Savor the luxurious taste of grilled king crab legs served with a rich garlic butter dipping sauce. Tender, sweet crab meat gets a touch of smoky char from the grill that enhances its natural flavor. A simple homemade garlic butter complements the crab without overpowering it.
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What Are King Crab Legs?
King crab legs are large, spiky-shelled legs prized for their sweet, delicate meat. They are commonly sold by the pound or by individual legs. Compared to snow crab, king crab meat is often more tender and slightly sweeter, which is why it commands a higher price.
Most king crab legs are cooked on the boat and then frozen, so you’ll commonly find pre-cooked, frozen legs at the market. They can be reheated by steaming, boiling, baking, sautéing, or grilling, and are usually served with lemon and butter.
Why Grill Them
Grilling king crab legs adds a pleasant smoky note and a bit of char to the shell while keeping the meat inside moist and tender. Because the legs are large, grilling is convenient and quick—perfect for adding herb, garlic, or butter flavors without drying the meat out.
Grilling is an excellent alternative to steaming or baking when you want a slightly smoky finish and fast cooking time. It’s simple to do and lets you brush on garlic butter or use it as a dipping sauce to enhance each bite.
The Difference Between Snow Crab and King Crab Legs
Snow crab legs are sold in clusters and have smoother shells, making them easier to crack. King crab legs are sold in larger sections or individual legs with thicker, spikier shells. King crab meat is typically sweeter and more delicate than snow crab.
King crabs grow much larger and are harvested seasonally, while snow crabs are smaller and often available year-round. Both cook similarly, though king crab legs require slightly more time because of their size.
How to Buy and Shop
Most king crab legs you find are pre-cooked and frozen shortly after harvest. If the legs are orange or red in the package, they are already cooked and only need reheating. When buying, look for solid packaging and consistent color, and keep them frozen until you’re ready to thaw and grill.
How to Grill King Crab Legs
Here are the basic steps; full ingredient amounts and times are provided in the recipe section below.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Place thawed crab legs on the grill.
- Grill until warmed through and slightly charred.
How to Know When They are Done
Since most purchased king crab legs are pre-cooked, you’re reheating rather than fully cooking them. The meat should be opaque and pearly white when warmed through. Check thicker sections or the shoulder to confirm the interior is heated and opaque.
How to Thaw
Thaw crab legs in the refrigerator overnight (at least 8 hours) for best results. If you need them sooner, place the sealed legs in a bowl and run cool water over them until thawed. Avoid grilling them while still frozen; thaw first for even heating.
Frozen Crab
Frozen crab defrosts quickly in water; do not grill straight from frozen. Thaw fully so the meat heats evenly and the shell chars without burning.
Do Not Overcook
Because the legs are already cooked, grill briefly to avoid drying the meat. For king crab, grill about 4–7 minutes per side over medium-high heat until heated through and slightly charred. Snow crab cooks a bit faster—3–4 minutes per side.
How to Plan How Much You Need Per Person
Plan about 1½ pounds of king crab per person as a generous serving; 2 pounds per person ensures you won’t run short if you want seconds.
How to Split and Crack Them
Use sharp kitchen shears or a heavy knife to cut along the underside of the leg, then twist and separate sections to access the meat. A crab cracker or fork helps remove meat from the shell. Work carefully to avoid cutting yourself on the shell.
- Place the crab leg on a cutting board.
- Use shears to snip along the underside of the shell and through joints.
- Twist to separate sections and remove meat with a fork or cracker.
How to Reheat Them
If possible, serve crab legs freshly warmed with melted butter. If you need to reheat leftovers, sauté briefly in a pan with a little butter or oil until warmed through. Crack legs before storing to make reheating and serving easier later.
Pair With These Recipes
Grilled king crab pairs nicely with simple sides like grilled asparagus, creamed spinach, smoked sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, or roasted Brussels sprouts. A bright salad or buttery roll also complements the rich crab and garlic butter.
More Crab Recipes
If you enjoy crab, try variations like crab risotto, creamy crab bisque, seafood boils, grilled snow crab legs, smoked crab legs, crab quiche, or Dungeness crab legs for different textures and flavors.
Grilled King Crab Legs with Garlic Butter
Brandi Crawford
5 mins
12 mins
17 mins
dinner, lunch
American
2 servings
490 kcal
Equipment
- Grill
Ingredients
- 3 pounds king crab legs
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped parsley
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high (about 350°F).
- Place thawed crab legs on the grill and cook 5–6 minutes per side, until warmed through and lightly charred.
- Allow legs to cool slightly before splitting. Use kitchen shears to cut open the shell and remove the meat.
Garlic Butter Sauce
- Combine melted butter, lemon juice, parsley, minced garlic, and Old Bay seasoning in a bowl. Stir to combine. Serve as a dipping sauce or brush lightly over the crab before serving.
Notes
- Snow crab can be used instead; cook snow crab 3–4 minutes per side.
- Adjust spices to taste. Brushing the garlic butter on the legs can be delicious but may be messier than using it as a dip.
- Crack legs before storing if you plan to reheat later to make serving easier.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Nutrition estimates are provided as a courtesy and may vary. For precise values, calculate using the exact ingredients and portions you use.