What is the Difference Between Snow Crab and King Crab?

The main differences between snow crab and king crab are their size, legs, flavor, and habitat. Here are the key distinctions:

• Size: Snow crabs typically weigh between 2 and 4 pounds, while king crabs average about 6 pounds. King crabs can be much larger, with some reaching 20 pounds and measuring 5 feet across.
• Legs: King crab legs are shorter and thicker than snow crab legs, which are extraordinarily long and have thinner shells.
• Flavor: Snow crab meat is sweeter and has a softer texture, while king crab meat is more savory and has a firmer texture. King crab meat tends to be sweeter and tastes more like lobster, while snow crab meat tastes saltier.
• Habitat: Both snow crab and king crab are harvested near Alaska from the Bering Sea. Snow crab is also sourced from waters near Maine, Canada, and Norway.
• Season and Sourcing: Snow crab is available fresh nearly year-round, with the Alaskan harvesting season from January to April and Canadian season from April to August. King crab, however, has a much shorter harvest season, with availability from October to January only. Both varieties are available frozen year-round.
• Price: Due to its sought-after taste and juicy pieces of meat, king crab is generally more expensive than snow crab.

Both snow crab and king crab make for an excellent pairing with clarified butter and lemon, but their unique characteristics make them suitable for different cooking preferences and occasions.

Comparative Table: Snow Crab vs King Crab

Based on the search results, the main differences between snow crab and king crab are:

Both snow crab and king crab are well-known for their tender, flavorful meat and share common culinary uses. They can be prepared using the same cooking methods, such as boiling, steaming, or broiling.