Crab legs are a classic way to prepare them, but grilling them gives them a smoky flavor.Crab legs can be thrown on a grill.You just need to cook the legs until they're hot.If you want to add a garlic butter flavor to the legs, you can cook them in a smoker.The grilled or smoked legs should be served with butter and lemon.
Step 1: Take the crab for 2 hours or overnight.
Transfer 2 pounds of crab legs to the fridge to thaw if you'll be grilling the next day.The crab legs should be put in a sealed bag in the sink and covered with cold water.The crab legs have to be changed every 30 minutes.It can take up to 2 hours for the crab legs to thaw.Don't thaw the crab legs in hot water, it could causebacteria to grow.
Step 2: To cook on a grill, use a gas or charcoal grill.
If you are using a gas grill, turn the burner to high.If you're using a charcoal grill, fill a chimney with briquettes and light them.Once the briquettes are hot, dump them in the center of the grill grate.To see if the grill is hot, hold the palm of your hand over the grate.If you can't hold your hand over the coals for more than a few seconds, the grill is ready.
Step 3: The crab legs should be placed on the grill.
The crab legs should be placed over the hot coals.Place them on the grill if you're using a gas grill.The crab legs should be in a single layer.If the legs are touching, it's fine.If you want to grill more than 2 pounds of crab legs, you should grill them in batches.
Step 4: Crab legs can be grilled for up to 8 minutes.
The crab should be left to cook on the grill.The tongs should be used every 2 minutes to turn the legs.The legs will cook for about 4 minutes.The cooking time for legs that are still attached to the bodies is closer to 8 minutes.Once they've finished grilling, the shells should become charred.The crab legs have already been cooked so you should warm them up.They'll dry out if you over cook them.
Step 5: Remove the crab and serve it.
If you want to cook the crab for more than 8 minutes, take it off the grill.Set the crab legs on the platter with lemon wedges and clarified butter.Wrap the crab legs in foil or put them in a container to store them.They can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Step 6: There is a classic cocktail sauce.
Put the condiments in a bowl.The sauce should be Stir until it is combined.Put the cocktail sauce in the fridge for an hour before serving it with the crab.It's a good idea to use cholula hot sauce.
Step 7: A garlic butter dipping sauce can be used.
The butter and garlic cloves should be in the saucepan.The butter should sink to the bottom of the pan when you turn the burner to medium-low.Remove the garlic from the sauce and serve clarified butter.The butter should not begin to burn if you keep an eye on it.
Step 8: A dipping sauce made with avocados.
Add a pinch of salt, a dash of wasabi, and some mayonnaise to a blender and blend.When the ingredients are creamy and smooth, put the lid on the blender.The sauce should be served with the crab.You can use a food processor if you don't have a blender.
Step 9: There is a Ponzu sauce.
An Asian inspired dipping sauce can be put into a saucepan with the soy sauce, bonito flakes, lemon juice, lime juice and piece of kombu.The ingredients should come to a boil when the burner is turned high.Leave the sauce for 30 minutes when the burner is turned off.You can serve the sauce with the crab by pouring it through a fine mesh strainer.The kombu is in the strainer.
Step 10: The smoker needs to be heated to 350 F.
Put wood chips in the smoker box if you're using a gas or electric smoker.If you're using a charcoal grill, you should scatter hot briquettes and wood chips along the side of the grill.Put a pan full of water in the center.As the grill cooks, the water will create steam.
Step 11: The crab legs should be in the roasting pan.
Place the crab legs in the disposable pan.If the crab legs are longer than the pan, use a heavy knife to cut them.You can thaw crab legs that are frozen by putting them in the refrigerator the night before you plan on grilling them.The legs can be shortened by twisting the joints.
Step 12: Put butter, lemon, seasoning, and garlic on the legs.
2 cloves of garlic are put in a small bowl with 1 cup of melted butter, 2 quarts of lemon juice, and 1 ounce of cajun or Old Bay seasoning.The roasting pan will be covered with the mixture.The legs should be turned over once so both sides are covered.
Step 13: The crab legs should be in the smoker for 20 to 30 minutes.
Place the crab legs in the smoker.The crab legs should be left to heat up.As the crab legs smoke, open the smoker 1 to 2 times.Remove one leg and crack it open to test the crab.The meat should be very hot.
Step 14: The smoked crab legs can be served.
Remove the crab legs from the smoker.Guests can help themselves to the crab legs by lifting them out of the roasting pan and serving them on a platter.Set the sauce alongside the crab legs by spooning it into a serving bowl.Crab legs can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.As the crab legs are stored the garlic butter flavor will intensify.