Here are all of your crucial Pacific Coast crab questions answered.
The biggest among them can reach 20 pounds and measure 5 feet across.
Most store-bought king crabs weigh an average of 6 pounds.
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Snow crabs reach an average of 2 to 4 pounds.
They have six legs and two claws.
Snow crabs boast extraordinarily long legsthey have eight legs and two clawswith thinner brownish-red shells.
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Theirharvesting seasonstarts in late fall and extends as long as early summer.
The Alaska king crab, on the other hand, has a limited habitat and harvest season.
The large crustaceans live in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia.
Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
King crab fishermen catch them for just a few weeks in the winter.
The texture is firm and tends to be more fibrous (easily shredded into pieces) than king crab.
Alaska king crab’s flavor reputation precedes it.
The leg meat is known for its rich, sweet taste and delicately tender texture reminiscent oflobster meat.
Snow crab legs are typically less expensive than king crab.
Regardless of which crab you purchase, note that both varieties are usually sold precooked and frozen.
(They’re cooked on the boat or immediately upon landfall and then blasted frozen to preserve freshness.)
Steaming, grilling, or oven baking are reliable reheating methods for both snow and king crab.
King crab, however, contains more than twice the sodium as snow crab.
Defrost frozen legs by placing them in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours overnight before cooking.
Snow crab and king crabmeat are relatively interchangeable in recipes.
Pick your favorite, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes topreparing crabsfor meals, the crackability of their shells is important.
Snow crab shells are breakable enough to simply crack open with your hands.
Another popular Pacific Coast crab, the Dungeness is different from snow and king crabs in several ways.
While it has more meat in its legs than snow crabs, it has less than king crabs.
Small with blue shells, these crustaceans are popular thanks to their sweet taste and tender meat.
Another beloved species is the stone crab.
NOAA Fisheries.Red King Crab.
Published August 18, 2020.
NOAA Fisheries.Alaska Snow Crab.
Published February 27, 2020.
USDA FoodData Central.Snow crab.
USDA FoodData Central.Crustaceans, crab, alaska king, cooked, moist heat.
