King crab is a popular and delicious seafood dish, known for its large size and succulent meat. King crab legs can often be over a foot long, and a whole king crab can weigh up to 10 pounds or more. But with all that meat, many diners wonder – can you really eat a whole king crab by yourself?
How big is a whole king crab?
King crabs, also known as stone crabs, are among the largest crab species in the world. The two most common varieties are red king crab and blue king crab.
Red king crabs are found in the cold waters of the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and Northern Pacific. Full grown males can have a leg span of 5-6 feet and weigh 10-15 pounds. Females reach about half that size.
Blue king crabs inhabit the deep waters around St. Matthew Island and the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea. They are slightly smaller than red kings, with leg spans up to 5 feet and weight up to 12 pounds.
So as you can see, king crabs are very large crustaceans. An entire crab consists of the main body, full set of legs, and claws. They are prized by seafood lovers for their thick, meaty legs and claws.
How much meat is on a whole king crab?
Though king crabs have a large overall size, the amount of edible meat is smaller than you might expect. Here is the meat yield you can typically get from different size crabs:
– 5 pound red king crab – about 1 pound of meat
– 8 pound red king crab – about 1.5 to 2 pounds of meat
– 12 pound red king crab – about 2.5 to 3 pounds of meat
– 5 pound blue king crab – about 1.25 pounds of meat
– 8 pound blue king crab – about 2 pounds of meat
– 12 pound blue king crab – about 3 pounds of meat
The legs and claws contain the majority of meat. The body and shell contain inedible parts like organs and cartilage.
So out of a very large king crab, you’re realistically getting 2-4 pounds of actual crab meat to eat.
Estimating how much crab you can eat
Now that we know how big king crabs are and how much edible meat they provide, we can estimate how much crab one person can realistically eat in a single sitting.
As a general food portion guideline, an average adult should consume about 3-4 ounces of meat in a standard meal. Obviously, when eating a specialty dish like king crab, you’re likely going to eat more.
Here are some estimates for how much king crab meat the average person can consume:
– Appetizer serving: 6-8 oz
– Entree serving: 8-12 oz
– Hearty serving: 12-16 oz
– Feast serving: Over 1 pound
Most crab-loving diners can put away a hearty 12-16 ounce serving. After that, you start hitting the point of diminishing returns where more food doesn’t necessarily equal more enjoyment.
Beyond 16 ounces, you’re entering competitive eating territory. While it’s physically possible to eat several pounds of crab, most people will find they max out enjoyment at 1-1.5 pounds of meat.
Challenges of eating a whole king crab alone
Could a very hungry person eat every last bit of meat from an entire 5+ pound king crab? Probably. But there are some challenges to keep in mind:
Time: It takes time and effort to pick the meat from the shells and legs. Even experienced crabbers need 10-15 minutes to fully extract meat from smaller crab legs. A whole crab could take over an hour.
Fullness: Crab meat is very rich and filling. Most people will feel satiated after eating a heaping 1-1.5 pound crab entree. You’d have to pace yourself to keep going.
Fatigue: Picking at shells and little pieces of meat for over an hour requires stamina. Your jaw and hands may tire before you can finish.
Leftovers: Chances are, eating a whole king crab alone will result in lots of uneaten meat. At $15-$30 or more per pound, that’s an expensive waste.
Cost: Speaking of cost – ordering a whole 5+ pound king crab can run $100 or more. Eating it all yourself in one sitting means shouldering the cost alone.
So in summary – yes, you can physically eat a whole king crab. But it requires effort, time, room in your stomach, and money. Most people only have the appetite and budget for one hearty serving.
Tips for getting your fill of king crab
Here are some tips if your goal is to enjoy as much succulent king crab as possible:
– Order the largest legs and claws available. They contain the most meat.
– Get crab split or sectioned rather than served whole. Removing shells makes it easier to access the meat.
– Share the crab with others. This reduces the cost per person and lets you try more legs.
– Take leftover crab home. Crab meat keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated. Use it for sandwiches, salads, and pasta.
– Pace yourself and take breaks. Don’t rush eating and make yourself too full too quickly.
– Use tools like mallets and pickers to access meat. This prevents hand fatigue.
