How to Make Perfectly Smoked Crab Legs on the Grill

Overview:

Traeger Grills presents a mouthwatering smoked crab legs recipe, perfect for seafood lovers. The recipe emphasizes the use of fresh king crab legs, smoked on a grill and complemented with a homemade BBQ and butter sauce, adding a unique twist to a seafood classic.

Ingredients:

• 4 whole crab legs
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup Traeger Texas Spicy BBQ Sauce
• 1 tablespoon Traeger Fin & Feather Rub
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preparation: Set the Traeger grill temperature to 250℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
2. Smoking: Place the crab legs directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke for 20 minutes.
3. Sauce Preparation: While smoking, prepare the sauce by whisking together melted butter, BBQ sauce, rub, salt, and pepper.
4. Cooking: Brush the crab legs with the BBQ sauce mixture, reserving some for serving. Continue cooking for another 10 minutes with the lid closed.
5. Serving: Remove the crab legs from the grill and serve with the remaining sauce.

Smoked Crab Legs

Crab legs are a delicacy enjoyed by many seafood enthusiasts, and there are numerous ways to prepare them. However, smoking crab legs introduces a depth of flavor that transforms this dish into a gourmet experience. Let's explore how you can elevate your seafood game with smoked crab legs.

The Magic of Smoking: Smoking is a technique that infuses food with rich, smoky flavors, enhancing its natural taste. When it comes to crab legs, smoking not only adds a unique twist but also maintains the delicate sweetness of the meat. The process is straightforward and requires minimal preparation, making it accessible for home cooks.

Choosing Your Crab Legs: For the best results, opt for fresh king crab legs. Their large size and tender meat make them ideal for smoking. Ensure that the crab legs are clean and thawed if previously frozen. Freshness is key to achieving a superior flavor profile.

The Perfect Smoked Crab Legs Recipe:

1. Preparation: Begin by preheating your smoker to 250℉. This temperature is perfect for slowly infusing the crab legs with smoky goodness without overcooking them. Close the lid and let the smoker reach the desired temperature.

2. Smoking: Place the crab legs directly on the grill grates. The direct exposure to smoke ensures that the flavors penetrate the meat thoroughly. Close the lid and smoke for 20 minutes. This initial smoking phase allows the crab legs to absorb the mesquite or your preferred wood pellet smoke.

3. Sauce Creation: While the crab legs are smoking, prepare the accompanying sauce. In a bowl, whisk together melted unsalted butter, Traeger Texas Spicy BBQ Sauce, Traeger Fin & Feather Rub, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This sauce will add a spicy and buttery richness to the smoked crab legs.

4. Final Cooking: After 20 minutes of smoking, brush the crab legs generously with the prepared sauce. Reserve some sauce for serving. Close the lid and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. This step ensures that the sauce sets and the flavors meld perfectly with the crab meat.

5. Serving: Remove the smoked crab legs from the grill. Serve them hot with the remaining sauce on the side. The combination of smoky, spicy, and buttery flavors will captivate your taste buds and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Conclusion:

Smoking crab legs is a simple yet effective way to enhance their natural flavors. This recipe combines the best of both worlds – the delicate sweetness of crab meat and the bold, smoky notes from the grill. Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ or enjoying a family dinner, smoked crab legs are sure to be a hit.