Crab legs are a delicious and popular seafood option enjoyed by people across the world. With thousands of edible crab species in existence, you have plenty of tasty crab leg varieties to choose from. But what are widely considered the absolute best and most delectable crab legs out there?
When searching for the top crab legs to serve at home or order in a restaurant, you’ll want to take their taste, texture, availability, and price into consideration. This guide breaks down the prime picks for best crab legs by diving into all the key details so you can determine which type suits your preferences and budget.
Dungeness Crab Legs
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest coast Dungeness crab has earned global fame for its sweet succulent meat. It’s the most commonly consumed crab in the western United States and is named after a seaside town in Washington state. Dungeness crabs are moderate in size, typically weighing around two pounds. They have a purplish-brown shell and whitish-pink meat with a slightly salty flavor and delicate texture.
Dungeness crab legs are harvested annually between November and June. Their seasonality means you’ll pay more for fresh Dungeness crab during peak winter months versus other times of the year. Expect to spend $15-$30 per pound.
King Crab Legs
The king crab is aptly named for its mammoth size, sometimes reaching up to 10 feet across and 25 pounds. It inhabits the frigid waters of the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska. There are various king crab species, but the most prized is the red king crab. It has snowy white meat with red edges and supremely tender texture with subtle sweetness.
Since king crab legs come from remote, icy fishing grounds, they cost significantly more than other crab legs. Expect to pay $50-$100 per pound for freshly caught king crab. Their limited season runs from October to January.
Snow Crab Legs
Also known as queen crab, snow crab lives in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Its long, spindly legs resemble spider legs, hence the alternate name “spider crab.” Snow crab legs have a beautiful red hue before cooking but turn white afterward, resembling snow. The taste is delicately sweet with briny notes. Snow crab meat shreds easily, making it perfect for appetizers, salads, and pasta dishes.
Thanks to an extensive harvesting period from late fall to early summer, snow crab costs less than other premium crab leg varieties at $20-$40 per pound. It’s the most affordable crab to buy for everyday meals.
Stone Crab Claws
While most crabs are cooked whole, stone crabs are unique. Only the claws are removed and served, while the crab is returned to the ocean. The claws regenerate over time so the crab survives. Stone crab claws come from Florida’s coastline and have firm texture and incredibly sweet flavor.
Because of the careful harvesting process and small yield per crab, stone crab claws are expensive at $50-$100 per pound. Their delicate flavor is unmatched, though, making them a special indulgence. The short season runs from October to May.
Blue Crab Legs
An East Coast favorite, the blue crab lives in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It has a distinctive blueish-green shell and white meat tinged with red. Blue crab meat is sweet, salty, and savory with flaky texture. Since they’re small, often 3-5 inches across, you’ll need multiple crabs for a proper meal.
Blue crabs are caught year-round, though best during warmer months. They offer an affordable option at $15-$30 per pound. Blue crab legs work nicely in soups, sandwiches, crab cakes, and buttery dipping sauces.
Soft Shell Crab Legs
Soft shell crabs are blue crabs caught immediately after molting when their new shell hasn’t fully hardened yet. During this brief period, the entire crab is edible when deep fried or sautéed. The soft shell offers a crispy outside and tender meat inside.
Since timing is so precise to catch soft shell crabs, they are relatively expensive at $20-$40 per crab. But the unique, delicious taste and texture make them worthwhile for special occasions. They’re in season during late spring and early summer along the East Coast.
Factors to Consider
When deliberating over what are the best crab legs to buy or order, keep these key factors in mind:
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Taste – Sweeter and more delicate crab meat, like king crab and stone crab, is best served on its own. Richer flavored crabs like snow and Dungeness work nicely in recipes.
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Texture – Flakier meat like snow crab shreds well in dips and salads. Large chunks of meat from king crab are ideal for crab cakes or dipping in butter.
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Seasonality – Freshly caught crab tastes best, so opt for what’s in season. Frozen crab legs lack flavor nuance.
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Price – Specialty crab legs are an indulgence. Save them for special occasions and choose affordable options like snow crab for everyday eating.
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Preparation – Simple steaming, boiling, or broiling brings out the natural flavor of crab legs. Avoid over seasoning or masking the taste.
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Origin – Certain regions produce the best crab legs, like Dungeness from the Pacific Northwest or stone crab claws from Florida.
No matter which type of crab legs you ultimately go with, proper storage and handling is essential. Keep crab legs chilled at 32-38°F. Thaw frozen crab legs overnight in the fridge before cooking. Eat crab legs within two days of purchase or thawing for peak quality.
With this guide providing details on the many varieties, you now have the knowledge to select the perfect crab legs and enjoy this seafood delicacy to the fullest. Just head to your local fish market or restaurant and get ready for sweet, flaky, succulent crab meat at its finest. A bowl of melted butter or lemon wedges for squeezing are great accompaniments to let the fabulous crab flavors shine.
What are Snow Crabs
Snow crabs are a species of crab that are named for the color of their meat. Fun fact, when Snow crabs are cooked, their bright red crab meat is transformed from red to snowy white, hence the name snow crab. They are also often referred to as the “queen crab” because of their long legs, similar to king crabs. These are typically the most common type of crab or crab legs that you will find in your local supermarket or fish market. The snow crab legs are typically sold in pre-packed clusters.
The Key Differences between Snow vs King Crab
When comparing snow crab vs king crab it’s easy to look at what they have in common. They both have long legs, they’re both cooked in really similar ways, and they both have a similar habitat. Now let’s take a look at the difference between snow crab and king crab.
King crab vs snow crab taste very differently and their meat is usually used for different purposes. The King crab is known as the best of the best when it comes to crab meat and it is usually a delicacy and eaten on its own or with a buttery dip. Snow crab, because of its more savory taste, is excellent for hors d’oeuvres, and often used in salads, dips, spreads, or even in soup, although snow crab is also wonderful on its own. Depending on your cooking preferences and the occasion for having crab (not that you need an occasion to eat delicious crab) you’ll want to examine the snow crab vs king crab differences.
Due to its sought after taste, juicy pieces of meat, and the limited time frame in which you can catch king crab – the price per pound always tends to be higher than snow crab. King Crab legs can go from anywhere between $50-100/per pound. You might not be eating king crab every night at that price point, but when you do it is well worth the price. Snow Crab is more common. Because of its longer harvesting season, the price is more affordable. Snow Crab typically comes in at $20-40/ per pound. Because of the snow crab’s texture it also makes it a better choice for omelets, souffles, or pasta sauces!
$185 King Crab Legs from Don’s Prime at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas
FAQ
What is the best tasting crab leg?
There are many types of crab legs, but king crabs have the largest claws, making them one of the best for eating. Each claw is filled with a long, thick spear of white, sweet-tasting meat similar to lobster’s flavor. The shells are difficult to crack, so it’s best to use a cracking tool to get to the meat inside.
What crab legs have the most meat?
King Crab: King Crab Legs have the highest meat-to-shell ratio, ranging from 60% to 75%, depending on the crab.
Which tastes better, snow crab legs or king crab legs?
King Crab: King crab meat is rich, succulent, and more tender than that of snow crab. It has a slightly sweet flavor and a more delicate texture, often compared to lobster. The large chunks of meat from king crab legs make for a luxurious and hearty eating experience.
Are Dungeness or snow crab legs better?
Dungeness and snow crab legs offer distinct flavor and texture experiences. Dungeness crab has a richer, buttery taste and firmer texture, while snow crab is known for its delicate, tender meat and milder, slightly sweet flavor.