All You Need to Know About Crab: Types, Seasonality & Substitutes

What is crab?

Crabs are crustaceans, like lobsters, shrimp, and barnacles. There are over a dozen different types of crab and they can measure anywhere from under an inch to 13ft. They have a pair of pincers and a hard exoskeleton (or shell) to protect their soft meaty interior.

Since crabs can be found in all oceans, in rivers and lakes, and on land, they’re a staple in many cuisines from around the world. Their tender and slightly sweet meat have humans risk their lives for a catch and spend hours cracking shells.

The United States is no stranger to the crab craze. In fact, crab is one of the most popular seafood items in the country. It can be steamed whole, deep-fried, simmered in soups and stews, cooked into crab cakes, made into a spreadable paste, and more.

What are the different types of crab?

The most popular edible varieties of crab include:

Blue crab

Blue crabs are unmistakenly blue and green while they’re alive. Once they’re cooked, they turn red like all other crabs. They are relatively easy to buy wherever you find crabs. This variety is abundant in the mid-Atlantic and Gulf coast. Often, blue crab is cooked in soups, stews, and crab cakes.

Soft-shell crab

Soft-shell crabs are the same animals as blue crabs, only they haven’t grown their hard shell yet. Thus, they can be fried and enjoyed as a whole.

King crab

King crabs are giants of the sea. They can measure up to 11ft and weigh upwards of 20lbs. Only the claws and legs are edible, and that’s what you’re likely to find at the grocery store. Depending on where this crustacean is caught, you may find it as “Alaskan king crab,” “Russian crab,” or “Japanese crab.”

Stone crab

Stone crabs are known for their tasty claws, as no other part of the animal is eaten. Most stone crab eaten in the United States comes from the Gulf. The claws are first boiled and then served cold with dipping sauces.

Dungeness crab

You’ll find Dungeness crab all over the west coast of the United States, from Alaska to Southern California. It weighs between 2 and 4lbs. Dungeness crab meat is flakey and sweet and is often enjoyed covered in garlic butter.

Snow crab

Lastly, snow crabs are also known as rock crabs. Their legs are long and slender, making them look like underwater spiders. They’re harvested in the cold waters of the northern Pacific and Atlantic. Snow crabs can be eaten in a variety of ways: steamed, boiled, baked, and fried.

What is the nutritional value of crab?

Crab meat is a healthy, wholesome protein. 1c of cooked crab has:

• 97 calories
• 21g of protein
• <1g of fat
• 0g of carbs

It’s also rich in a variety of nutrients:

• Vitamin B12
• Folate
• Iron
• Niacin
• Selenium
• Zinc

When is crab in season?

Each variety of crab has its own harvest season:

• Blue crab: April to December
• Soft-shell crab: May to September
• Stone crab: October to May
• Dungeness crab: December to July
• Snow crab: April to November
• King crab: October to January

As you can see, you can find fresh live crab year-round. Moreover, since crab is also sold frozen, you can indulge in your favorite type of crab no matter the time of year. 

How do you pick crab at the grocery store?

First, choose what variety of crab you’re looking for. They are all unique and best enjoyed in different ways. For example, if you want to eat fried crab meat, look for soft-shell crab. But if it’s a bisque you want to serve, Dungeness crab is your best bet.

Then, decide how you want to buy the crab. If you want to buy whole fresh crab, look for one that shows signs of life. When you touch it, does it move? Stay away from crab that already looks dead or has a fishy smell—those are signs they’re no longer fresh. 

Frozen crab is much easier to find. Simply look for what you need—crab meat, frozen legs, pre-cooked claws—and check that the expiry date hasn’t yet elapsed.

If you want your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for crab via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for crab.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Whole Live Blue Crab (each)

Fresh Soft Shell Crab (each)

King Crab Legs (lb)

Medium Wild Florida USA Stone Crab Claws (per lb)

Dungeness Crab Clusters, Cooked Prevoiusly Frozen, Wild (1 lb)

Sea Queen Snow Crab Legs (24 oz)

How to store crab

Fresh crab should always stay moist and cool. While driving home from the store, keep it in a cooler. Then, cook it right away. Leftovers can stay in the fridge for up to 4 days.

If you plan to freeze crab, make sure to boil or steam it first. Bring down the temperature by immersing the crab in ice water and then place it in an airtight container in the freezer. It will stay good for up to 6 months.

How to tell if crab is bad

You should never, ever eat crab meat that’s gone bad. If it’s no longer good, it will give off a foul fishy smell. Additionally, the white meat may turn blue or grey and develop a white sticky film around it.

What can I substitute for crab?

In soups and stews, you can use shrimp and lobster instead of crab. In crab cakes, you’re better off swapping it for imitation crab (also known as surimi). It’s also worth considering crayfish for your recipe.

Get crab-cracking without needing to leave the house

You may have eaten crab meat at a restaurant before, but have you ever cooked your own? It doesn’t have to be as intimidating as you think. The hard part is finding the right variety of crab you’re craving, and Instacart takes care of that. When you get grocery delivery through Instacart, a professional shopper can help you pick exactly what you need. Then, your order will be left at your doorstep in no time.

Instacart

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.