Crab is a delicious addition to any menu. The sweet meat inside each shell is perfect in anything from seafood salad to bisques and pasta dishes. Here are a few of the most popular varieties of crab and what they bring to the table.

4 Different Types of Crab

1. Snow Crab

Usually fished from the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans from January through April, snow crab meat is a sweet choice for any meal. This crab features four walking legs and a pair of large claw arms that are easy to crack and filled with delicious flesh. Snow crab works well with a simple garlic and butter sauce or as part of a seafood platter.

2. Alaskan King Crab

As one of the largest crab species fished from October through January, king crab is usually found in Norton Sound, Alaska, and the Bering Sea. Some varieties are so big they can reach 25 pounds and up to 10 feet in size when measuring the leg expanse, but not every one is edible. The best parts for the succulent bright white meat with bright red edging are the legs and claws. The shells are tricky to break and usually require a cracker.

3. Dungeness Crab

Usually found in seafood markets year-round but harvested from late fall to late spring, Dungeness crab is typically found in coastal waters from Alaska to Mexico. This larger crab can weigh anywhere from one to four pounds and has a shell color spectrum from brown to purple. The pink meat is sweet, tender, and flaky, and is perfect with a little butter.

4. Soft Shell Crabs

Soft shell crabs have been recently molted, which makes their usually hard shells much softer. Typically in North America, blue crab is used to make soft shell crabs in the spring and early summer. Unlike other crabs, the whole body can be eaten and are delicious when fried of sautéed.

Located in Bon Secour, AL, Billy’s Seafood is the top seafood market when you are looking for fresh shrimp, crab, crawfish, and fish. Their motto “If it swims…we got it” lets their customers know that no matter what time of year it is, they will have top selections. Their experienced team can help you find the perfect choice for your next dish. Call (251) 949-6288 with questions about their choices, or visit them online for a look at their options.