Is Crab Considered Meat? A Detailed Look at This Common Question

Crab is a popular seafood that’s enjoyed around the world But there’s an ongoing debate about whether it should technically be classified as meat This article will take an in-depth look at why there’s confusion around crab’s status and provide a clear answer on if crab is considered meat or not.

As a seafood lover and amateur chef, I’ve cooked various crab dishes like crab cakes, crab bisque, and crab legs. Crab has a sweet, delicate flavor that makes it a tasty addition to many recipes. However, I used to be unsure about whether crab was actually meat or not.

The question around if crab is meat seems to stem from the fact that it comes from the ocean, not the land. Most people associate meat with animals like cows, pigs, and chickens. But does something from the sea count?

To find a definitive answer, I decided to research what exactly makes something count as meat versus other food categories. Here’s a quick overview of what I learned:

• Meat comes from the muscles and flesh of animals. This includes land mammals and birds as well as fish.

• Other parts of animals like organs are not considered meat For example, liver or kidneys would not be labeled as meat

• Seafood refers to edible aquatic animals like fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. Seafood covers animals from the sea rather than land.

So according to these definitions, crab would qualify as meat The flesh from crabs that we eat comes from the muscle and body parts, just like other meat does. The fact that it lives in the ocean doesn’t disqualify it

Why There’s Confusion Around Whether Crab is Meat

While the above definitions make it clear that crab is technically meat, there’s still confusion around this, for a few different reasons:

Religious Guidelines Around Meat

Some religions have specific guidelines around which foods are permitted or prohibited. For example, Catholics have traditionally avoided meat on Fridays during Lent.

According to Catholic guidelines, meat refers only to flesh from warm-blooded land animals. Fish and other seafood is considered a separate category altogether.

So for Catholics who follow these traditional Lenten practices, crab and other types of seafood are still allowed on meatless Fridays since they are not biblically classified as meat.

Personal Dietary Preferences

In addition to religious reasons, some people avoid meat for ethical or health reasons. Vegans and vegetarians do not eat any meat, though there is disagreement around whether seafood like crab is permitted.

Pescatarians are vegetarians who still eat fish and shellfish. Some pescatarians choose to avoid land animal meat for ethical reasons but are okay with eating sea creatures like crab.

People who are cutting back on meat for health may also view seafood like crab as a healthier alternative. So they lump it into a broader protein category rather than limiting it as meat.

Common Language Around “Fish”

In informal language, people often use “fish” as a broad term to refer to anything from the sea. You’ll hear statements like “I’m eating fish tonight” even if the meal contains shrimp or lobster instead of true fish.

Given that crabs live in the ocean and look more similar to fish and lobsters than cows or chickens, it’s easy to see why people associate them more with the fish category in casual conversation.

Minimal Red Meat on Crabs

Red meat usually comes from mammals and contains more heme iron than white meats like poultry or fish. Since crabs contain very little red meat, it’s easier to perceive them as fitting into the white meat category in your mind.

Crustaceans vs. Fish

Most crabs are technically crustaceans, not fish. People who are aware of the biological differences between crustaceans and fish may be more inclined to make a distinction between them when classifying crabs.

However, for general meat and protein discussions, these biological classifications aren’t as relevant. As mentioned earlier, both fish and crustaceans qualify as meat.

Do Nutritionists and Scientists Classify Crab as Meat?

Now that we’ve covered some of the reasons for confusion among the general public about crab’s status, what do experts have to say? Do nutritionists and scientists consider crab to be meat?

The answer is yes – crab is classified as meat by food scientists, nutritionists, and other experts. Here are a few examples to illustrate this:

• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) includes crab in its definition of meat and meat products. Crabs fall under the USDA’s regulatory oversight around meat inspection and grading.

• Nutrition experts, like registered dietitians, consistently group crab and other types of seafood under the protein foods category, along with meat, poultry, eggs, beans, and nuts.

• Food scientists who study the proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals in food analyze crab meat right alongside other meats like beef or chicken.

• Biologists classify crabs as animals that are harvested for their muscular flesh, putting them firmly in the meat category.

So while there may be some colloquial confusion among the general public about crab’s status, experts are unanimous in defining crab anatomically and nutritionally as meat.

What Are the Health Benefits of Eating Crab?

Now that we’ve established that crab is indeed meat, what are some of the key nutrients it provides when you add it to your diet? Here’s an overview of the main health benefits of eating crab:

• High-Quality Protein: Crab contains between 16-20 grams of protein per 3 ounce serving. The protein is complete, meaning it provides all essential amino acids.

• Low Calories: With less than 100 calories per serving, crab offers protein with minimal calories compared to other meats.

• Vitamin B12: Crab is high in vitamin B12, which supports red blood cell formation and neurological health.

• Selenium: This essential mineral in crab provides antioxidant protection and boosts the immune system.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Crab contains anti-inflammatory omega-3s, though less than some fattier types of fish.

• Minerals: Important minerals like zinc, copper, and magnesium are present in crab.

Given this stellar nutrition profile, incorporating crab into your diet a couple times a week can provide you with sustaining protein along with an array of vitamins and minerals.

Tips for Cooking Crab at Home

If you’re sold on the health merits of crab, here are some quick tips for preparing it at home:

• For whole crabs, steam them for 15-20 minutes until the shell turns bright red. Serve with melted butter for dipping.

• For crab legs, opt for quick steaming or grilling. Don’t overcook them or the meat can get rubbery.

• Use lump crabmeat in salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, or crab cakes. Avoid artificial crab (surimi).

• Try mixing crab with corn, avocado, mango, or cucumber for flavorful crab salads.

• For hot crab dip, combine cooked crab with cream cheese, mayo, and savory seasonings. Bake until bubbly.

With its sweet flavor and tender meat, crab can elevate all kinds of dishes. It works great on its own or mixed with other ingredients.

The Bottom Line: Yes, Crab is Considered Meat

While there are some nuances around defining meat that lead to confusion about crab’s status, it is scientifically classified as meat. The flesh that we eat from crabs comes from animal muscle, just like other types of meat.

Crab may technically be a crustacean instead of a fish, but it still qualifies nutritionally and culinarily as a type of meat. Experts like biologists, nutritionists, and food scientists all categorize crab as meat.

Beyond settling any debate on whether it’s meat or not, crab also offers impressive health benefits. It’s a lean source of protein with important vitamins and minerals. Adding crab to your diet in moderation can diversify your protein intake and give you essential nutrients.

So don’t be afraid to enjoy some crab meat in your next surf and turf dinner or seafood spread. You can confidently serve up crab dishes while knowing you’re getting all the benefits that come with eating meat. Just be aware that some vegetarians may still avoid crab, even though biologically it fits into the meat category.

When prepared with care and balance, meat can be part of an overall healthy diet. And as a non-mammal type of meat, crab gives you a break from chicken, beef and pork. So embrace this tasty shellfish as the nutritious meat that it is!