Traeger Grilled Crab Legs - Easy wood-fired crab leg recipe (2024)

My Traeger Grilled Crab Legs are perfectly cooked and super-charged with wood smoke flavor in both the sauce and the crab itself. Once you try wood-fired crab, you’ll never go back to plain steamers again.

Traeger Smoked Crab Legs

Crab legs have been one of my very favorite foods ever since I first tried them. As an adult, I’m pretty sure. Crab wasn’t huge up in Northern Minnesota, so my first experience probably happened at Red Lobster.

At first, I kind of thought they seemed like they were a lot of work for not great reward, but once I experienced a whole freshly cracked crab leg in some salty garlicky butter, it was over.

Now I like all the crab. All of it. King crab. Snow crab. Dungeness crab. Stone crab. Gimmie.

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How to grill crab legs

Grilling crab legs is so easy! Just combine all of the braising liquid, dump it over your crab legs, and stick them on the Traeger. Close the lid and let the magic happen.

If you are grilling King Crab legs you can also split the legs and cook them directly on the grill grates, but personally, I prefer to cook them in the pan so I can baste the crab with the buttery cooking liquid.

Can you grill frozen crab legs?

Nope!

Make sure that you thaw them in the fridge or in a bowl of cold water before you grill the crab. You’ll get the best texture that way, and ensure that everything is cooked evenly.

DO NOT thaw in the microwave. Don’t thaw out on the counter. Always use safe food handling practices, especially when dealing with seafood.

Are frozen crab legs already cooked?

Yup! Crab is cooked right away after it is caught, and then it is frozen and shipped all over the world. Most crab is able to be eaten cold, or you can cook it to reheat it as well if you prefer to eat your crab hot.

What condiments go with crab?

For hot crab, nothing beats melted clarified butter in my opinion. It is simple but the perfect compliment to the sweet crab meat.

For cold crab, co*cktail sauce is a traditional pairing, as is a squeeze of lemon.

What’s the best way to reheat cooked crab legs?

There are many different ways to reheat precooked crab. Some of the most popular methods are steaming, cooking in the oven, and grilling.

Any of these methods will work, but I find the most flavorful way to be grilling.

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What can I serve with grilled crab legs?

I highly suggest serving with my Traeger Grilled Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and a big fresh crisp green salad with my Greek Freak Salad Dressing.

Featured Reader Reviews

“10/10 fully recommend this. It was a huge hit!”

– Casey from Pinterest

This was AMAZING!!! my 10 yr old, myself, and 18 yr old (who doesn’t like crab) LOVED it! ❤️ Thank You for sharing!

– Kristin

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