If you were asked to choose between walking around the park and eating a delicious crab meal, you would probably choose the latter.
Beyond question, no one can resist delectable crab dishes rich in various flavors, spices, and seafood seasoning.
Serving king crab legs to loved ones and guests is a very manageable way to impress and delight them in the evening gathering together.
But, if you’re serving crab for dinner, it’s essential to know the answer to the question: “how many pounds of crab legs per person?”
Of course, you don’t want any of your family members or visitors to be unsatisfied, so preparing the right amount of crab to cook makes sense.
Refer to the information shared in the post below for more helpful guides.
Why Are Crab Legs So Well-Known?
Crab meat or crab legs are upscale and lavish meals and are famous for being on the menu in high-end and extravagant diners.
Crab legs are sweeter and juicier than other seafood and fish dishes and come with tender meat that lets you enjoy every bite.
Chiefly, serving crab to your guests is a fail-safe means to allow them to enjoy an unforgettable and sumptuous dining experience at your place.
What Are the Most Recommended Crab Legs to Eat?
Limitless crab species are available nowadays; this doesn’t mean they are all safe for consumption.
Some have toxic neurotoxins, which can be hazardous to human health. Other crab species lack meat, making them not ideal options.
Here are some of the most excellent crab species with the best crab legs:
Blue Crab
These crabs are ideal for eating because they don’t give you a hard time removing the meat from their legs.
Alaskan King Crab
Since these crabs are pretty large, they are almost everyone’s favorite. Since they’re large, king crab leg has more meat inside.
Snow Crab
Snow crab legs are extensively used in buffets since they don’t require special tools when eating in diners.
Stone Crab
You will undoubtedly be attracted to eating these crabs because of their unique black-tipped red claws features, making them fancier at their peak seasons.
Dungeness Crab
You won’t regret buying the Dungeness crab if you prefer crabs that have juicier, sweeter, and tender meat.
Is It a Pain in the Neck to Cook Crab Legs?
Fortunately, cooking crab legs is a breeze, even for those who don’t excel at cooking. You can try cooking them in several different methods, such as steaming, boiling, or broiling, and you may also serve them with butter.
Unlike other dishes, crab legs don’t call for a time-consuming cooking period. Pre-cooked and frozen crab legs are easy to cook, as most require reheating.
Still and all, breaking or opening the shells is usually the most challenging part when eating crab legs.
It’s practical to provide your guests with a crab cracker to make it easier for them to deal with crab legs.
If you’re inexperienced in opening crab legs, the process can be knotty, leaving the crab’s meat crushed.
It would help if you split the boiled crab legs open using scissors. Alternatively, crack the crab’s joints and extract the meat inside them.
RELATED POST: The Best Sides to Eat with Your Alaskan King Crab Legs
What is the Ideal Amount of Crab Legs Per Person?
Suppose you’re hosting an evening dinner party with college friends. It’s best to find out your guests’ preferences beforehand so you can determine the right amount to prepare.
You may consider the number of expected guests, if they eat seafood or not, how many guests would probably eat more, and how many would skip the crab dish.
The answers to these questions can help determine the number of crab legs each guest will consume.
You can prepare other appetizers or dishes for other guests who are casual seafood eaters or those who would perhaps try a little of the crab dish or won’t eat at all.
But, generally speaking, it’s ideal for giving half or one pound of crab legs to guests who aren’t fond of eating crabs and two pounds to guests who love seafood.
Meanwhile, if crab legs are merely a tiny element of the dish, half a pound per guest should suffice.
We strongly recommend not going for less than this “general rule of thumb amount” if you don’t want to be troubled by having insufficient food prepared for all guests.
Remember, it’s not advisable to serve more crab legs than you think you’ll require for lunch or dinner, especially if you have other dishes to serve.
The reason is that you must keep seafood cool and be consumed immediately.
As you already know, seafood, such as crab legs, is pricey; hence, you won’t wish to have lots of leftovers after the gathering. A little extra should be okay, though.
This technique can ensure you have enough food prepared for everyone, leaving your guests satisfied, therefore, ensuring no one goes home hungry.
Please consider the chart below when cooking crab legs and planning to host lunch or dinner for your guests:
| Number of Guests | Pounds of Crab Leg |
| One | Half a pound to two pounds |
| Two | One to four pounds |
| Five | Two and a half to ten pounds |
| Ten | Five to twenty pounds |
| Fifteen | Seven and a half to thirty pounds |
| Twenty | Ten to forty pounds |
Where Can I Purchase Crab Legs?
Crab legs are easy to find, making them available from grocery stores, supermarkets, and online stores. Since they are generally cooked and frozen, you can frequently buy them frozen.
For all that, if you reside nearby the sea, you’re likelier to buy freshly harvested crab legs by heading to the docks or local market.
Fresh crabs are more flavorful than frozen and cooked ones. Be sure to place crab legs in the fridge immediately.
Afterward, cook them and delight in a mouthwatering eating experience.
You should only refrigerate crab legs for two days to preserve their flavor and quality. But, if you want them to last longer, freezer storage is the best method.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that nothing beats tasty crab dishes during parties and gatherings. Crab meat features a juicier, tender, and flavorful taste that your guest will doubtlessly love.
While it comes with a slightly high price, the joy and satisfaction it gives to every bite are priceless.
Make it a habit to allow two pounds of crab legs per guest to make them gratified and find comfort in a savory meal.
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You can also leave us a comment below because we can’t wait to hear your thoughts about crab legs.
