What Are the Different Types of Crab Meat?

If you love soft shell crabs, king snow crab legs, or any other crabby delicacies, you already know that crabs are delicious. But have you ever wondered why crab meat is named the way it is? “Lump,” “jumbo lump,” and other terms often confuse restaurant-goers — and even our loyal customers looking for where to buy soft shell crabs online. Use this guide to learn all about the different types of crab meat and what each name means!

A Note on Types of Crabs

Sometimes, it can be tough to tell the difference between a type of crab and a type of crab meat. All crab meat is named using the same conventions, but not all types of crabs are alike. To avoid crabby confusion, keep these types of crabs in mind:

• Maryland Blue Crabs (also called Chesapeake Bay Crabs)
• Alaskan King Crabs
• Alaskan Snow Crabs
• Dungeness Crabs

Do you have your crab names collected? Good! Now, on to the different types of meat.

Jumbo Lump Crab Meat

Fresh crab is always delicious when prepared the right way — but the most sought-after seafood offering by far is jumbo lump crab meat! This white meat comes from the muscle that propels the crab’s swimmer fins, and since each crab only has two of these swimmer fin muscles, jumbo lump crab meat is much harder to come by. It is universally loved for its mild, delicate flavor and sweet taste.

Lump Crab Meat

Not to be confused with jumbo lump crab meat, lump crab meat comes from the body of the crab. This body meat has a “sturdier” consistency, which makes it perfect for crab cakes. Its taste is often said to be stronger than jumbo lump meat but less overpowering than claw meat. In other words, it’s the best of both worlds!

Backfin Meat

The “backfin” isn’t a part of the crab. Rather, backfin meat is named because it’s a mix of lump crab meat and body meat, with no meat from the legs or claws. This type of crab meat is also suitable for crab cakes and many other crab dishes.

Crab Leg Meat

Did you know that crabs have both “walking legs” and “swimming legs?” It’s true! Crab legs are considered to be a delicacy in many different cultures. Since crab leg meat comes from the leg of the crab, the meat is easy to access and eat. Just cook ‘em, crack ‘em open, and enjoy!

Crab Claw Meat

Can you guess where crab claw meat comes from? You have three guesses, and the first two don’t count! This heartier, stronger-flavored meat comes from (you guessed it) the claws of the crab, which tend to be more muscular than the rest of the body. If you absolutely love crab flavor, featuring claw meat in a dish can make it really shine through.

Get Fresh Crabs Delivered Anywhere!

Did reading about cracking open a tasty crab make your stomach rumble? You can get fresh, premium-grade crabs shipped right to your door from Harbour House Crabs, no matter where you are in the USA! Place an order right now, or check out our other scrumptious seafood offerings here.