Crab on the BBQ: Whole Crab Summer Recipe

By Beleaev Family | Beleaev Caviar & Gourmet | beleaev.com

BBQ crab is the summer main where halved crab is brushed with herb butter and grilled hot over coals. Simple, dramatic, properly luxurious.

Key Takeaways

• Live or freshly killed Cornish brown crab
• Have fishmonger split it
• Brush with garlic-herb butter
• Grill 12-15 min over hot coals
• Eat with hands

The Ingredients

Serves 2

• 1 whole live Cornish brown crab (around 1.2kg)
• 60g unsalted butter, softened
• 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
• Zest of 1 lemon plus juice
• 2 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tbsp finely chopped chives
• A pinch of cayenne
• Sea salt and black pepper
• 1 lemon, halved (decorative)

The Method

1. Have fishmonger dispatch and split the crab.

2. Mix butter with garlic, lemon zest and juice, parsley, chives, cayenne, salt, pepper.

3. Brush herb butter generously over flesh side of crab pieces.

4. Heat BBQ to high.

5. Place crab pieces flesh-side down on grill 4 min.

6. Flip. Grill another 8-10 min until shells bright red and meat opaque.

7. Brush with more butter. Plate. Add lemon halves. Serve with bibs and finger bowls.

Tips

Live crab same day.

Crack claws before grilling.

Hot grill, not warm.

Eat with hands.

Variations and Pairings

With caviar: Add a small bowl of Royal Oscietra on the side.

With chilli butter: Replace garlic-herb with chilli-lime butter.

Wine pairing: A chilled rosé or Picpoul.

For more crab, see our Singapore chilli crab and salt and pepper crab recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Live crab?

Buy live, fishmonger dispatches and splits.

Indoor BBQ?

Grill pan or hot oven (220C) work as substitute.

How long to cook?

12-15 min total over hot coals.

BBQ crab on a summer evening with a chilled rosé is one of those communal meals that defines warm-weather entertaining. Discover Beleaev's caviar collection at beleaev.com.

Beleaev is an international caviar and gourmet food company with fulfilment hubs across the UK, Europe, the UAE, and the United States. We are committed to sourcing responsibly farmed, sustainable products and delivering them to customers within 24 to 48 hours, ensuring exceptional freshness and quality.