness before removing
- Err on the side of slightly undercooked
Properly grilled snow crab legs will have lightly charred and heated shells with opaque, steaming and tender meat inside. Use tongs and gloves to carefully flip and remove the crab from the grill.
How to Tell When Snow Crab Legs Are Done
Since snow crab legs are already fully cooked, you just need to heat them until piping hot. Here are some signs to look for:
- Shells have light charring
- Meat has turned opaque and white
- Meat separates easily from shells
- Internal temperature reaches 165°F
The meat should be hot and tender but not rubbery or tough. Undercooked crab will have a glassy, translucent appearance.
Serving Suggestions for Grilled Snow Crab Legs
Snow crab legs make a stellar entree or appetizer. Try serving them with:
- Melted butter – classic dipping sauce
- Lemon wedges – brings out fresh flavor
- Garlic aioli – creamy spread with kick
- Cole slaw – tangy crunchy contrast
- Corn on the cob – traditional summer pairing
- Steak or grilled chicken – surf and turf meal
A chilled white wine or light beer perfectly complements grilled snow crab legs. Simply seasoned and grilled, snow crab legs also hold up on their own as the star of the plate.
Learning how long to grill snow crab legs allows you to enjoy perfect results every time. Thinner legs need less time while thicker legs require more time for the heat to fully penetrate. Frozen legs take the longest to grill. Using medium high heat, grilling for 6-14 minutes per side depending on size will give you tender, succulent snow crab straight off the barbecue.
How to Split and Crack Them
Snow crab can be split with your hands. If you find it difficult you can use kitchen shears.
To split with your hands, hold the leg horizontally, with the back of the leg facing you. Then press down on either the middle of the leg or about 1/4 of the way up from the bottom of the leg. From there pull the cracked leg apart.
If it doesn’t return a nice chunk of meat and the meat is stuck on the inside, you can use a fork or utensil to remove it.
How to Know When They are Done
Crab should be cooked until the flesh is pearly or white, and opaque. You won’t be able to tell much by the outside color, because when you bought them they were already pre-cooked and orange. Examine the shoulder (this is the large white part of the cluster). It should be pearly white.
Check out our post on How to Cook Crab Legs.
You can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight (at least 8 hours). You can also put them in a bowl and run cool water over them to thaw quickly.
The crab defrosts quickly in water. I don’t recommend grilling while frozen.
When grilling crab legs, it’s important to keep them on the grill for a short period of time, usually for about 3 to 4 minutes each side, and to be careful not to overcook them. Grilling at medium-high heat is recommended to prevent over-cooking.
Crab legs on the grill!
FAQ
How do you grill frozen crab legs on the gas grill?
- Heat your gas grill to 350 — 400 degrees
- Remove 2 — 3 crab legs from the clusters (these will be used to test doneness)
- Place frozen crab leg clusters directly on the grill for 4 minutes on one side, 3 — 4 minutes on the other
How long should snow crab legs be cooked?
Crab legs only need to boil for about 5 minutes. You’re just reheating them and adding a little flavor with the seasoned water. If you buy fresh, raw crab legs they will need to boil for 6 to 8 minutes. They’re done when the crab turns pink/red and the meat is opaque.
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.
Do crab legs need to be thawed before grilling?
Before you reheat or cook crab legs, be sure to thaw them. Thawing crabmeat ensures that it will heat up evenly. You can defrost crab legs in the refrigerator overnight (for about 8 hours) or by running cold water over them.
Can You Grill snow crab legs?
Snow crab legs are a popular seafood delicacy known for their sweet, tender meat and delicate texture. While they are often steamed or boiled, grilling adds a rich, smoky flavor that enhances their natural sweetness. Plus, grilling is a quick and easy cooking method that requires minimal ingredients and effort.
How long do you cook frozen snow crab legs on a grill?
Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350°F-400°F). Grill crab legs for about 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until hot throughout. Let cool enough for you to handle before serving. Can I cook frozen snow crab legs on the grill?
Can you cook crab legs on a grill?
Grilled Crab Legs is such a treat in the summer, this foolproof recipe is so easy and works with king crab legs, Dungeness crab legs and snow crab legs! Heat grill to medium-high. Spritz crab legs all over with olive oil spray and place on hot grill. Cover and cook about 7 minutes on each side, or until the meat in the center is heated through.
Can you cook snow crab on a grill?
With their iconic long, slender shape and bright red shells snow crab legs make for an impressive presentation. However, achieving the ideal cook on the grill can be a bit tricky. Undercook them and you’ll end up with cold, chewy meat inside. Overdo it and the crab can become unpleasantly rubbery. No one wants tough, overcooked crab!
How do you know when snow crab legs are done grilling?
Here are some more snow crab leg grilling times to keep in mind: You’ll know the crab legs are done when the meat along the edges of the shell turns opaque and the meat in the center of the leg is hot. Use a knife to slice into a leg and check that the interior meat has lost its translucent appearance. Be careful not to overcook the crab.
Do king crab legs thaw before grilling?
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.