– Try different cooking methods. Steaming, boiling, grilling – they all bring out the crab’s sweet flavor.
While you likely can’t finish a whole king crab alone, with smart strategies, you can still enjoy heaping portions of this decadent seafood delicacy. Gather family and friends and have a king crab feast!
Health benefits of eating king crab
Beyond tasting delicious, king crab offers many nutritional benefits:
– High protein: A 3-4 ounce serving provides around 15-20 grams of protein. Protein helps maintain and repair muscles.
– Low fat and calories: King crab is a lean source of protein with only around 1 gram of fat per serving. Red and blue king crab have 80-130 calories per 3 ounce cooked serving.
– Good cholesterol: While low in total fat, crab contains some heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These are linked to lower bad LDL cholesterol and higher good HDL cholesterol.
– Selenium: Crab meat is high in the antioxidant mineral selenium, which supports immune system health.
– Vitamin B12: Crab is an excellent source of vitamin B12, which helps form red blood cells and maintains nerve function.
So while you likely can’t eat only king crab at every meal, incorporating it into your diet provides excellent nutrition. It offers the satisfying protein of meat with the healthy benefits of seafood.
Just watch out for high sodium levels if you have certain medical conditions. Crab legs contain around 25-35% of the recommended daily sodium intake per 3-4 ounce serving.
Price of king crab
King crab legs are one of the pricier seafood options. Much of this cost comes from:
– Limited Supply: Only cold deep northern waters like Alaska and Russia support king crab fisheries. Supply is based on annual harvests.
– Difficult Harvesting: Crabbing boats must venture into frigid and dangerous Bering Sea waters. Pots weigh hundreds of pounds and are set/pulled by machine.
– Processing: Onboard ships, crabs are cooked, cleaned, quick frozen, and packaged. This expensive processing ensures quality.
– Transportation: Fresh frozen crab is rushed via air freight to markets to preserve freshness. Air transport adds cost.
– Demand: As a specialty item, king crab is in high demand worldwide. Holiday dishes and buffets drive seasonal price spikes.
– Tariffs: Import regulations and taxes also increase king crab costs and availability in some world markets.
With all these production and transportation factors, king crab costs significantly more than chicken, pork, or other seafood. Expect to pay:
– Raw king crab: $15-$30 per pound
– King crab legs cooked/frozen: $25-$45 per pound
– Whole cooked king crab: $80-$150 each
The famous king crab legs served in Las Vegas buffets are often loss leaders – that is, sold at a loss to attract visitors. Outside buffets, be prepared to drop some serious cash for this decadent delicacy!
Alternatives for king crab lovers on a budget
If your budget can’t quite accommodate royal crab feasts, here are some ways to get your crab fix for less:
Snow crab: Snow crab legs cost less than king crab, usually $8-$15 per pound. They are smaller, but still tasty.
Dungeness crab: Dungeness is a Pacific coast crab with sweet meat. Whole cooked crabs run $15-$25 or less depending on season.
Crab cakes: Made from lump crab meat blended with bread crumbs and egg, crab cakes provide tasty affordable bites of crab.
Crab dip: Hot crab dip appetizers made with cream cheese and crab meat cost less than serving large crab legs.
Canned crab: Canned crab meat allows you to add crab flavor to salads, pasta, and more on a budget. A 6-8 ounce can runs just a few dollars.
When you want to indulge, splurge on a special-occasion king crab feast. For everyday seafood cravings, try more affordable crab recipes and substitutes. With smart budgeting, you can enjoy crab meat often.
Conclusion
King crab is a uniquely delicious and flavorful seafood treat. While an entire crab contains several pounds of meat, realistically one person can only eat about 1-1.5 pounds in a single sitting. Trying to eat a whole king crab alone requires time, effort, and a hearty appetite. Considering cost factors, most people opt to share king crab or indulge in a hearty entree serving. With strategic dining, you can make the most of every last bit of the precious crab meat. When budgeting, be aware that king crab is one of the pricier seafood options and plan accordingly. With reasonable expectations of how much you can eat, king crab makes for a memorable meal full of sweet, succulent meat that seafood lovers dream of.
