There’s nothing better than getting your loved ones together for an evening of crab pickin’ under the stars. The best part about a crab feast is that it isn’t just a meal — it’s an experience. Instead of just sitting down and mindlessly eating, picking crabs lets your guests linger over a meal and talk for a long time while enjoying one of the world’s best foods.
If you’ve never had a crab feast before, here are some important things you’ll need to make sure your guests have a great time. Here are our top five tips for throwing the best crab feast ever.
Because there are so many factors, it’s impossible to say for sure how many pounds of crab legs you’ll need to feed your guests. This is because you can’t be sure how hungry everyone is. It’s always better to have too much. Our general recommendation is between one and two pounds per person. If your guests don’t eat a lot and you’re serving sides with your crab legs, one pound should be enough for each person. Tip: You should serve sides, but more on that next. If you don’t want to, you might want to order up to two pounds of meat for each person.
Side dishes are important for making a complete and satisfying crab feast, even though we think crab is tasty enough to eat by itself. Luckily, there are several great options to complement the crab leg eating process. It goes well with corn on the cob, French fries, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and just about anything else that melts in your mouth. For inspiration, check out this post {link to sides blog when up}. In general, two extra sides in addition to the crab legs is best for creating a balanced meal. Plus, there’s always dessert if your guests also have a sweet tooth.
Make sure each guest has enough claw crackers, hammers, and lobster forks to use, so they don’t have to share. It’s also best to think ahead for how to handle the inevitable mess. If you want to eat outside, a picnic table covered in butcher paper and plenty of paper towels will work. As an extra touch, you could give each guest a custom plastic bib and a wet wipe that is individually wrapped. Don’t be afraid to get creative with small details that can make a big difference.
It’s possible that not everyone in attendance has eaten crab legs before. To get the most meat out of the legs and claws, show people the best way to cut them open. You don’t want to risk any of your guests feeling unprepared to enjoy the experience.
Remember: a crab feast is all about the experience. Do your best to relax and enjoy, even as you’re worried about hosting. And one final tip: try not to worry about the mess until afterwards.
Of course, the best crab feast starts with the best crab legs. Place your order today. Want the latest on recipes, deals and new releases? Sign up here!.
Planning a crab feast and wondering how much crab to buy? Determining the right amount of crab legs per person ensures everyone gets their fill of these succulent crustacean treats. Under-ordering leaves guests disappointed and hungry, while over-ordering wastes money. Follow these tips to find the ideal crab legs per person ratio for your event
Average Recommended Amounts
As a general rule of thumb for crab lovers plan on providing
- 1 to 1 1⁄2 pounds of crab legs per person
For big eaters or crab crazed guests consider
- 1 1⁄2 to 2 pounds of crab legs per person
These amounts allow for satisfying portion sizes while leaving a little extra. Adjust up or down based on your particular guests’ appetites.
Factors to Consider
Several factors affect how much crab legs you need per individual:
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Other foods – If serving a multi-course meal, less crab is needed than for crab as a standalone main course.
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Appetite – Lighter eaters require less than those with big appetites. Kids under 12 need smaller portions.
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Crab type – Smaller snow crab legs provide less meat per pound than large king crab legs.
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Serving style – All-you-can-eat buffets need more crab than plated dinners.
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Leftovers – Having a little extra crab is better than running short.
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Budget – Crab legs are expensive, so balance costs with ideal amounts.
Consider all these factors when crunching the numbers for your event.
Crab Legs Per Person Calculator
Use this handy calculator to determine total crab legs needed for your party:
Number of Guests:
Pounds Per Person:
Total Pounds Needed:
For example, for 10 crab lovers, assuming 1.5 pounds per person, you’ll need about 15 pounds of crab legs total.
Ideal Serving Sizes
Here are some crab leg serving size recommendations based on common scenarios:
- Dinner party with sides – 3⁄4 to 1 pound per person
- Crab boil or feast – 1 to 2 pounds per person
- Appetizer for 4 – 1 pound
- Main course for 1 – 1 1⁄2 to 2 pounds
- Kids portions – 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 pound
Serve larger portions for big events focused just on crab. Scale back for crab as an appetizer or when serving other dishes.
