We think that preparing, cooking, and eating fresh crabs is a rewarding experience, yet it involves back-breaking work. To get to the buttery, juicy meat inside, you have to crack, break, and twist the shell a lot. You can even add the crab fat to your mashed potatoes. But not everyone has access to freshly harvested crabs or the energy to follow this rigorous preparation process.
It is easier to prepare crab meat from a can, but does it melt in your mouth or have the same salty-sweet ocean taste as fresh crabs? The answer is that it depends on which brand you buy. However, dont confuse these products with imitation crab. Canned crab meat is made from real crabs. Its precooked and typically stored in brine and other ingredients for preservation.
When evaluating each brand, look for pointers like the ingredients and how the crab meat is processed. Another crucial factor is the companys commitment to preserving the oceans. Are they fishing in an honest way, working with the locals, or forming partnerships with other groups to promote sustainability? This helps protect the oceans for future generations. Dont worry if all this sounds overwhelming, as this article will break it down for you. You can find a canned crab meat brand that you enjoy all year long on our list.
As a seafood lover, I often find myself craving crab but don’t always have access to fresh crab or the time to prepare it. This led me on a quest to determine if canned crab meat could satisfy my cravings. With a bit of investigation, I learned canned crab has its merits but also some downsides to consider Below I’ll walk through the pros and cons so you can decide if canned crab is a good choice for you
The Benefits of Canned Crab Meat
Here are some of the main upsides to using canned crab:
Convenience
Canned crab requires no prep work – just open the can and it’s ready to eat! This makes it super fast and easy to use in recipes like crab cakes or dips. No need to boil, crack, and pick fresh crab.
Affordability
Canned crab is significantly cheaper than fresh crab. A 6-8 ounce can costs $3-7 while fresh crab legs can cost $15+ per pound. The affordability makes it accessible for everyday cooking.
Long Shelf Life
An unopened can of crab has a shelf life up to 4 years. Once opened it will last 3-5 days in the fridge. This long shelf life means you can stock up on canned crab when prices drop.
Pre-cooked
The crab in cans has already been fully cooked during processing. No risk of undercooking and getting sick from raw crab. Just heat and serve the canned meat.
Real Crab…Mostly
Reputable brands use real crab meat. The only exceptions are “imitation crab” products which use pressed fish like pollock or cod to mimic crab. As long as you read labels, canned crab contains authentic crab.
Pre-picked Meat
Picking crab is tedious and time consuming. With canned you get pre-picked lump or shredded meat ready to use. Much easier than extracting it yourself.
Variety of Grades
Canned crab comes in different grades from inexpensive claw meat to premium “jumbo lump”. This variety means options for any recipe or budget.
Potential Downsides of Canned Crab
However, there are some drawbacks of canned crab meat to note:
Not as Fresh
Even high quality canned crab won’t be quite as fresh tasting or tender as freshly cooked crab. The canning process slightly alters texture.
Less Natural Flavor
Preservatives and processing can diminish the sweet, delicate flavor of real crab. Canned often has more “fishy” or briny notes.
Wet Consistency
Canned crab is packed in liquid which can make it watery. Fresh crab has a drier, flakier texture.
Not for Raw Consumption
The canned product is pre-cooked but I don’t recommend eating it raw like sashimi. Potential bacteria concerns.
Contains Preservatives
To extend shelf life, canned crab contains preservatives like sodium metabisulfite. May be a concern for some.
Less Variation
You can only find white and blue crab meat canned. Other varieties like King crab aren’t available.
Less Sustainability
Some canned brands have less responsible sourcing than fresh. Look for sustainability certifications on cans.
Less Nutrients
The canning process can degrade nutrients levels slightly compared to fresh. Still has good protein though!
Tips for Choosing Quality Canned Crab
To get the best flavor and quality, keep these tips in mind when buying canned crab meat:
-
Look for well-known reputable brands like Chicken of the Sea, Crown Prince, or Bumble Bee. Avoid generic store brands.
-
Check that “crab meat” is listed as the only ingredient. Avoid anything listing “imitation crab meat”.
-
For the most natural flavor, pick products with minimal added preservatives.
-
Select cans without added salt or sugar. This avoids masking flavor.
-
Choose lump crab meat for salads, dips, and recipes needing larger pieces.
-
Opt for smaller grade crab meat like claw for dishes like crab cakes or casseroles.
-
Compare cost per ounce rather than can size – larger cans sometimes cost less.
-
Inspect cans for damage like dents, swelling, or rust – this can indicate spoiled product.
Is Canned Crab Meat Right for You?
Canned crab definitely has some advantages in terms of convenience, cost, and accessibility. However, there are some compromises in texture, flavor, and nutrition compared to fresh crab.
My verdict is that canned is an acceptable substitute when you can’t get fresh – but I still prefer the real thing whenever possible. Canned makes a great crab cake but for a special salad or dip I’d splurge on fresh. Ultimately it comes down to your needs and preferences. Armed with the pros and cons, you can decide if canned crab meat is a good choice for your recipes!
Best Crab for your Crab Recipe
Is canned crab meat good quality?
Depending on the type of crab meat you like, there may be a few good-quality options to choose from. The type of canned crab meat also affects the price of the product. So, take this into consideration too. Jumbo lump canned crab meat, for example, is usually one of the most expensive crab meat varieties.
Are coconut crabs healthy to eat?
Crabs are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins like riboflavin and minerals like selenium, copper, phosphorus. Coconut crabs are not known to be poisonous. The fat in the abdomen and the egg inside the female are the delicious edible parts. It is prepared by steaming or boiling them in coconut milk. Consuming coconut crab along with sea mango, cerbera manghas may make the coconut crab toxic due to the presence of cardiac cardenolides(cardiac active steroids). This causes electrolyte imbalance that affects the electrical conductivity of the heart.
What is the best canned crab meat?
This is the best canned crab meat to toss with some good quality mayo, bread crumbs, and herbs for quick crab cakes. You won’t notice the lack of flavor and you’ll be pleased with the texture. Each can of Polar canned lump crab meat is filled with distinct meaty morsels of crab. And those little morsels taste like imitation crab —but in a good way.
Is canned crab meat bad?
For whatever reason, canned crab meat has not reached the high quality levels of things like canned tuna and canned smoked trout. Canned crab meat, for the most part, is bad. And when I say canned crab meat, I’m not talking about the expensive refrigerated stuff. I’m talking about shelf stable canned crab meat.