King crab legs are a delicious seafood delicacy, but they come in a wide variety of sizes. Knowing how to size king crab legs can be helpful in ensuring you’re getting the right amount of crab for your meal. Different sizes of king crab legs are available and the size you choose can depend on the number of people you are serving. While the size of king crab legs can vary greatly, the legs are typically measured by weight. Understanding the different sizes can help you select the perfect king crab legs for your meal.
Overview of King Crab Legs
King crab legs are a delicious delicacy that come from a large species of crab that can be found in the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean. There are two main species of crabs that are used for king crab legs, red king crab and blue king crab. King crab legs are also known as snow crab legs, Alaskan king crab legs, or blue leg crab. They are the edible portion of the crab’s legs and are a source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and many essential amino acids. They are often served as part of seafood buffets or as a main course at dinner. King crab legs can be served alone or with other seafood such as lobster, shrimp, mussels, or clams. They can also be used in a variety of other dishes including soups and salads. King crab legs are a delicious, decadent seafood delicacy that can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of their dietary restrictions.
How King Crab Legs Are Sized Wholesale
The most important thing to know is that king crab size is NOT based on one-pound measurements. Instead, sizing is based on the number of king crab legs in a ten-pound package. Using an example from the list below, a 6/9 size of super-jumbo or super-colossal king crab would mean that 6 to 9 legs comprises a ten-pound package. Medium size provides about 16 to 20 legs per ten pounds, and so on.
Some retailers use the same measurement system with different labels, which can cause ordering issues. This less-widely used approach uses the same ten-pound sizing scale, but the king crab size is framed in per-leg weight, making the customer think they’re getting more than they are. For example, 1lb leg would equal the ten-pound package. With that in mind, a 3lb leg would be the equivalent of a 6/9 measurement.
King Crab Sizes
6/9 (super-jumbo or super-colossal)
- Retailing for a few hundred dollars, a ten-pound package of super-jumbo or super-colossal king crab legs are truly a specialty.
9/12 (jumbo, reserve, colossal, gargantuan)
- Jumbo-sized king crab measures about one pound per leg and might be perfect for your next dinner party.
12/14 (extra-large)
- More difficult to find, but not impossible. This size could be a sweet spot for consumers looking for moderately sized king crab.
14/16 (large)
- This is the size most often confused with jumbo
16/20 (medium)
- Perhaps more affordable than the larger sizes and an amount possibly fit for a larger group.
20/24 (small)
- Just about a half-pound per leg. Tinier, but tasty!
24+ (extra-small)
- The smallest size available, and many providers might not have this option depending on their stock.
How King Crab Legs Are Typically Sized at the Retail Market
King crab legs are typically sized by the weight of each individual leg. The average weight of a king crab leg is 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. King crab legs are sold by the pound and usually come in a wide range of sizes and weights. Stores that sell king crab legs usually have them sorted by size, with smaller legs at the front of the display and larger legs towards the back. Depending on where you’re buying them, king crab legs may be labeled with a number followed by a letter that indicates the size of the leg. The letter indicates the leg’s size as follows: A = small, B = medium, and C = large.
The number indicates the weight of the crab leg in ounces. For example, a 4/C king crab leg is 4 ounces or about 113 grams. You can use these numbers to help you select the appropriate size of king crab legs for your meal. Smaller legs are typically 1.5 to 2 pounds and can be used for up to 4 people. Medium legs are 2 to 2.5 pounds and are good for up to 6 people. Large king crab legs are 2.5 to 4 pounds and can feed up to 8 people.
Factors to Consider When Buying King Crab Legs
- Leg Volume – The volume of the king crab legs you buy is just as important as their size. Smaller legs are denser and will have a higher volume than larger legs. With smaller legs, you can fit more on a table than with larger legs.
- Cost – King crab legs are an expensive seafood delicacy. The average price for a pound of king crab legs is between $35 and $50. You can find king crab legs on sale though and can often find good deals online or at seafood buffets.
