Have you ever wondered why the crab legs you order come in different sizes? They’re so tasty and sweet that we can see why people would want as many as possible! Keep reading to learn why and how the size may change but the amount of meat in your order will never.
On average, Alaskan king crab legs weigh anywhere from a half pound to two pounds per leg. That’s a pretty big difference! The first thing to keep in mind about Alaskan king crab legs is that they vary in size and weight. One leg might be longer than the other, but it doesn’t have as much mass, so the weight is the same. There are three sizes of king crab legs we sell: Giant, Colossal, and Super Colossal. However, there is a weight range within each size, so the size will vary.
The king crab legs don’t all weigh the same amount, so we just count them as we take your order. In fact, that’s far from the truth. Alaskan king crab legs can vary in size and shape — and that’s normal. We simply cannot control the size of each leg. The only thing we control is ensuring that you absolutely receive the amount of weight that you ordered.
Nature tends to get her way. If not, we’d make hurricanes illegal! The crabs’ sizes change with the seasons because nature is in charge of them. Freshman fifteen, winter blubber, hibernation body — king crabs aren’t the only ones whose weight varies by season!.
This is what it comes down to: we can’t promise that your order of crab legs will be the exact length or width you paid for, but we can promise that they will be the right weight. That never changes. Youll never pay for four pounds of king crab legs and only receive 3. 75 pounds. If anything, we “round up” and give you a little more weight than you paid for, since that’s how leg sizes sometimes work out.
With their staggering size and succulent sweet meat, king crab legs always make for an impressive centerpiece at any seafood feast. But figuring out how to buy enough king crab for your guests without overspending can be tricky. If you’ve ever puzzled over how many legs come in a pound, you’re not alone! In this beginner’s guide, I’ll explain king crab leg sizing, detail the average serving sizes, and give tips on how much to buy per person.
King Crab Leg Sizes and Weights
Alaskan king crab legs are categorized by size, ranging from small to colossal. The size of a leg correlates to how many pounds of meat it contains. Here’s a quick overview:
- Small: 0.25 – 0.5 lbs per leg
- Medium: 0.5 – 0.75 lbs per leg
- Large: 0.75 – 1 lb per leg
- Extra large: 1 – 1.25 lbs per leg
- Colossal: 1.25 – 2 lbs per leg
Of course, there is natural variation even within a size class. Essentially, you can expect about 0.5 – 1.5 pounds of meat per average large king crab leg. Legs on the higher end may come from older, larger crabs.
The time of year also impacts size, as crabs grow more in peak feeding seasons. So leg sizes may fluctuate slightly between your summer and winter orders!
Serving Size Per Person
When serving king crab legs plan on approximately
- 1 pound of legs per adult guest for an appetizer
- 1.5 to 2 pounds per person for a main course
These serving sizes allow for enjoyment of the sweet meat along with dipping sauces, sides, and other dishes. Those with heartier appetites can easily polish off 2 pounds of legs or more!
To put it in leg counts, if your legs average 1 pound each, each guest would enjoy:
- 1 leg for an appetizer
- 2 legs for a main entree
Of course, if your legs run on the smaller or larger side, the leg counts would decrease or increase accordingly per pound.
Tips for Ordering King Crab Legs
When buying king crab legs for a dinner party or special event use the following tips as a guide
- For appetizers, order 1 pound per person
- For main courses, plan on 1.5 – 2 pounds per guest
- Add 1 extra pound for every 4 guests to account for larger appetites
- Order a variety of sizes to provide visual appeal
So for example, if you’re hosting a dinner for 8 people and want to serve king crab legs as the main course, you would order:
- 2 pounds per person x 8 people = 16 pounds
- Plus 2 extra pounds (1 pound per every 4 guests) = 18 pounds total
Getting a mix of large, extra large, and colossal legs would give your platters an aesthetically stunning presentation. Always better to have leftovers than to come up short!
Cost Saving Tips for King Crab Legs
Alaskan king crab legs fetch a higher price tag than many other seafood varieties due to limited supply. But here are some tips for getting your fill of king crab without breaking the bank:
- Order bulk online directly from reputable seafood suppliers to pay less versus retail.
- Purchase legs during peak harvest times like summer when prices normalize.
- Opt for red king crab legs which cost slightly less than the premium golden variety.
- Mix in less expensive snow crab legs to stretch your order.
- Supplement with other cheaper seafood like shrimp or crawfish.
- Use legs in pastas, soups, and casseroles to get more servings per pound.
Cracking Open This Delicacy
Part of the fun of king crab legs is cracking open the giant legs with mallets and seafood forks to access the coveted meat inside. Now that you know approximately how many legs make up a pound and proper serving sizes per guest, you can confidently order for your next seafood event. Savor the sweetness inside these colossal crab legs from the Alaskan seas!
Sourced Straight from Sea to Table
Sourced through trusted experts and chosen for taste, texture and quality.
Flash frozen to lock in the fresh-off-the-dock taste.
Packaged with dry ice and shipped overnight directly to your door.
Simply thaw, prep, heat, and eat.
Alaskan King Crab. How Much Meat is in One Pound? What is the Yield? JUMBO KING CRAB
FAQ
How much is 1lb of king crab legs?
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Premium Red King Crab Legs
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Reg.
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Jumbo King Crab Legs Approximately 1.25 legs/claws per pound
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1 lb
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$79.99
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5 lbs
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$299.99
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10 lbs
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$549.99
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Colossal King Crab Legs Approximately 1 leg or claw per pound
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1 lb
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$84.99
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How many crab legs per person?
Finding a balance is crucial. How many pounds of crab legs per person? You will need to think about the other food that you’re serving to your guests, such as sides, but you will probably want 1 to 2 pounds per person in most cases. If crab legs are only a small element of the meal, half a pound per person should be sufficient.
How many king crab legs per pound?
You would typically get two regular-sized king crab legs per pound or one if we’re dealing with jumbo sizes. A general rule is that you can expect four to eight legs per pound for crabs; however, this varies depending on their size. Clusters of snow crab can weigh anywhere from 1-2 pounds, with smaller ones tipping the scales around one pound.
How much do Alaskan king crab legs weigh?
The Average Alaskan King Crab Leg On average, Alaskan king crab legs weigh anywhere from a half pound to two pounds per leg. That’s a pretty big difference! The first thing to note is that there’s a difference between size and weight when it comes to Alaskan king crab legs.
What size are king crab legs?
Here’s a breakdown of the most common sizes you’ll come across: Jumbo: Jumbo king crab legs are the largest option available. They typically measure around 1 1/4 to 2 pounds per leg and are perfect for sharing between two or more people. Colossal: Colossal king crab legs are similar in size to jumbo, but they’re even larger.