The Most Popular Crab to Eat, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the crab you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 21, 2024 06:58
Crab lovers often ponder over which variety to pick for their next meal. Whether for a family feast or a solo treat, the decision can be daunting given the plethora of choices. That's why understanding which types of crab are favored by others can be incredibly useful. It aids in making an informed decision that ensures a delightful culinary experience.
This site serves as a collective decision-making assistant, driven by the preferences of individuals who share your taste for exceptional seafood. By casting your vote, you not only contribute to the culinary community but also help shape the consensus on the best crabs to eat. This dynamic ranking evolves with each vote, reflecting the latest trends and tastes in seafood cuisine.
What Is the Most Popular Crab to Eat?
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173votes
NOAA · Public domainIt is the most popular crab to eat in the United States. Its sweet and tender meat is perfect for crab cakes and crab soup. It is also commonly found in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, and Virginia.The Blue Crab is a species of crab that is highly popular for consumption. It is known for its bluish-green colored shell, which gives it its name. This crab is found in the waters of the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It is coveted for its succulent, sweet meat and is a favorite among seafood enthusiasts.- Scientific Name: Callinectes sapidus
- Habitat: Western Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico
- Size: Adults can grow up to 6 inches in width
- Color: Bluish-green shell with olive-green markings
- Shell Shape: Broad and somewhat triangular
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234votes
Dan Boone · Public domainIt is popular on the West Coast of the United States, especially in California. It has a sweet and delicate flavor, and its meat is perfect for salads and sandwiches.The Dungeness Crab (scientifically known as Metacarcinus magister) is a species of crab that is highly valued for its sweet and tender meat. It is named after the port of Dungeness in Washington state where the crab was first commercially harvested. Dungeness Crabs can be found along the North American Pacific coast, from Alaska to California. They are known for their distinctive appearance with a reddish-brown exoskeleton and whitish-yellow underside.- Size: Typically measures around 6-7 inches across the carapace.
- Weight: Adults can weigh up to 2-3 pounds or more.
- Meat Texture: The meat is firm and succulent with a delicate, slightly sweet flavor.
- Habitat: Found in coastal waters, commonly dwelling in sandy or muddy areas.
- Diet: Feeds on a variety of sea creatures, including clams, mussels, small fish, and algae.
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322votesIt is popular in North America, Europe, and Asia. It has a delicate, sweet taste and is often used in sushi rolls, salads, and soups.Snow Crab, also known as Chionoecetes opilio, is a popular type of crab that is widely consumed in various cuisines around the world. It is a crustacean that belongs to the family of spider crabs.
- Scientific Name: Chionoecetes opilio
- Average Size: 10-20 cm (4-8 inches)
- Weight: 0.5-1.5 pounds
- Color: Light reddish-brown to dark red
- Habitat: North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans
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421votesIt is popular in North America, Europe, and Asia. It has a sweet and succulent taste and is often served steamed with butter.The King Crab, also known as the Alaskan King Crab or Red King Crab, is a highly prized species of crab that is widely regarded as one of the most delicious and sought-after types of crab to eat. It is known for its large size, sweet and succulent meat, and distinctive flavor.
- Average Size: Leg span of up to six feet
- Weight: Can weigh up to 10 pounds
- Habitat: Native to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
- Shell Color: Reddish-brown to burgundy shade
- Claw Size: Large, meaty claws
King Crab in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular food in Ushuaia, Argentina
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58votesIt is popular in Florida, especially in Miami. Its meat is firm and sweet, and it is often served with mustard sauce.The Stone Crab is a type of crab known for its delightful meat and unique harvesting method. It is native to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast of the United States, particularly Florida. The Stone Crab gets its name from its hard, stone-like shell which helps protect it from predators. Its delicate and sweet-tasting meat is highly sought after by seafood enthusiasts around the world.
- Scientific Name: Menippe mercenaria
- Size: Claw length: 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm)
- Color: Reddish-brown with gray patches
- Habitat: Coastal sandy or rocky bottoms
- Distribution: Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast of the United States
Stone Crab in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular food in Miami, Florida
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67votes
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region · Public domainIt is popular in New England, especially in Maine. It has a sweet and rich flavor, and its meat is often used in crab cakes and seafood stews.The Jonah Crab is a species of crab known for its delicious meat and distinctive appearance. It is commonly found along the eastern coast of North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida. The name 'Jonah Crab' originated from the saying that the prophet Jonah was swallowed by a whale, and the crab's tendency to occupy empty mussel shells, resembling a hiding place. The Jonah Crab has become a popular choice for seafood lovers, thanks to its sweet and tender meat.- Scientific Name: Cancer borealis
- Size: Up to 6 inches in width
- Color: Mottled brown or reddish-brown
- Legs: 10, including the pincers
- Habitat: Sandy or muddy ocean floors
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77votesIt is popular on the West Coast of the United States, especially in Oregon and Washington. It has a sweet and mild taste, and it is often served with garlic butter.The Red Rock Crab, also known as Cancer productus, is a popular choice for seafood enthusiasts. It is a species of crab native to the west coast of North America, ranging from Alaska to California. This crab gets its name from the distinctive red color of its carapace and legs, which makes it easily recognizable. It is highly sought after for its delicious and sweet meat, often used in various culinary preparations.