Ordering Tips
When buying crab for your event:
- Order from a trusted, high-quality vendor
- Choose crab legs with visually appealing, solid meat
- Pick a variety like king crab, snow crab, or Dungeness
- Allow time for overnight shipping if needed
- Have crab arrive 1-2 days before your meal
- Keep refrigerated until ready to cook and serve
With the right amount of fresh crab legs, your feast will be sure to impress!
Cooking Methods
Once you’ve got your crab legs, cooking them is simple:
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Steaming – Quick and easy, retains moisture. Requires a steamer.
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Boiling – Also fast cooking but can toughen meat. Use seasoned water.
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Baking – Slower cooking but adds flavor. Brush with butter or oil.
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Grilling – Gives a smoky taste. Watch closely to avoid drying out.
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Microwaving – Fast but can make meat rubbery. Use lower power and check often.
Serve crab legs hot with melted butter, lemon wedges, and dipping sauces. Providing crackers and picks makes extracting the meat simple.
Pairing Sides
Complement your crab legs with these delicious sides:
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Corn on the cob – A classic pairing, the sweetness balances the crab.
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Cole slaw – Crunchy texture and tangy flavor contrasts the rich crab.
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Potato salad – Starchy, creamy goodness.
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French fries – Fried and salty fries soak up crab juices.
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Garlic bread – The savory, buttery bread sopps up butter.
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Cheese biscuits – Flaky, melt-in-your-mouth goodness alongside crab.
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Baked beans – Sweet, smokey beans pair well with crab’s brininess.
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Rice – Soaks up buttery drippings well.
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Pasta salad – Carb-loading with a cool, creamy pasta salad.
Don’t forget dessert! Crab’s rich flavor demands a sweet follow-up.
Crab Leg Etiquette
Some key etiquette tips for your crab feast:
- Provide claw crackers, mallet, and picks for easy meat extraction
- Offer a tutorial for newbies on how to open crab legs
- Place crabs legs on trays or platters (don’t just dump in a pile)
- Be prepared with moist towelettes for messy fingers
- Supply buckets or bowls for shells (don’t leave on table)
- Consider covering tables with butcher or wrapping paper to simplify clean-up
With these simple guidelines, your crab party will be a smashing success!
Making It Memorable
Some extra touches to make your crab feast amazing:
- Fun crab-themed paper goods like plates, napkins, cups
- Nautical decorations like nets, buoys, fish traps
- Place cards decorated like crabs
- Crab-shaped candy or cookies for dessert
- Take-home crab seasonings or lemon butter
- Cover cloths with fish, anchors, crabs, or ocean themes
With the right food, friends, and fun, your crab leg dinner will be one to remember! Just follow these recommendations for pounds of crab per person. From ordering and prepping to cooking and serving, you’ll have the knowledge needed to create an incredible crab feast.
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.
How long do you steam crab legs per pound?
FAQ
How many people will 5 pounds of crab legs feed?
How many pounds of snow crab legs for one person?
How many crab legs for 7 adults?
How many crabs for 4 adults?
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 much crab meat do you need for one person?
That way, you’d be playing it safe and there would be enough for everybody. Each crab leg has about 50% total meat, so that means you should purchase about 1 to 4 pounds of crab legs for one person. This way, once the crab legs are fully cooked to perfection, you get 0.5 to 2 pounds of total crab meat.
How many crab legs should a party eat?
This means you’ll have to estimate how many pounds of crab legs your guests will eat the next time you throw a backyard crab boil. The typical serving portion of crab legs per person is half a pound or 8 ounces. Of course, this is only a suggestion, and you should feel more than free to increase how many crab legs you want to feed your guests.
How much crab legs should you serve per guest?
The most straightforward answer to that question is that you should prepare to serve approximately 1.5 to 2 pounds of crab legs per guest for your event. That said, there are variations in what you want to do, and paying attention to how much you serve is essential.