Alaskan king crab is quite an expensive dish, but the taste makes money worth spending on it. Their legs are extremely succulent and tender with a stunning sweet taste. That’s really amazing to try once!
Don’t know how to choose, buy, thaw, cook and taste it? Here comes the ultimate guide of Alaskan king crab for you. Check it out!
Table of Contents
3 Main Types of Alaskan King Crabs
King crabs mainly inhabit the cold seas. Alaskan king crab is the largest of all king crabs as well as the most delicious one. There are approximately 40 species of king crabs but only 3 commercially harvested species in Alaska. When we say Alaskan king crab, it refers to red king crab, blue king crab, and golden (brown) king crab.
Red King Crab
As the name implies, red king crabs are red or burgundy in color. They can grow very large with a carapace width of 28 cm and leg span of 152 cm while their average weight is 10.9 kg. Red king crabs have 2 claws and 6 edible legs, and the right claw is usually larger on adult crabs.
Considering the taste, red king crabs are the tastiest among all Alaskan king crabs, giving you a heavenly treat. The meat is snow-white with a hint of red all over it which is succulent accompanied by a mildly sweet taste. In a nutshell, red king crabs are the best of the best.
Blue King Crab
Blue king crabs are not that good when compared to the red ones. However, they are still sweet and an amazing dish to have. Mature male blue king crabs are usually 8 kg, which is slightly smaller than red king crabs.
Golden King Crab
Golden king crabs are the smallest one (avg. 3 kg) among these three types of Alaskan king crabs. They are not as meaty as red and blue king crabs but the taste is similar to them. Due to the population declines of both red and blue king crabs, golden king crabs are the most abundantly available crabs found in Alaska.
Why Is Alaskan King Crab So Expensive?
The major reason for Alaskan king crab being so expensive is the limited availability with high demand.
a. Limited availability of Alaskan King Crabs
Alaskan king crabs are harvested for just 2 months when the water of Alaska is almost freezing. These crabs are all wild-caught because they are too costly to be cultivated. They have to be at least 7 years old to be sold commercially as food.
Besides that, catching king crabs in Alaska is a really dangerous job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alaska crab fishing is considered to be the occupation with the highest fatality rate in the US. Drowning and hypothermia are the main causes of these deaths. Working with heavy machinery and gear is another major cause of getting crippling injuries among the fishermen of Alaska. This is what makes Alaskan king crabs really expensive.
Moreover, in order to conserve the king crabs in Alaska, there have been several regulations. Alaska Department of Fish and Game has made it clear that “Male king crabs less than the minimum legal size and all-female king crabs that have been taken must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.”
These made Alaskan king crabs so rare and precious.
b. Alaskan King Crabs are in high demand
When talking about the demand, based on the statistics of The Seafood Market Information Service (SMIS), 16.3 million pounds of Bering Sea king crabs have been traded in 2015.
Although Alaskan king crabs are high-priced, many people are crazy about it due to the incredibly fresh and sweet flavor.
Alaskan King Crab Legs vs Body
Most of the merchants only sell Alaskan king crab legs but not the whole king crabs. This is because their legs are the yummiest part of the whole crab. King crab legs are softer in touch and much more popular among gourmets. Unlike other sea creatures, these are sweeter and much more delicate. Cooked Alaskan king crab legs in proper seasoning taste succulent and tender.
The body of Alaskan king crab is sort of mushy, which is why it’s not eaten as a main dish usually. However, the taste of the king crab body is somewhat similar to that of legs.
That’s why most people prefer crab legs more than the whole crab.
► Read More: Snow Crab Legs – All you need to know
Is Alaskan King Crab Healthy to Eat? (Nutrients Facts)
Along with a sweet taste, Alaskan king crab also has a lot of health benefits. Since king crab is rich in protein, it’s beneficial in reducing inflammation and building muscles.
What’s more, it has a very low amount of fat and zero carbohydrates. This makes it a completely healthy choice. Also, the immune system functions better when you eat it as it contains a good amount of zinc as well. Here is a nutrition chart for 1 king crab leg.
