How many pounds of king crab should you buy per person at a meal? And does this change depending on what time of year it is? Certain lobster sizes are more common during parts of the year than others. Is it the same for king crab?

It is a beautiful spring day, the weather is beginning to warm, and flowers are blooming. Gathering outside for hours on end with a delicious meal seems much more appealing now than it did even just a few weeks ago. But… what to serve? Hosting a dinner party during king crab legs season makes creating a menu super easy. Order enough king crab per person, make some drawn butter, get out the napkins, and invite some friends! Serving crab for guests is a simple way to impress them and enjoy the evening together.

Figuring Our How Much to Buy

There might be a few questions already. A great place to start is figuring out how much king crab per person to purchase for a meal. This answer really depends on who exactly is being fed, so it might be a good idea to gauge interest with guests before the dinner. Doing this preparation could avoid the issue of buying too much or too little king crab per person. For people who really enjoy crab, 1.5 to 2 pounds of king crab per person should suffice. This number could be reduced to 1 pound per person if other dishes are being served, or guests have smaller appetites.

Even though king crab often steals the show, it needs some enticing supporting actors. The recommended sides to serve with king crab are potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw, cornbread, steamed artichokes, salad, roasted vegetables, macaroni and cheese, and even steak! Make it a surf and turf meal by adding steak to the mix. If surf and turf sounds appealing, go ahead and reduce the amount of crab per person to ½ pound.

Should You Buy During King Crab Season?

The appeal of purchasing king crab legs during king crab legs season is that the meat will be fresher and more available, maybe even cheaper. However, if the cost of king crab feels a little overwhelming, there are alternatives. Ditch the idea of buying enough king crab per person and instead buy king crab meat to make crab cakes, soup, or dip could help cut down on cost. These are still scrumptious dishes that are sure to please, and they are a great way to keep hosting affordable. Another option is to reduce the amount of crab purchased, and instead double or triple up on sides.

Time to tie it all together. No crab feast is complete without mouthwatering drawn butter. Some fresh king crab is mouthwatering enough on its own, but drawn butter elevates shellfish to a whole new level. If guests drink alcohol, make sure to bring home your favorite white wine for the evening. If not, a lemonade or sparkling seltzer will do the trick. Make sure to have napkins on hand and set out tiny bowls of hot tea for guests to clean their hands. At the end of the meal, it is helpful to have crushed saltine crackers because the crumbs help rid hands of the crab residue and smell. Place your order now and get ready to host an unforgettable evening!

Fresh King Crab Prices

Company Price/lb Minimum Order Shipping Order
Global Seafoods $35.00 5 lbs $16.20
Crab Place $42.29 1 lb $29.95
Fulton Fish Market $51.00 2 lbs Free
Tanner’s Alaskan Seafood $52.95 3 lb Free@8lbs
Cameron’s Seafood $65.99 3 lbs $39.99

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