Crab clusters have become a popular delicacy for seafood lovers looking for an indulgent and unique dining experience. But what exactly are crab clusters and how are they different from regular crab legs? This comprehensive guide will uncover everything you need to know about crab clusters, from their composition to cooking methods and recipes. Read on to become a crab cluster connoisseur!
A crab cluster refers to a portion of a cooked crab consisting of multiple legs still attached together along with some body meat from the crab’s carapace or body. Unlike individually sold crab legs clusters provide an intact section of the crab for a fuller flavor and visual appeal.
The two most common varieties of crab sold in cluster form are snow crab and king crab Snow crab clusters feature the long, thin legs of snow crab harvested from Alaska or Canada. King crab clusters contain the thicker, more substantial legs of red and blue king crab from Alaskan waters Dungeness crab from the Pacific Northwest may also sometimes be sold in smaller clusters.
Benefits of Cooking and Eating Crab Clusters
Crab clusters provide several advantages over individual crab legs
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More economical – Buying pre-portioned clusters can be cheaper than purchasing individual legs.
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Retains moisture – Keeping the legs clustered together helps seal in moisture and prevent the meat from drying out.
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Saves prep time – No need to break down legs before cooking. Clusters can go straight from freezer to pot.
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Full crab flavor – The extra body meat adds rich flavor compared to legs alone.
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Impressive presentation – Serving a whole crab cluster makes for an exciting centerpiece.
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Easier to eat – Legs remain segmented for simpler access to the luscious meat.
The Composition of Crab Clusters
Crab clusters typically contain a variety of parts in one serving:
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Legs – Usually 3-5 legs attached together. King crab legs are thick while snow crab legs are long and thin.
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Claw – One claw is often left attached to the cluster. Carefully crack to access the coveted claw meat.
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Shoulder – A portion of the top shell or shoulder remains connected to the legs.
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Body Meat – Each cluster contains some deliciously sweet meat from the crab’s body.
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Size – Clusters can range from 1⁄2 pound up to 1 pound or more.
This combination of legs, claws, and body meat provides a variety of textures and flavors in one crab cluster.
Preparing and Cooking Crab Clusters
Proper preparation and cooking is key to getting the most out of your crab clusters. Here is a simple cooking method:
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Inspect – Check that clusters are cold and intact upon purchase. Discard any with off odors.
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Steaming – Steaming is ideal to retain moisture and flavor. Place clusters in a steamer basket over boiling water for 12-15 minutes.
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Seasoning – Consider adding garlic, lemon, crab boil, or other seasoning to the steaming liquid.
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Cracking – After steaming, let crab cool slightly before cracking open the shells using shears or a seafood cracker.
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Serving – Gently remove meat and serve immediately with melted butter or in your favorite recipes.
Handling and Serving Suggestions
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Allow 1⁄2 to 1 pound of crab clusters per person.
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Carefully break apart clusters before eating rather than cutting through them.
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Be cautious of sharp edges when handling cracked shells.
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Discard any liquid left in the shells after removing meat.
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Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, aioli, or creamy dipping sauces.
Tantalizing Crab Cluster Recipes to Try
Beyond steaming and dipping in butter, crab clusters can elevate all kinds of delicious recipes:
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Crab cakes – Fold shredded crab meat into panko breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasoning, then pan fry into perfect crab cakes.
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Crab stuffed mushrooms – Mix crab with cream cheese and stuff into mushroom caps for a heavenly appetizer.
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Crab salad – Gently toss crab meat with greens, tomato, avocado, lemon juice, and olive oil.
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Crab linguine – Sauté crab meat with white wine, garlic, parsley and lemon juice, then toss with cooked linguine.
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Crab dip – Combine crab with cream cheese, sour cream, and parmesan, then bake until bubbly.
With so many options, crab clusters are sure to be a new favorite for seafood connoisseurs and novices alike. Indulge in this sublime gift from the sea!
King Crab vs Snow Crab: Where and When to Find Them?
Let’s get to know where each kind of crab comes from. The snow crab prefers deep, cold water conditions so they live in the northern parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. To be specific, they usually reside around Maine, Alaska, Canada, Norway, Russia, and even Greenland.
Meanwhile, the king crab has less habitat compared to the snow crab. They also love frigid water, but they are typically only found in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia.
Now you know where these two crab types live, the question is: When can we find them? The snow crab’s harvesting season begins in April and lasts until late October or early November. In contrast, the king crab season is much shorter and normally kicks off in late October and ends in early January.
King Crab vs. Snow Crab: Are They Different In Size?
When you look at these two crabs, size will be the core element that helps you to distinguish between them. As stated in its name, king crab is obviously a big creature, and it is clearly bigger than the snow crab. So far, the largest king crab that fishermen have ever found reached 20 pounds and was 5 feet long! However, generally a king crab weighs about 6 pounds while a snow crab weighs from 2 to 4 pounds. Since a king crab is bigger in total size, the legs are bigger and thicker than those of the snow crab, whose legs are longer but slimmer.
Here’s another tip that helps you distinguish between the two types of crab: the number of legs a crab has can tell you which kind of crab it is. Specifically, king crab has 3 pairs of legs and 2 big claws, while a snow crab has 4 pairs of legs and 2 claws.
How To Get Meat Out of Snow Crab Legs – Easy and Fast
FAQ
What is considered a crab cluster?
Bought straight from the processors that everyone’s favorite Alaskan Crab fishermen deliver to, these clusters include all the legs, the claw, and a substantial portion of the body! These giant Alaska Snow crab legs are well known for their sweet succulent flavor and snowy white meat.
How many crab clusters per person?
How much crab meat is in a cluster?
A snow crab cluster, which typically includes four legs and a claw, generally contains around 3-4 ounces of meat. Some individuals may be able to extract more meat if they are meticulous, but this is a good general estimate.
What is the difference between a cluster crab and a whole crab?
Clusters are the frozen sections that have been cooked and cleaned with the carapace taken off and split in half. It’s a good compromise to still having the fun of breaking down a crab without a lot of the mess.