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.
Need It By Tomorrow? Order by 3:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Thursday for next day delivery! Plus, get free shipping on orders over $300.
- Wild-caught by trusted experts, Alaskan King Crab Co. brings the sea right to your doorstep. Our king crab is already cooked so that it still tastes like it was just caught. Learn more here.
- The biggest and most-wanted crab legs are Alaskan red king crab legs. Vitamin B-12, omega-3s, and high-quality protein are all found in large amounts in red king crab meat.
- Every order is put in a box with dry ice to keep it frozen on the way to your house.
- Our king crab is already cooked, so all you have to do is thaw, heat, and eat. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight (8-12 hours). Then, simply steam, grill, bake, or boil.
- Dip your crab legs in melted butter with our AKC “Just Add Butter” Seafood Seasoning to make your meal better, and don’t forget to serve some of our favorite side dishes.
Sourced Straight from Sea to Table
Sourced through trusted experts and chosen for taste, texture and quality.
Flash frozen to lock in the fresh-off-the-dock taste.
Packaged with dry ice and shipped overnight directly to your door.
Simply thaw, prep, heat, and eat.
Alaskan king crab boasts a rich, natural sweetness and firm yet tender texture.
After thawing your crab legs in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours, you can steam, grill, bake, or boil. Learn more here. We suggest rinsing your crab legs in freshwater before and after thawing them. You can also heat your king crab legs straight from the freezer; just give them more time to cook in either way.
All of our products will stay good in the freezer for several months. However, for the best taste and texture, we recommend enjoying them within 2-3 months.
All products are hand-weighed using a certified scale. We try to give you as many full legs as we can, but orders may also come with claws, knuckles, and other parts. Dry ice will be used to pack your order so that everything stays frozen until it gets to your door.
Both red king crab and golden king crab have a sweet, rich, and luxurious flavor profile. Golden king crab is a slightly smaller species caught at deeper depths. As a result, their legs are more likely to sting than those of red king crabs, so you should use good shears.
The exact amount of meat in each crab leg will vary slightly. We suggest ordering 1 to 2 pounds of seafood per person, but it depends on how hungry you are and what else is in your seafood feast.
Both red and golden king crab boast 16g of protein, ~350mg of omega 3s, and 9. 8 mcg of vitamin B-12 per 3oz serving. Something went wrong, please contact us!.
We Tried $180 Alaskan King Crab Legs To See If They’re Worth The Money
How much does Costco king crab legs cost?
See More Keto-Friendly Costco Finds Here! In December 2022, Costco King Crab Legs will cost you $38.99 in-store. This is a steep increase from the prices we saw in 2021 (see below)!
Are red king crab legs sold out?
Update for August 2023: Currently Red King Crab Legs are sold out. Head to this post on the Golden King Crab which is it’s current replacement. Signup for spam free updates on new finds, deals, recipes and reviews. 2021: How Much do Costco King Crab Legs Cost? MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOR ALL OUR NEW ORGANIC COSTCO FINDS!
How much does a king crab leg weigh?
So, we’re here to take the guessing out of the game when it comes to both size and portion. FAQ: How much do I order? ANSWER: The average (adult) guest typically enjoys about two pounds of King Crab Legs — three pounds if you’re really celebrating! Check how much delicious meat to expect per leg!
Does king crab legs ship overnight?
Place your order from King Crab Legs Co. today! When you spend $200 or more at King Crab Legs Company, we’ll ship your order with FedEx Priority Overnight for free. Alaskan king crab legs are wild-caught available to order online. Orders over $200 ship overnight for free. We deliver Alaskan king crab and seafood nationwide.
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