Snow Crab Legs are heaven on a plate. They taste meaty, tender, juicy, and sweet with a bit briny. Here is a complete guide that includes everything you need to know about snow crab legs. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What is Snow Crab?
Snow crab, the basic snow crab genus name is Chionoecetes, which breaks off into various species, is also referred to as queen crab, spider crab, and Kani (sushi).
It flourishes in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, in locations such as Alaska, Maine, Norway, Greenland, Canada, and even Russia, favoring the deep, cold water environment of these northern seas.
The snow crab is so-called because of its meat, which turns from red to snowy white when cooked, and has a deliciously sweet, mild, flavor with a subtly briny tang to it. People rave about snow crab legs and their delicate flavor and firm texture. Snow crab meat will break off in a few long pieces, and is frequently served shredded.
You can identify the snow crab by its hard round carapace, or protective shell, which is normally a brown to light red color – a pale colored shell indicates illness – and its white or yellow abdomen. The shell encasing the legs should be orange-red in color if the crab is healthy.
They have 5 pairs of spider-like legs, 4 pairs of walking legs and one pair of claws or pincers which are either smaller or the same length as their walking legs. The carapaces of male snow crabs can reach a carapace width of 6.5 in, and females can grow as much as 3.7 in. It’s normal for males to weigh 1.1-3.0 lb and females around 1.1 lb.
Why is Snow Crab so Expensive?
The price for snow crab has soared to record heights, attributed largely to there simply not being enough to go around, and global demand which continues to rise. Here are some of the things that have been contributing to this problem:
1. Limited Availability
a. Limited harvest time
While the harvest season does fluctuate, it generally starts off in April when the ice first begins to break up. However, location plays a part in when crab season begins. It lasts through late October or early November. On the other hand, Alaska permits fishing for this tasty, well-liked crustacean from January to April, and in Canada hunting is permitted from April to August.
b. Climate change
In the Bering Sea climate change has had its effect on the snow crab population as well. The gradual warming of the sea has resulted in loss of sea ice, and both conditions have driven the crabs away. When they are young, snow crabs live in cold water but have been moving further north as they get older, migrating to warmer waters with maturity.
c. Limited harvest of males
At harvest time for the snow crabs a minimum limit has been placed on the size of the male crabs. Allowing only for the harvesting of male crabs that are 95mm or larger. It usually takes 7-9 years for male snow crabs to grow to the legal minimum size. The result has been a big drop in the number of male snow crabs being harvested each season.
2. High Demand
Usually snow crab price per pound lands between $20-$35. In May and June of 2019, due to rising demand, the U.S. had to import 81% of Canada’s snow crab. This was in large part due to the COVID virus and the fact that people were remaining at home and not eating out. This caused online sales to quadruple, as people rushed to find an alternative to restaurants and other forms of eating out.
In the first 9 months of 2020 the United States imported 59 339 tonnes of crab meat in general. The demand has remained steady for several years now, as people continue to enjoy this tasty seafood.
Snow Crab vs King Crab
Crab is available in a diverse array of sizes, shapes, flavors, and textures. The two most familiar types are the snow crab and king crab, both of which are consumed mainly for their tasty leg meat. Normally the meat from the body is not eaten. They have several notable differences that separate them from one another.
1. Size and Legs
Size is the most easily apparent difference between snow and king crabs.
Snow crabs have exceptionally long legs and have a notably thinner shell. Snow crabs can weigh an average of 2 to 4 pounds, but their smaller size provides a delectable taste. Male snow crabs are double the size of the females.
King crabs can weigh as much as 20 pounds and measure as much as 5 feet across. If you purchase king crab legs in a supermarket, their weight would be around 6 pounds a piece. While king crab legs are shorter than those of a snow crab, they make up for this discrepancy in weight.
2. Habitat and Season
You can typically find snow crabs in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, where they enjoy the colder, deep waters. Their harvest season takes off in late fall and can extend into the early summer months.
The harvesting season for the Alaskan king crab is quite a bit shorter, and their habitat smaller. They can be found in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia, where fishermen can harvest them for several weeks between the late fall and early part of winter. This short harvesting time does a lot to contribute to the high price of this seafood.
