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Grilled Crab Legs

Grilled Crab Legs

Lisa Street
When it comes to grilled crab legs, the right accompaniments can elevate your dining experience.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Grill

Ingredients
  

  • - 3 cloves garlic finely minced (to infuse butter or oil)
  • - Fresh lemon wedges for serving
  • - 4 lbs frozen king snow, or Dungeness crab legs, thawed and gently rinsed
  • - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional, for a subtle kick
  • - Light mist of extra-virgin olive oil spray
  • - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (for dipping or drizzling)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Preparation of the Crab Legs

  • Start by thawing your crab legs. Place them in the refrigerator overnight if possible. If you're in a hurry, you can run them under cold water. Rinse them gently to remove any freezer burn. This step is crucial for ensuring your crab legs are clean and ready for grilling.

Step 2: Preheat Your Grill

  • Make sure your grill is clean and preheat it to medium heat. This usually hovers around 350-400°F. A good preheated grill will help develop those lovely marks on the crab legs and ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Prepare the Butter and Garlic Mixture

  • While the grill is heating, melt your unsalted butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and, if you like, the crushed red pepper flakes. This mixture adds a delightful flavor to your crab legs, enhancing their natural sweetness.

Step 4: Brush the Crab Legs

  • Take your crab legs and lightly mist them with extra-virgin olive oil spray. This adds flavor and ensures they don’t stick to the grill. Use a brush to evenly distribute the garlic butter mixture on the legs. Remember, it’s all about the flavors!

Step 5: Grill the Crab Legs

  • Place the crab legs on the grill. Grill for about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to turn them occasionally for even grilling. You’ll know they are ready when they are heated through and you see a bit of charring.

Step 6: Serving

  • Once off the grill, serve the crab legs immediately. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and provide lemon wedges on the side. You can serve the remaining garlic butter in a small bowl for dipping.

Notes

Here are some valuable tips to ensure your crab legs are the best they can be:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Quality crab legs are essential. Look for them to have a fresh, ocean scent and avoid any that smell overly fishy.
- Don’t Overcook: Crab legs are already cooked before you grill them. Just heat them through; overcooking can lead to tough meat.
- Try Different Seasonings: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Different spice blends or marinades can offer up a unique flavor profile. Think about adding Cajun spices or lemon herb blends.
- Maintain Grill Temperature: Too high of a temperature can burn the legs, while too low won’t cook them properly. Medium is a sweet spot.
- Plan for Cleanup: Grilling can get messy. Have a plan for cleanup; aluminum foil can be your friend for easy clean-ups.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g
Keyword Grilled Crab Legs
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