If you’re here to find out what crab legs taste like, brace yourself because this article will have your mouth watering.
Crab legs are a fantastic seafood delicacy and truly a hidden treasure. They have a deliciously-sweet flavor and meaty texture. The succulent meat tastes best steamed or grilled paired with melted butter and aromatic spices.
Whether you’re a crab connoisseur or a first-time trier, keep reading to learn more about the flavor and texture. We’ll also be covering different types to help you find the best-tasting crab legs. So get ready to smash and plunder them!
What Do Crab Legs Taste Like?
Crab legs are perhaps the most sought-after part due to their unusual yet delicious flavor! Their meat has a subtle and salty-sweet taste. Depending on how you prepare the legs, you may notice a buttery-sweet flavor.
Crab legs are usually slender and spidery with a hard and spikey exterior; on the inside is the much sought-after, delicate flesh. You’ll need a cracking tool to break the thick shell and reach that succulent meat.
Leg meat is best known for its rich, sweet flavor and soft and flaky texture. Surprisingly, the flesh tastes quite tender and juicy. The leg meat tastes slightly like chicken and other mild sea creatures, such as lobster or shrimp. However, unlike the rest of the crab meat, the leg meat doesn’t have an off-putting, fishy taste.
The delicate flavors shine through best when the meat is well-cooked as it helps preserve their taste and texture. The best method is to steam, boil, or grill them, as it ensures a delicate texture. However, undercooking it may turn the meat slightly rubbery.
Does crab legs have a fishy taste?
No, crab legs don’t have a fishy taste. Although other parts of the crab do have a fishy taste, crab legs have a different flavor profile.
Are Crab Legs Good?
Crab legs don’t only taste good but are also great for your health! They’re a rich source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The former helps the body build muscle, while the latter contributes to good cardiovascular health.
If you’re worried about the crab legs causing you to gain weight, you’ll be happy to learn that they’re low in calories and fat. They’re a healthy yet delicious option if you’re looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle without compromising the taste!
Additionally, crab meat is also high in vitamin B12 and selenium, essential for maintaining health and preventing several diseases.
The Blue crabs contain other vital nutrients, such as vitamin E and choline. Similarly, King crabs are pretty nutrient-dense; you’ll find vitamin C, folate, magnesium, zinc, copper, etc.
They’re an excellent choice of seafood for their mild flavor in terms of taste. That means you get to play around with spices and herbs as it picks up the seasoning while you’re preparing them. Moreover, when you boil them, crab legs taste quite delectable on their own; the delicate flavor pairs well with melted butter and fresh salad on the side.
Types of Crab Legs
- Alaskan King
This variety is an expensive one owing to its size and weight. It’s a massive crustacean, weighing up to 10 pounds! The meat of King crabs is quite delicate and sweet; it turns white when cooked. You won’t need to prepare it with a whole lot of ingredients; some garlic butter will suffice to bring out the naturally sweet flavor of this crustacean!
- Snow/Rock Crab
Snow or rock crabs reside in rocky waters. They are also known as spider crabs for their slender and spiny legs. You’ll find this variety at any restaurant you go to! Its meat tastes nice and sweet. Steam the snow crab legs to get the thick meat out without much effort.
- Dungeness
The Dungeness Crabs of North America are purple-brown crustaceans, primarily known for their mildly sweet flavor and juicy, pink meat. They’re among the larger species, easily weighing 2-4 pounds.
- Blue Crab
This specie is best known for its distinct blue hue. What’s most interesting is that the crustacean turns a bright red once it’s cooked! Blue crabs have a unique flavor and flaky texture. Serve the sweet-tasting leg meat with butter and lemon for the best taste experience!
Best Tasting Crab Legs
Let’s break down the list to find the best-tasting crab legs!
Easily, the Colossal Red King crab is the best choice if you’re looking for a higher ratio of meat-to-shell. The higher meat content means more taste and a greater amount of protein than any other variety of crabs! You’ll notice the King crab resembles lobster meat in terms of the mildness of flavor. It has a non-fishy and sweet taste. The Centolla fueguina of the King crab family is another great catch for its sweet and delicate flavor notes.
Another great option is the snow crab, which tastes sweet and mildly salty at the same time. Its flesh is firm and breaks apart into chunks. The relatively soft exterior means an easy-to-snap shell! But, with five legs on each side, the snow crabs can be a little messy to eat. However, we reckon the flavor is well worth the effort!
In comparison, the Dungeness crab tastes quite sweet, almost nutty! However, its meat tastes slightly less sweet than the Blue crab; it’s still a sought-after sea creature nonetheless!
Ultimately, if you want to choose the best crab for its leg meat, then a fresh and well-prepared crustacean is the best one! Simply put, fresh crabs have the best meat quality; frozen crabs, when thawed for long lose their flavor.
In our opinion, both King and snow crab legs are rich in flavor, and their meat is known to be the best tasting of all the crabs!
Conclusion
Crab legs have the most succulent and delicious meat of all crab parts. It has a mild flavor with hints of both sweet and salty notes.
Besides being a flavorful delicacy, it is a rich source of vital nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, etc. The best part is that crab legs have less fat and calories, so you get to enjoy the crustacean without any guilt!
Although there are dozens of species out there, we find the King crabs the best leg meat option. The flavor is rich and has a premium feel, whereas the texture is smooth and delicate. You won’t find a salty flavor in the King crab legs, unlike other sea creatures! Try it and let us know what you think.