How Much Does King Crab Cost? A Detailed Breakdown of Prices

King crab legs are one of the most prized seafood delicacies. Their sweet, succulent meat and impressive size make them a real treat. But king crab doesn’t come cheap. Just how much do these giant crab legs cost?

An Overview of King Crab Prices

King crab prices depend on several factors:

• Species: There are two main species of king crab – red king crab and golden king crab. Red king crab is more expensive as it lives in shallower, colder waters and has a higher meat to shell ratio. Golden king crab comes from deeper, warmer waters and has spikier legs with a lower meat to shell ratio.

• Size: King crab legs are categorized by size – jumbo, colossal, extra large. Larger legs naturally contain more meat and cost more. Jumbo size ranges from 0.5-1 lb per leg, colossal 0.8-1.5 lbs, and extra large over 1.5 lbs.

• Source Wild-caught Alaskan king crab is the most coveted and costs more than crab from other regions like Russia or Norway.

• Supplier: Prices vary between suppliers. Buying directly from fishermen or specialty seafood companies is more expensive than mass retailers.

• Time of Year Prices are highest when freshly caught during peak season from October to January Off-season frozen crab costs less,

With these factors in mind, here is a detailed breakdown of current king crab prices:

Jumbo King Crab Legs

Jumbo king crab legs weigh approximately 0.5 to 1 pound per leg. This is the smallest and most affordable king crab size.

• Jumbo wild-caught Alaskan red king crab legs range from $25 to $35 per pound
• Jumbo wild-caught Russian red king crab legs average $15 to $25 per pound
• Jumbo wild-caught Golden king crab legs average $10 to $15 per pound

So if you buy a 3 pound bag of jumbo Alaskan red king crab legs, expect to pay $75 to $105.

Jumbo legs are a good option if you want to enjoy king crab on a budget. The smaller legs mean less messing around trying to extract the meat.

Colossal King Crab Legs

For a truly impressive king crab experience, go colossal. These extra-large legs weigh from 0.8 to 1.5 pounds each.

• Colossal wild-caught Alaskan red king crab legs range from $50 to $70 per pound
• Colossal wild-caught Russian red king crab legs average $30 to $45 per pound
• Colossal wild-caught Golden king crab legs range from $20 to $35 per pound

A 5 pound bag of colossal Alaskan red king crab legs will cost $250 to $350. The large size and higher meat content make colossal legs a real treat for crab aficionados.

Extra Large King Crab Legs

The largest and most prized legs are the extra large size. These giants weigh over 1.5 pounds per leg.

• Extra large wild-caught Alaskan red king crab range from $70 to $90 per pound
• Extra large wild-caught Russian red king crab average $40 to $60 per pound
• Extra large wild-caught Golden king crab range from $25 to $45 per pound

A 10 pound box of extra large Alaskan red king crab legs will cost $700 to $900. These monsters offer the ultimate king crab experience. The huge size and abundance of sweet meat make them well worth the premium price tag.

Other Factors Affecting Price

Keep in mind that crab size and source are the main factors affecting price, but other elements can also cause fluctuation:

• Processing: Live king crab costs more than frozen legs. Pre-cooked legs command a higher price than raw. Legs bundled with claws or other pieces cost less than uniform legs.

• Shipping: Overnight air shipping and expedited handling increases costs. Free shipping incentives on bulk orders can offset this.

• Season: Prices typically rise 10-15% during peak season from October to January when the freshest legs are available.

• Sales: Specials like seasonal sales, bulk discounts, or coupon codes can reduce king crab prices by 10 to 20%. Sign up for newsletters to get deals.

• Restaurant Prices: Ordering king crab legs at a restaurant triples or quadruples the price. Retail costs $25 per pound, restaurant servings can be $70-$100 per pound.

Average Price Per Pound

Based on the typical range of market prices, here are the averages per pound:

• Jumbo king crab legs: $20 to $25 per pound
• Colossal king crab legs: $35 to $50 per pound
• Extra large king crab legs: $50 to $70 per pound

And keep in mind wild-caught Alaskan king crab costs 20-30% more than crab from other regions.

Estimated Cost Per Serving

To determine cost per serving, estimate 1⁄2 to 1 pound per person for an appetizer or entree-sized meal.

• Jumbo legs = $10 to $25 per serving
• Colossal legs = $17 to $50 per serving
• Extra large legs = $25 to $70 per serving

The cost per serving increases for special occasions like romantic dinners, parties, or holidays when you may want to serve more.

Getting the Best Deal on King Crab

Here are some tips to get prized king crab legs at the best price:

• Buy direct from reputable fishermen or specialty seafood suppliers
• Purchase frozen legs instead of live or freshly cooked
• Buy in bulk quantities of 5 pounds or more
• Opt for bundles including leg pieces or claws
• Check sales and promotions regularly
• Consider more affordable golden or Russian king crab
• Split large orders with friends or family
• Avoid marked-up restaurant prices

So there you have it – a detailed breakdown of how much to expect to pay for king crab legs based on size, source, and other factors. With sweet, tender meat that melts in your mouth and impresses your guests, king crab is worth splurging on for special occasions.