King crab legs are a delicacy enjoyed around the world for their sweet, succulent meat. The largest of the king crab species is the Alaskan red king crab, known for its huge size and firm, rich texture. But with their popularity comes a premium price tag, especially for the coveted “jumbo” sized legs. So just how much do these giant crab legs cost? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Jumbo King Crab Legs?
Jumbo king crab legs refer to legs from larger sized red king crabs. While there’s no industry standard for what constitutes “jumbo”, legs over 1 pound each are generally considered jumbo size. These extra-large legs can measure 10 inches or more in length. Jumbo legs come from older, larger crabs that roam the cold waters of the Bering Sea near Alaska. They contain the most meat of any size due to their girth.
Jumbo legs are prized for celebrations and special occasions when you want an impressive presentation. Their substantial size also makes them perfect for feeding a crowd. Expect around 1/2 pound of meat from each 1 pound leg.
Typical Price Range
The market price for jumbo Alaskan king crab legs typically ranges from $50 to $100 per pound depending on factors like
- Size – Larger legs command higher prices
- Quality grade – Higher grades have more meat
- Supply – Prices increase when supplies are low
- Source – Domestic wild-caught costs more than imported
- Time of year – Prices peak around the holidays
To give an example, a 3 pound package of large, premium quality legs could cost $150 to $300 High-end retailers and restaurants sometimes charge even more when served as part of a seafood platter
What Impacts the Cost?
Several key factors influence the retail cost of jumbo king crab legs:
Limited Supply
Only a small fraction of the total king crab harvest reaches jumbo size. Their large size also makes storage and shipping more expensive, adding to costs.
High Demand
Jumbo legs are always in high demand. Many consumers specifically seek out the largest legs for special meals and events. Limited supply and high demand leads to higher prices.
Harvesting and Processing
The legs must be harvested from remote, icy Alaskan waters during a short season. They’re then processed, cooked, frozen and shipped overnight to retailers. These costs are passed onto consumers.
Quality Grading
A higher grade means the legs contain more meat. Top quality “grade A” jumbo legs with the most meat content cost the most. Lower grades have less meat and cheaper pricing.
Finding the Best Price
While jumbo king crab legs fetch a premium price, deals can be found with some smart shopping:
- Check prices for different size packages – Larger bulk quantities can save money.
- Look for seasonal sales around holidays like Christmas.
- Sign up for email alerts for price drops from favorite retailers.
- Buy direct from reputable Alaskan suppliers to cut out middleman markups.
- Consider purchasing raw, uncooked legs and cooking them yourself.
With some flexibility on size and timing, you can land jumbo legs for less than $50 per pound if you hunt for bargains and sales.
Are Jumbo Legs Worth the Price?
At $50+ per pound, jumbo king crab certainly isn’t cheap. But devoted fans believe the unmatched sweetness and meatiness is well worth the occasional splurge. The impressive presentation makes them perfect for intimate dinners and gatherings with family or friends.
While budget-friendly legs under 1 pound can be found for $20 per pound or less, aficionados argue there’s no substitute for the sheer size and indulgence of a mammoth jumbo leg. For die-hard king crab lovers, their hefty cost is a small price to pay for an irresistible, decadent treat.
Jumbo Alaskan king crab legs range from $50 to $100+ per pound, owing to their mammoth size, scrumptious flavor, and short supply. With smart shopping at the right times, deals can bring costs to under $50 per pound. While not an everyday purchase for most, their unmatched deliciousness makes these giant crab legs worth the splurge for special occasions in the eyes of seafood devotees.
Buy The Freshest Alaskan King Crab Legs For Sale Online!
Looking for premium king crab and king crab legs delivered to your doorstep? At Maine Lobster Now, we offer the highest quality Alaskan king crab legs for sale, sourced straight from the icy waters of Alaska. Known for their sweet, rich flavor and tender meat, these king crab legs are perfect for any seafood feast. Whether you enjoy them with butter, garlic, or a sprinkle of sea salt, our king crab legs will elevate any meal. Order online today and experience the freshest Alaskan king crab delivered to you!
Why Choose Alaskan King Crab? Superior Taste and Quality
Alaskan king crab is prized for its unparalleled flavor and quality, making it a top choice for seafood lovers worldwide. Known for its sweet, tender meat and large, juicy legs, Alaskan king crab offers a luxurious dining experience thats hard to beat. When you order king crab legs from Maine Lobster Now, youre getting premium, sustainably sourced crab, caught fresh and delivered directly to your door. Perfect for a special occasion or a gourmet meal, our king crab legs are guaranteed to impress with every bite. Order today to enjoy the best of the ocean’s bounty!
We Tried $180 Alaskan King Crab Legs To See If They’re Worth The Money
FAQ
Why is jumbo lump crab so expensive?
Jumbo lump crab is often more expensive than other parts of the crab because of the scarcity of the resource.Jan 21, 2025
How many legs are 10lbs of king crab?
The Colossal King Crab Legs are also known as 9/12 king crab legs. This represents 9 to 12 legs per ten pounds, weighing 0.6 -0.85 lb each leg!
What is the largest crab legs you can buy?
The biggest crab legs you can buy are Super Colossal Alaskan Red King Crab Legs. They are known for their impressive size, with individual legs weighing between 0.90 and 1.25 lbs, according to Alaskan-Seafood.com.
Are king crab legs cheaper in Alaska?
No, Alaskan King crab legs are not necessarily cheaper in Alaska. While they are caught there, the majority is shipped out, and prices are often higher due to demand and shipping costs.
How much do Jumbo King crab legs cost?
Jumbo king crab legs weigh approximately 0.5 to 1 pound per leg. This is the smallest and most affordable king crab size. So if you buy a 3 pound bag of jumbo Alaskan red king crab legs, expect to pay $75 to $105. Jumbo legs are a good option if you want to enjoy king crab on a budget.
How much do Alaskan red king crab legs cost?
A 10 pound box of extra large Alaskan red king crab legs will cost $700 to $900. These monsters offer the ultimate king crab experience. The huge size and abundance of sweet meat make them well worth the premium price tag. Keep in mind that crab size and source are the main factors affecting price, but other elements can also cause fluctuation:
Where can I buy king crab legs?
To buy king crab legs, you should look online instead of in the grocery store. Online sellers of king crab have crab available year-round.
Which king crab is more expensive?
Red king crab is more expensive as it lives in shallower, colder waters and has a higher meat to shell ratio. Golden king crab comes from deeper, warmer waters and has spikier legs with a lower meat to shell ratio. Size: King crab legs are categorized by size – jumbo, colossal, extra large. Larger legs naturally contain more meat and cost more.
How big are golden king crab legs?
Golden king crab comes from deeper, warmer waters and has spikier legs with a lower meat to shell ratio. Size: King crab legs are categorized by size – jumbo, colossal, extra large. Larger legs naturally contain more meat and cost more. Jumbo size ranges from 0.5-1 lb per leg, colossal 0.8-1.5 lbs, and extra large over 1.5 lbs.
Which king crab is better Jumbo or colossal?
Jumbo is great for groups or first-timers, while Colossal is the ultimate luxury crab experience. Still unsure? You really can’t go wrong with either. Enjoy the convenience of ordering live king crab for sale or premium pre-cooked king crab legs with overnight delivery.