► Read More: Alaskan King Crab Buying Guide with 4 Easy Cooking Methods
3. Taste and Texture
Snow crab is possessed of a marvelously sweet yet just a bit briny taste. While alaska king crab is renowned for its fantastic flavor. The leg meat is sweet and rich in taste, a lot like lobster meat.
Snow crab has a firm texture that is more fibrous than that of the king crab. Its meat can be easily broken apart and shredded into small pieces. The shells of snow crab legs break open and crack with only your hands unless it is overcooked.
King crab legs require a bit of extra work. They are quite a lot thicker than those of the snow crab, with a spike, hard to crack shell. A cracking tool is usually necessary when trying to reach its delicious meat.
4. Price and Availability
Snow crab legs typically cost a great deal less than king crab legs which can be quite expensive. Furthermore, they are a sustainably managed seafood and responsibly harvested as well. Snow crab legs have a longer harvesting season, are easier to locate, and all of this is why they are priced so much lower.
King crab has a shorter season for harvesting, and its availability is limited. All of this is a recipe for making this crab a lot more costly.
Is Snow Crab Healthy to Eat? (Nutrients Facts)
Definitely YES!
Snow crab is loaded with protein, which is essential for building and up keeping muscle. Apart from that, it is low in fat, carbohydrate free, and low in calories. Yet, it provides plentiful vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients help to improve health in general, and provide protection from heart disease, among other nutritional benefits. So you don’t have to be anxious when eating snow crab, because it provides many good health benefits
Below is a nutrition chart of 1 pound snow crab legs:
| Calories | 190 kcal |
| Protein | 40 g |
| Fats | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sodium | 1144 mg |
| Potassium | 360 mg |
| Cholesterol | 118 mg |
Where to Buy Quality Snow Crab Legs?
Snow crab legs are usually sold in clusters and classified according to the size.
You can buy it in The Crab Place which provides high quality snow crab legs at a nice price, as well as good shipping and customer service.
There are 3 choices in The Crab Place:
3) Colossal Snow Crab Clusters
You can order from 3 lbs while we suggest preparing 1 lb of snow crab legs per person. Of course, you need more if you are a big fan of crab!
Although snow crab legs are quite an expensive food, The Crab Place always offers discounts. Do go to their website and have a look. You will get the best food experience!
How to Cook Snow Crab Legs?
Since most snow crabs are sold pre-cooked, all you need to do is thaw them out and reheat them before eating.
Thaw Snow Crab Legs
The proper way to thaw out frozen crab legs is to put them in the refrigerator overnight (at least 8 hours). Refrigerate the snow crab legs by wrapping it with saran wrap loosely over the top in a dish. It’s to keep it moist and fresh.
4 Ways to Cook Snow Crab Legs
a. Steaming
Take a large stock pot and put a steam basket at the bottom of it in 1 cup of water. Fill the pot with crab legs and boil the water. Cover the pot tightly once it’s boiling and steam cook for around 5 mins, or until their centers are hot.
b. Grilling
With heavy-duty aluminum foil, make a foil pack to hold snow crab legs. Grill over medium to high heat, around 450°F for 10 mins, or until their centers are hot.
c. Baking
Make a foil pack with clusters of snow crab legs. Lay on a baking sheet positioned on the center rack of the pre-heated oven, and bake at 450°F for 15 mins, or until their centers are hot.
d. Microwaving
Place in the microwave and cover with a damp towel. Heat on defrost for 5 mins, or until their centers are hot.
How to Enjoy Snow Crab Legs?
a. Sauce for Snow Crab
A matched sauce could bring snow crab to the next level. Here are two recommendations of sauce.
1. Garlic Butter Sauce
Melt 4 Tbsp butter in a medium saucepan to which you add 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. You should stir for about 30 seconds until the aroma is strong, then take off the stove. Squeeze in 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice.
2. Cocktail Sauce
Combine all of the following ingredients: ketchup, prepared horseradish, chili sauce, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and add a bit of hot sauce.
Take that first bite of your snow crab legs without dipping it in sauce. That way you will get the full effect of the flavor of the crab.
b. Drink for Snow Crab
- Chardonnay
- Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade
- Sparkling Cranberry Pineapple Punch
c. Side Dish for Snow Crab
- Grilled Corn in Foil
- Avocado Corn Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
Summary
Snow Crab is a great choice for celebration and holiday, especially their succulent legs. It is worth trying and you won’t regret it!