- Preparation – King crab legs can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They can be eaten as a main course dish, added to soups or salads, used to make a casserole, or added to a wide range of other dishes.
- Dietary Restrictions – While king crab legs can be enjoyed by everyone, there are some considerations to keep in mind if you have dietary restrictions. King crab legs are high in cholesterol, but they also have high levels of protein and have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease in people with high cholesterol.
Common King Crab Leg Sizes
King crab legs come in a wide range of sizes and everyone has their own preference on what size they like to eat. You can find king crab legs for as small as 1.5 pounds and up to 4 pounds. The table below outlines the most common king crab leg sizes.
King crab leg size – King crab leg size range – Average king crab leg size
1 – 1.5 lb – Small – 1.5 lb
1.5 – 2 lb – Medium – 2 lb – 2 – 2.5 lb – Large – 2.5 lb – 2.5 – 3 lb – Extra large – 3 lb – 4 – 4 lb – Jumbo – 4.5 lb
Recipes for Different Sized King Crab Legs
Knowing how to size king crab legs can help you select the right amount for your meal. Once you know how many people you are serving and what size of king crab legs you want to buy, you can start to think about how you want to cook them. King crab legs can be cooked a variety of ways including steaming, boiling, boiling in a pot with corn or potatoes, or baked in the oven with a little butter, spices, and breadcrumbs. It is important to consider how you want to serve your king crab legs and how long you want to cook them. Smaller legs only take a few minutes to cook, while larger legs can take up to an hour depending.
Smaller legs – Smaller king crab legs can be boiled for about 5 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked. They can also be steamed for about 3 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked.
Medium legs – Medium-sized king crab legs can be boiled for about 8 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked. They can also be steamed for about 5 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked.
Large legs – Large king crab legs should be boiled for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked. They can also be steamed for 7 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked.
Jumbo legs – Jumbo king crab legs should be boiled for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked.
Tips for Cooking and Serving King Crab Legs
- Buy the Right Amount – When you are buying king crab legs, it is important to buy the right amount. You don’t want to buy too many and have leftover crab legs, but you also don’t want to buy too few. Buying too many crab legs is wasteful, and buying too few can cause disappointment. By knowing how to size king crab legs, you can buy the amount that is perfect for your meal.
- Keep Them Warm – You can keep your king crab legs warm by wrapping them in a towel, covering them in foil, or placing them on a heat-resistant plate with a warm towel over them.
- Serve with a Sauce – King crab legs are delicious, but they don’t have much flavour on their own. To spice them up, serve them with a sauce. Common sauces to pair with crab legs include cocktail sauce, remoulade, citrus sauce, and chili sauce.
Benefits of Eating King Crab Legs
- Protein Source – King crab legs are a great source of protein. They contain around 33 grams of protein per 100 grams of crab meat.
- Nutrients and vitamins – King crab legs are also a good source of essential vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc.
- Low in Fat – King crab legs are low in fat and contain about 1.5 grams of fat per 100 grams of crab meat.
- Helps Lower Cholesterol – According to studies, there is evidence that eating king crab legs lowers cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease in people with high cholesterol.
Where to Buy King Crab Legs
You can buy king crab legs at many different stores and supermarkets. If you are buying king crab legs from a store, you should check the sell-by date on the packaging to make sure they are fresh. You can also buy king crab legs online. Online seafood retailers often have very cheap king crab legs and sales. You can also buy king crab legs at seafood buffets where they can be bought by the pound. If you buy king crab legs at a store or seafood buffet, make sure they are fresh and have a sell-by date that is not too close to the date you are eating them. It is important to store king crab legs properly when you buy them so they stay fresh. Store them in the coldest part of your refrigerator, not in the freezer where they will freeze and become unusable. Keep them covered in a towel or plastic wrap to keep them moist.
Summary
King crab legs are delicious, decadent seafood delicacies that
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