Hi, welcome to Anne’s kitchen with a fragrance that will not only make you feel hungry but will also make you feel mouthwatering. Nothing beats a quick and easy grilled crab leg meal when the weather is nice and you’re itching to get the grill going.
This method of grilling seafood requires minimal cleanup time and effort. To bring out the sweetness and delicate crab flavor, grill the crab legs and serve with lemon wedges and melted butter.
For this recipe, you can use any kind of crab legs, whether they’re fresh or frozen. Fantastic choices include king crab, snow crab, and Dungeness crab. Grilled crab legs are the perfect recipe to whip up when you want something tasty on the grill fast because the entire process takes less than 30 minutes.
This recipe is my favorite from my college days as my mother used to serve me and my friends this recipe very often whenever they planned to visit us. She used to serve it with my favorite Campfire Sauce. So this recipe not only makes me crave it but also makes me feel nostalgic as a part of my teenage is attached to it. So, let’s begin this nostalgic journey.
What Are Grilled Crabs?
Grilled crab is a delectable seafood dish where fresh crab is cooked on a grill, imparting smoky flavors and a delightful char to the tender crab meat. To prepare, cleaned crab is seasoned with herbs, spices, and sometimes a marinade, then placed directly on the grill grates over high heat.
The crab is grilled until the shell turns vibrant red and the meat becomes opaque and juicy, typically taking around 5-7 minutes per side. Grilled crab is often served with melted butter or a tangy sauce, enhancing its natural sweetness and creating a mouthwatering dish for any seafood lover.
Other Seafood Recipes You May Love!
Flavored Grilled Crab Legs Recipe
Equipment
- Outdoor grill
- Grill brush or tongs
- Bowl for mixing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup minced garlic
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 4 pound Snow Crab clusters, thawed if necessary
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all necessary ingredients for the recipe.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat an outdoor grill to high heat and lightly oil the grate.
- Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together butter, olive oil, and garlic until well combined.
- Brush Crab: Generously brush the buttery garlic mixture onto the crab.
- Grill Crab: Place the crab on the preheated grill and cook, turning once, until the shell just starts to brown, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Serve: Once done, serve the grilled crab with lemon wedges and additional melted butter if desired.
- Enjoy: This dish is perfect for any seafood-loving occasion. Savor the smoky aroma and juicy goodness of grilled crab straight from the grill to your plate!
Notes
- If using frozen crab legs, thaw them completely by placing the legs in a large bowl of cold water for 20-30 minutes before rinsing. This thawing step helps ensure the crab legs cook evenly when grilled.
- Once thawed, preheat the grill to high heat before placing the crab legs onto the hot grates. Whether using fresh or previously frozen crab legs, a hot grill is key for proper cooking.
- Don’t overcook the crab legs – they’ll take on an unpleasant rubbery texture.
- If you can find the crab legs already split, that’s ideal. But if they are unsplit, be sure to split them yourself before cooking. Splitting the legs allows the seasonings and heat to fully penetrate the crab meat, bringing out the most flavor.
Nutrition
What to Serve with Grilled Crab Leg Recipe?
Managing leftovers!
When you have leftover grilled crab legs, follow these steps to store and reheat them properly:
- Allow the crab legs to cool to room temperature before storing. Transfer them to an airtight container or resealable bag once cooled.
- Refrigerate the crab legs for up to 2-3 days to maintain freshness.
- When ready to reheat, preheat the grill to medium heat. Wrap the crab legs loosely in foil to prevent drying out.
- Grill the foil-wrapped crab legs for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until heated through to at least 165°F internal temperature.
- Unwrap and serve the reheated crab legs with lemon wedges and melted butter if desired. Enjoy their delicious taste again!