Choose crab by both species and format. Large legs make a different meal from picked meat or stone crab claws, and shell-on package weight is not the same as edible meat weight. Here is how to match crab meat to your recipe.
| Crab | Common shopping format | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| King crab | Large legs and claws | A centerpiece crab dinner |
| Snow crab | Leg clusters, claws, or picked meat | Cracking at the table or measured recipe portions |
| Dungeness crab | Whole cooked crab, sections, or meat | A hands-on meal or a crab-meat dish |
| Jonah crab | Claws or picked meat | Crab rolls, salads, and cakes |
| Blue crab | Whole crab or graded picked meat | Regional crab dinners and recipes specifying lump or claw meat |
| Stone crab | Cooked claws | A chilled claw platter or gentle warming |
King crab
King crab appeals to diners who want substantial leg sections. Check the species, origin, size grade, and total package weight. Retail legs are often sold cooked and frozen, but the product label controls. Learn how to heat Alaskan king crab legs without treating already-cooked crab as raw.
Snow crab
Opilio and bairdi are species you may see in the snow crab category. Clusters include a shoulder section, so compare their complete weight and count. Larger does not automatically mean better for every recipe; picked meat may be more convenient for a salad.
Dungeness crab
Dungeness is often purchased as a whole cooked crab or sections. If you are comparing it with picked meat, account for the shell and the work of removing the meat. A whole-crab presentation can be enjoyable when the table is set up for cracking. Compare Dungeness crab for sale and check the current listing for its cluster format and package weight before ordering.
Jonah and blue crab
Plain Jonah crab meat is low in fat and high in protein, but the finished dish’s nutrition also depends on the dressing, breading, and serving size. Check the product label for exact values. Blue-crab meat is often sold in grades such as lump and claw; use the grade the recipe needs rather than assuming all picked crab has the same piece size.
Florida stone crab
Stone crab is sold for its claws. Florida’s harvest season runs from October 15 through May 1. Legal harvest is not limited to one claw in every case: FWC permits both claws to be removed when they meet the applicable rules, while noting the survival benefit of leaving a claw. Retail buyers comparing Florida stone crab claws should check size, weight, cooked status, and storage directions.
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stone crab rules. Reviewed September 22, 2026.
Before you order
- Choose shell-on pieces for a cracking experience or picked meat for recipes.
- Compare net package weight and piece count together.
- Confirm whether the product is raw, cooked, chilled, or frozen.
- Use the label’s storage and preparation directions rather than a universal shelf-life claim.
When you order crab from Maine Lobster Now, start with the format that suits your meal. If large legs are your preference, buy king crab legs online after checking the selected size and package weight.
