Crabs are a delicious seafood treat that many people love to eat. However, for crab newbies, knowing what parts of a crab you can actually eat can be confusing This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly what parts of a crab are edible so you can fully enjoy these tasty crustaceans
Crab Anatomy 101
To understand what parts of a crab you can eat, it helps to first learn about basic crab anatomy. Crabs have an exoskeleton shell that protects their delicate bodies Their bodies are divided into two main sections
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Cephalothorax (body) – This upper body region houses the crab’s main organs, including its gills, mouthparts, stomach, and hepatopancreas (liver/pancreas) It also contains a maze of cartilage-lined chambers filled with meat
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Abdomen – The abdomen is the lower body region where you’ll find a crab’s intestines, reproductive organs, and apron flap.
Crabs also have two large front claws for grabbing prey and defense, plus four pairs of walking legs and a tail flap. Now let’s look at which parts are edible.
The Delicious Bits: Edible Parts of a Crab
Here are the prime edible regions of a crab:
Claw Meat
- The meat from the claws contains substantial, sweet flesh. Carefully crack the shells to extract it.
Leg Meat
- The legs have tasty meat similar to the claws, especially on larger crab species. Crack the joints backward to access it.
Body Meat
- The cartilage-lined chambers in the top shell contain the prized “brown” body meat. It has a richer flavor than the claw and leg meat.
Hepatopancreas
- This organ has a soft, creamy texture and a buttery taste. It’s considered a delicacy but eat in moderation as it can
The Anatomy of a King Crab
The king crab is one of the largest edible crabs, and its anatomy is similar to that of other crabs, except that it has six walking legs instead of eight. Its claws are also distinct in shape: the larger claw is used for crushing prey, while the smaller claw handles food delicately. You can also easily distinguish male and female king crabs by their abdomen flaps — a male has a narrow flap, while a female has a wider one.
There are three main types of king crab available on the market, each distinct in its appearance:
- Red king crab: This popular crab has a reddish-brown shell and is highly sought after worldwide. Red king crabs are found in British Columbia, Japan, and Alaska, especially in Bristol Bay and the Kodiak Archipelago. They live from the intertidal zone to depths of 100 fathoms or more, and can grow up to 24 pounds with a leg span of up to 5 feet.
- Blue king crab: This crabs shell has a blue hue, and its legs are more slender and oval-shaped than those of the red king crab.
- Golden king crab: The smallest of the three varieties, this crab has less meat, weighing between 5 and 8 pounds with a golden-orange shell.
- Jonah crab: This oval-shaped crab has a red top and a yellowish underside, sometimes with mottling of yellow and red on its legs. Jonah crabs are typically found along the Atlantic Coast from Newfoundland to Florida.
What Parts of the Crab Are Edible?
Here are some of the most delicious parts of a crab and how to enjoy them:
- Claws: A crabs claws contain the largest amount of muscle and, therefore, the juiciest meat. They are typically tastier and easier to eat than other parts.
- Legs: The leg meat tends to separate easily from the shell. You can extract it by breaking the joints backward and sliding the meat out.
- Body: Crabs with wider bodies, like Dungeness and blue crabs, offer more meat in their bodies than smaller crabs. For smaller crabs, using the bodies for stocks and sauces may be more worthwhile.
- Shells: Crab shells are great for making a flavorful fish stock. Boil them for about 10 minutes, then strain out the shells.
- Back fins: This part of the crab is especially tasty. Simply cut the crab in half to reveal the back fin and remove the flesh.
- Mustard: Also known as the green gland or tomalley, this edible part filters blood impurities. It has a pungent taste that only some people enjoy.
How to Eat Crabs
FAQ
What part of a crab can you not eat?
The inedible parts of a crab are primarily the gills (also known as the “dead man’s fingers” or “devil’s fingers”) and the stomach. While the gills are not inherently poisonous, they are tough, chewy, and often bitter, making them unappetizing.
Can you eat all the insides of a crab?
Eat the claws, the legs, the inside meat and the guts… Aka crab butter! Love it all!
Can you eat the brown stuff in crab?
Tips for Reducing PCBs & Other Chemicals. Remove the tomalley (also called mustard, green/brown stuff, green gland) of crabs before eating. This is where PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxin and metals concentrate.
What crabs are not edible to eat?
Xanthidae is a family of crabs known as gorilla crabs, mud crabs, pebble crabs or rubble crabs. Xanthid crabs are often brightly coloured and are highly poisonous, containing toxins which are not destroyed by cooking and for which no antidote is known.
What parts of a crab are edible?
The majority of a crab’s body is edible, providing a bounty of sought-after meat. Here are the prime parts that are safe and delicious to eat: Claws and legs – The claws and walking legs contain the largest muscles on the crab and the greatest concentration of meat. The meat is sweet, firm and flaky when extracted.
Are crab claws edible?
It is considered the most prized part after the claws. While most of the crab is edible, there are certain parts that are unappetizing, potentially toxic, or unsafe to consume: Gills – The feathery gills are inedible and should always be discarded.
Which part of a crab is safe to eat?
Here are the prime parts that are safe and delicious to eat: Claws and legs – The claws and walking legs contain the largest muscles on the crab and the greatest concentration of meat. The meat is sweet, firm and flaky when extracted. Cracking the hard shells is very rewarding.
Is crab meat edible?
In addition to the commonly recognized crab meat, there are two lesser-known edible parts worth mentioning. The first is the tomalley, which is the soft, greenish substance found within the body of the crab. Although it may not look very appealing, the tomalley is highly flavorful and is considered a delicacy in some cuisines.
Are crab shells edible?
While the shells themselves are not edible, they can be highly useful in culinary applications. The shells can be boiled to make rich seafood stock, giving your soups and broths a fantastic flavor boost. Not all parts of a crab are meant for consumption. It’s essential to know which parts should be avoided for safety and taste reasons: 1. Gills
Are crab legs edible?
Yes, the small legs on a crab are indeed edible. While they may not contain as much meat as the larger legs, they can still be cracked open to access the tasty meat inside. 2. Can you eat the shell of a crab? Generally, the shell of a crab is not consumed. However, it is often used to make flavorful stocks and broths in cooking. 3.