Dungeness crab is a very popular seafood in North America. Although its size does not come close to rivaling the massive Alaskan king crab, Dungeness crab has a lot going for it. Obviously, the most important part of the crab is its meat. Dungeness crab meat has an excellent flavor and is versatile as an element in recipes. Below, we discuss how you can buy Dungeness meat, what the meat tastes like, and how to cook with the meat.
But first, here are some reputable online seafood retailers to peruse. The grid below is designed to allow users to do a cost comparison, ensuring they get the best product for their budget.
Dungeness Crab Prices
Company | Price/lb | Minimum Order | Shipping | Order |
---|---|---|---|---|
Global Seafoods | $18.70 | 10 lbs | $16.20 | |
Cameron’s Seafood | $35.33 | 3 lbs | $39.99 | |
Lummi Island Wild | $24.95 | 6 lb | FREE | |
Seabear Smokehouse | $32.50 | 2 lbs | $19.99 |
How To Buy Dungeness Crab Meat for Sale
There are two broad options for buying Dungeness crab for its meat. The first option is buying the crab either whole or in clusters, then picking the meat yourself. This involves cracking the legs and other exoskeleton of the crab to get to the meat. The other option is buying pre-picked and pre-cooked lump Dungeness crab meat. Most often, this picked meat comes in a can. You can readily find both options from any number of online seafood sites.
The canned meat might be more convenient if you are interested in using the crab meat in a recipe versus eating it straight out of the shell. We will note that pre-picked crab meat does cost a bit more. Individual Dungeness crabs tend to sell for around $25 to $30 dollars. Dungeness crab meat per pound that is picked costs close to $50 or $60. According to the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, whole Dungeness crabs yield a ½ pound of meat from a 2 lb crab. Remember this when you start to determine how much to buy.
Fresh Dungeness Crab Meat Taste and Preparations
Dungeness crab is a delicacy on the West Coast. The taste of the meat is sweet with a moderately firm texture. The higher oil content in the meat gives it a rich and satisfying finish. You would have never known that the crab was living in the briny ocean water given these characteristics. The legs are also very meaty, leaving lots to be enjoyed when you crack into a leg.
Nutritionally speaking, Dungeness crab is relatively low in calories and fat. FishChoice indicates that Dungeness crab is also a good source of protein, offering just over 17 grams of protein per serving. The crab meat is also keto friendly, for those who participate in the popular diet.
The classic preparation of Dungeness crab is to simply boil the crab and serve with melted butter. While this is the purest way to enjoy the crab, there are many other ways to prepare it. You can add Dungeness crab meat to any number of pasta or salad dishes. For example, this Epicurious recipe pairs the crab meat with jalapenos and lemon for a fresh, spicy meal. Another tasty way to use the crab meat is in a warm sandwich. This Food&Wine recipe brings crab meat, Granny Smith apples, and Gruyere cheese together to make a brioche crab melt. If you are not already on your way to finding Dungeness crab for yourself, we suggest that you do to experience the delicious crab meat.
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