- Scientific Name: Cancer productus
- Habitat: West coast of North America
- Color: Red
- Size: Up to 6 inches wide
- Weight: Up to 2 pounds
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89votesIt is popular in Southeast Asia, Australia, and Africa. Its meat is sweet and succulent, and it is often used in curries and stir-fries.The Mud Crab is a species of crab commonly found in mangroves, estuaries, and muddy coastal areas. It is well-known for its delicious meat, making it a popular choice among seafood enthusiasts. The crustacean has a sturdy exoskeleton and its color can vary from dark brown to greenish-gray. Mud Crabs are known for their large pincers, which they use to catch prey and defend themselves.
- Scientific Name: Scylla serrata
- Size: Up to 25 cm in shell width
- Weight: Can reach up to 3 kg
- Habitat: Mangroves, estuaries, muddy coastal areas
- Geographical Range: Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to Australia
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98votesIt is a popular delicacy in the United States, especially in the South. It is a blue crab that has recently molted, and its entire body is edible. It is often fried and served on a sandwich.Soft-Shell Crab is a culinary delicacy made from crabs that have recently molted their hard outer shells, allowing their new shells to remain soft and edible. The entire crab, including its shell, is typically consumed. Soft-Shell Crab is known for its tender texture and sweet, delicate flavor, making it a popular choice among seafood lovers.
- Texture: Soft and tender
- Flavor: Sweet and delicate
- Shell: Edible
- Color: Varies depending on the species
- Size: Ranges from small to large, depending on the crab species
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107votesIt is popular in Japan and other parts of Asia. Its meat is sweet and delicate, and it is often used in sushi and seafood salads.The Spider Crab, also known as the Japanese Spider Crab, is a species of crab that is widely recognized for its enormous size and distinctive appearance. These crabs have long, slender legs, with the front pair being significantly elongated and resembling spider limbs. They have a round body with a hard exoskeleton that can reach up to 15 inches (38 cm) in width, making them one of the largest crabs in the world.
- Scientific Name: Macrocheira kaempferi
- Size: Body width up to 15 inches (38 cm)
- Leg Span: Up to 12 feet (3.7 meters)
- Weight: Can exceed 40 pounds (18 kg)
- Habitat: Deep sea regions, primarily around Japan
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Ranking factors for popular crab
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AvailabilityThe availability of a particular crab species in a given region can impact its popularity. Some crabs, like the blue crab, are more commonly found in certain areas, making them a local favorite. Seasonality also plays a role in availability, as some crabs can only be harvested at specific times of the year.
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SustainabilityAs the demand for seafood increases, so does the need for sustainable harvesting practices. Choosing crab species that are sustainably sourced or caught can help preserve crab populations and maintain the health of marine ecosystems.
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Meat yieldSome crabs have a higher meat-to-shell ratio, meaning you'll get more edible meat from the crab. This factor can influence the popularity of certain species, as people tend to prefer crab with a higher yield of meat.
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Ease of preparationSome crab species are easier to cook and clean than others. For example, soft-shell crabs are easier to prepare than hard-shell crabs, as they don't require removal of the shell. The difficulty of preparation can impact the popularity of a certain type of crab.
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PriceThe cost of crab can vary greatly depending on the species, season, and geographical location. Some crab species, like king crab, are considered a luxury item and can be quite expensive, while others, like blue crab, might be more affordable. The price of crab can influence its popularity among consumers.
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Nutritional contentCrabs are a good source of protein, as well as vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc. The nutritional content of different crab species can vary, and this may influence their popularity among health-conscious consumers.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular crab to eat. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or crab is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1762 views
- 189 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each crab once every 24 hours. The rank of each crab is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular crab to eat
Crab is a highly sought-after seafood delicacy that is enjoyed by people all over the world. It is a versatile ingredient that can be prepared in many different ways, from steamed and boiled to grilled and fried. There are many different types of crabs that are commonly consumed, but some are more popular than others.
One of the most popular crabs to eat is the blue crab, which is native to the eastern coast of North America. Blue crabs are known for their sweet and succulent meat and are a common ingredient in dishes like crab cakes, crab bisque, and crab boils. Another popular crab is the Dungeness crab, which is found on the west coast of North America. Dungeness crabs have a delicate and slightly sweet flavor that is highly prized by seafood lovers.
Other types of crabs that are commonly consumed include snow crab, king crab, and stone crab. Snow crabs are found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and have a sweet, delicate flavor. King crabs are larger and have a slightly more robust flavor that is often described as sweet and slightly briny. Stone crabs are known for their large claws, which are prized for their tender meat and delicate flavor.
Overall, there are many different types of crabs that are popular to eat, each with their own unique flavor and texture. Whether you prefer the sweet and succulent meat of the blue crab or the delicate flavor of the Dungeness crab, there is a type of crab out there that is sure to satisfy your
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