Nutrition Facts for 1 Alaskan king crab leg (348 g):
| Calories | 337 kcal |
| Protein | 67.3 g |
| Fats | 5.4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sodium | 3730 mg |
| Potassium | 912 mg |
| Zinc | 26.5 mg |
| Cholesterol | 184 mg |
Where to Buy Yummy Alaskan King Crab Legs?
I would recommend ordering Alaskan King Crab Legs on The Crab Place. Because their king crab legs are fresh and meaty with the best price among king crab legs merchants, plus good shipping and customer service.
They offer 10% OFF for Alaskan King Crab Legs NOW which makes your purchase even more cost-effective! Don’t Miss Out!
How to Choose Alaskan King Crab Legs? (Price)
A question before placing any order should be asked, how many king crab legs should be prepared per person? I would say 1-2 lbs of crab legs are enough for an adult. But for the person with a larger appetite, 2-3 lbs are needed.
Crabs are graded by size. There are 3 choices you can find in The Crab Place.
Jumbo King Crab Legs
There are 1.25 legs/claws per pound approximately in this size.
| Jumbo King Crab Legs | Regular Price | Now (10% OFF!) |
| 1 lb | $53.99 | $48.59 |
| 5 lbs | $234.99 | $211.49 ($42.30 / lb) |
| 10 lbs | $469.99 | $422.99 ($42.30 / lb) |
Colossal King Crab Legs
There are 1 leg/claw per pound approximately in this size.
| Colossal King Crab Legs | Regular Price | Now (10% OFF!) |
| 1 lb | $57.99 | $52.19 |
| 5 lbs | $264.99 | $238.49 ($47.70 / lb) |
| 10 lbs | $509.99 | $458.99 ($45.90 / lb) |
Huge King Crab Legs
There are 0.75 leg/claws per pound approximately in this size (from 3 lbs).
| Huge King Crab Legs | Regular Price | Now (10% OFF!) |
| 3 lb | $170.99 | $153.89 |
| 6 lbs | $335.99 | $302.39 ($50.40 / lb) |
| 9 lbs | $492.99 | $443.69 ($49.30 / lb) |
About The Crab Place
The Crab Place has been based in Crisfield, Maryland since 1997. Crisfield is famous for seafood and it could even be said to be the seafood capital of America. The founder, Greg Cain, and his brother Matt have been crabbing since they could walk. They are absolutely fantastic in seafood, especially the Alaskan king crab legs!
Try once and you will love it!
Order Here and Get 10% OFF of Alaskan King Crab Legs!
How to Cook Alaskan King Crab Legs?
FAQ: How many king crab legs should I order per person?
1-2 lbs of crab legs / an adult
2-3 lbs for the person with a larger appetite
Alaskan king crab legs are already cooked commercially before they reach you. And you need to thaw them before seasoning or reheating. After this essential step, you can begin the process of cooking. There are several methods to prepare Alaskan king crab legs; go for the one you like the most.
1. Thaw
You can thaw king crab legs in the refrigerator overnight for 8-12 hours. Refrigerate the king crab legs by placing it in a dish with saran wrap loosely over the top. It’s to prevent moisture loss and keep the crab fresh.
Also, there is another way to thaw the Alaskan king crab legs quickly. Take a large pot and fill it with cold water. While the king crab legs are still inside the plastic bag, place that bag in the pot. It works really quickly if the plastic bag gets submerged in the water. Change the water twice or thrice after every 30 minutes. Once you feel that the crab legs have defrosted, you can take them out. They are ready to get cooked.
The above steps are also suitable for thawing a whole king crab.
2. Seasoning (Garlic Butter Sauce)
I am going to share my favorite sauce with which I make my Alaskan king crab legs, garlic butter sauce. Garlic butter sauce tastes delicious with every meal. When you pair it with Alaskan king crab legs, the dish will taste heavenly scrumptious. Garlic in butter with a hint of herbs makes the sauce so tasty. King crab legs dipped in this sauce will definitely make your day.
With this sauce, you can either bake, boil, steam or microwave the king crab legs. As the crab legs are precooked, you just need to reheat them for a couple minutes. Do not overcook them which will cause the meat to dry out and toughen.
