Named for the snowy white meat encased in this coveted crab’s long, meaty legs, the snow crab is one of Alaska’s prized crustaceans and a delicate and flaky treat.
Also called the Opilio crab, this species of crab thrives in the globe’s chilly northern seas, from the North Pacific to the Northwest Atlantic. They burrow and scuttle along sandy or muddy ocean floors, scavenging for bits of shellfish, worms, fish, other crustaceans, and even smaller species members.
What Does Snow Crab Taste Like?
Wild, sustainably-caught Alaskan snow crab has a delicate sweet flavor that’s mildly oceanic. When prepared properly, the meat is juicy and succulent. The preparation method can influence the taste, whether steamed, boiled, grilled, or incorporated into a complex dish.
Typically, it’s sold pre-cooked and flash-frozen. This way, the meat retains its texture and flavor so that you can enjoy it year-round.
Is Alaskan Snow Crab healthy?
Ready-to-eat snow crab from sustainable sources without additives, chemicals, or preservatives is a delicious and healthy seafood option for shellfish and seafood lovers. You’ll get about ½ of a cup of meat, or two ounces, from every five legs.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition per 3-ounce serving:
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Calories: 120 calories
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Fat: 5 gram
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Protein: 16 grams
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Vitamin D: 0 micrograms, or 0% RDI
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Potassium: 261 milligrams, or 6% RDI
Is Alaskan Snow Crab sustainable?
Snow crab harvest practices in Alaska are sustainable. The fishing method uses mesh-covered steel-frame pots that have minimal impact on the surrounding habitat and result in practically no bycatch. The state of Alaska also monitors crab population numbers closely to ensure that stocks remain healthy and abundant enough to sustain themselves.
Following a recent population collapse, snow crab fisheries were closed for the 2022-2023 and will remain closed until population numbers can recover. Frozen crab from previous harvest seasons can be enjoyed sustainably.
How to Prepare Alaskan Snow Crab
Enjoy snow crab legs chilled or warmed by steaming, boiling, or baking. Just don’t leave them on the heat for too long, as you want the meat to stay moist and tender. Store whatever you don’t use in the refrigerator for three to five days.
Flash-frozen snow crab legs and claws often come separated into individual segments and pre-scored to make them easy to eat. The easiest way to heat them up is to steam the crab legs for about five minutes or until hot.
This variety of crab has a clean, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with seasonings and aromatics such as fragrant and bright citrus, herbaceous wine, and punchy garlic butter.
Where to Buy Alaskan Snow Crab
Stock your kitchen with sustainably-caught crab by sourcing your seafood online from Wild Alaskan Company. You’ll get high-quality, wild-caught seafood delivered straight to your doorstep. Order your seafood box online today.