- Alaskan king crab legs – 2 lbs
- Melted unsalted butter- 40 mL
- Garlic – 4 cloves
- Salt – ½ tsp
- Italian seasoning sachet – 1 tsp
- Optional: lemon – 2 slices
You can add your favorite seasoning instead of the Italian one.
3.1 Baking
To bake the crab legs, you will need a baking dish and aluminum foil.
Time Taken: 10 minutes
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the Alaskan king crab legs in the baking dish with the garlic butter sauce. Toss or brush them with the sauce.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Put the baking dish into the oven and cook for about 8 minutes.
3.2 Boiling
To boil the crab legs, you will need a tall cooking pot.
Time taken: 10 minutes
Steps:
- Fill the tall cooking pot half full with water. Add salt and Italian seasoning sachet; heat to boiling.
- Add the Alaskan king crab legs and reduce heat to medium. Boil them for 5 minutes.
- Take the crab legs out and serve with melted unsalted butter and minced garlic.
3.3 Steaming
To steam the crab legs, you will need a tall cooking pot with a lid, a steaming rack and a dish.
Time taken: 10 minutes
Steps:
- Set the steaming rack inside the tall cooking pot with water that just covers the rack.
- Place the Alaskan king crab legs in a dish with the garlic butter sauce. Toss or brush them with the sauce.
- Once the water is boiling, place the dish on the steaming rack. Cover the pot and steam for 5-8 minutes.
3.4 Microwaving
This is the fastest way to reheat the king crab legs. To microwave the crab legs, you will need a damp paper towel and a dish.
Time taken: 5 minutes
Steps:
- Place the Alaskan king crab legs on a dish.
- Cover it over a damp paper towel.
- Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes until their centers are hot.
Drink for Alaskan King Crab Legs
You need to find a drink that does not overpower the taste of your main dish. White wine is a perfect match with crabs which elevate the taste.
As the Alaskan king crab legs are cooked with simple seasonings, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are the most suitable wine for it.
a. Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a good choice for king crab dishes as its mild nature brings out the fresh sweet taste of the crab but does not overwhelm it. Buttery seafood is well-matched with the fruity and rich flavors of Chardonnay harmoniously. Try this to put the finishing touches on the crab.
b. Sauvignon Blanc
Delicate seafood does nicely with Sauvignon Blanc. The acidic flavor of Sauvignon Blanc brightens up the light meat of Alaskan king crab which enhances the freshness of the crab. Pairing with this wine makes every bite worth it.
c. Fruit Cocktails
If you don’t drink white wine, try fruit cocktails. You can make a cocktail of fruits that you like the most. While making the cocktail, make sure to keep the amount of sugar moderate. As a lot of sugar can clash with the sweetness of the Alaskan king crab and make it taste worse.
Side dish for Alaskan King Crab Legs
Nothing is yummier than eating crab legs solely. But you will need some side dishes for carbohydrates as Alaskan king crab legs are carb-free. Here are some recommendations for you.
a. Pasta
Well, yes, cheesy pasta complements well with the king crab legs. Cheesy pasta gives the best taste with succulent king crab legs. However, if you like, you can prepare any pasta of your choice.
b. Baked potatoes
Potatoes enhance the taste of every dish you eat them with. Baked potatoes are the best choice if you don’t want a lot of spices or toppings. Mashed, fried, and roasted potatoes also go well with king crab legs.
c. Salad
King crab legs alone taste so much better and delicious. However, a hint of vegetables in the form of salad will make the best pair. A few green leaves, corn and your favorite toppings will make this whole dish more delicious.
Summary
Alaskan king crab is sooooo delicious and worth trying, at least once in a lifetime. The best part is its legs, which are widely eaten. Once you try that, you will definitely ask for more.
Not only do king crab legs taste delicious, but they are also very easy to make. Defrosting takes time; the rest of the process is quite simple and quick. There is no reason to not try it.
Get Alaskan king crab right away with a discount and feed your family and friends with this delicious food paired with the right drink and side dish!
