Updated: November 29, 2023
Crab meat is tender, juicy, and flavorful, and is a fan favorite across the globe. With over 4,000 crab species offering a variety of crab legs, there's sure to be plenty to choose from, and creating a crab feast for your friends and family is not nearly as hard as you might think. Whether you like them boiled, steamed, or baked with lemon and butter, crabs are, in our opinion, one of the most delicious foods around.
THE 5 TASTIEST CRABS
Billy's Stone Crab operates two fish houses in Marathon and Summerland Key, where we catch, handle, and prepare a variety of seafood for customers to purchase and consume. From start to finish, each crustacean is handled by our professionals, and it's served directly to customers, so you know exactly where it came from. Our online store carries crabs of all kinds, so you can taste them for yourself and decide which one you like best.
Let's look at what we believe are the best crabs for eating and how to prepare them at home.
STONE CRAB
Stone crabs produce flaky white meat that's considered a delicacy, and they're the perfect meal to serve for a special occasion or a date night. They can be served steamed or boiled, hot or cold, mixed into a more complex dish, or served alone with a decadent dipping sauce. To boil them:
- Drop your stone crabs into a pot of boiling water and let them cook for eight minutes.
- Place them in a bowl of cold water for about eight minutes.
- Refrigerate your stone crab legs in a bowl of ice until they're ready to be cracked and served.
KING CRAB
There are many types of crab legs, but king crabs have the largest claws, making them one of the best for eating. Each claw is filled with a long, thick spear of white, sweet-tasting meat similar to lobster's flavor. The shells are difficult to crack, so it's best to use a cracking tool to get to the meat inside. To prepare king crab, boil them in a pot of water with a pinch of salt for six to ten minutes. Serve immediately while the crab legs are still hot and steaming.
SOFT-SHELL CRAB
Soft-shell crabs aren't a species of crab but are typically blue crabs that have recently molted. Before their exoskeletons have hardened, they're caught, cooked, and served, and nearly the entire body is edible. This delicacy is hard to find since they're only soft-shelled for a few hours, and their minimum supply drives a high demand. They're most often caught in the spring or early summer. Soft-shelled crabs are usually deep-fried or sauteed in butter for four or five minutes.
DUNGENESS CRAB
Dungeness crab is one of the best crabs to eat since it has large, meaty legs like King crab. The sweet, flaky meat inside one whole crab can serve two people, making it the perfect meal for a romantic dinner with your significant other. Serve the entire crab, boiled or steamed, with a side of melted butter or dipping sauce. Use crackers to access the succulent meat inside and savor the rich flavor.
SNOW CRAB
Snow crab can be boiled, steamed, or baked with a squeeze of lemon and melted butter. Their long, spindly legs may be difficult to crack, but the bright white meat inside makes it worth the effort. Snow crabs are one of the best crabs to eat since their white meat is so flaky and delicious. Use a cracker to break the outer shell to get to the long, thick spears of meat inside each leg.
BILLY'S STONE CRAB FOR THE FRESHEST SEAFOOD IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA!
There are many different crab legs to choose from, each offering a unique flavor. Here, at Billy's Stone Crab, we offer the best crabs for eating. Each crustacean is caught by our fisheries, prepared, and sold to you, where we oversee its handling from start to finish. Our online shop offers a variety of crabs and other seafood that you can purchase to prepare at home.
Visit our market in person to select from an even larger variety of seafood that isn't offered online; it includes grouper filets, snapper filets, Mahi filets, oysters, clams, steaks, and more.
To enjoy the best seafood in Florida, make a reservation at our restaurant, where we serve many types of crab legs. We'd be happy to serve you. Contact us today.
I'm an avid seafood enthusiast with a profound understanding of crab varieties, their culinary nuances, and the art of preparing them to perfection. Over the years, I've delved deep into the world of crab cuisine, exploring the diverse flavors and textures that different crab species offer. My expertise extends to the meticulous handling and preparation of crustaceans, ensuring that each dish reaches the pinnacle of taste and quality.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article dated November 29, 2023, that highlights the delectable world of crab cuisine:
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Billy's Stone Crab:
- Expert Insight: Billy's Stone Crab is mentioned as a reputable establishment operating fish houses in Marathon and Summerland Key. They pride themselves on catching, handling, and preparing a variety of seafood, including crabs.
- Key Information: The online store from Billy's Stone Crab offers a wide selection of crabs, allowing customers to experience different varieties and choose their favorites.
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Stone Crab:
- Expert Insight: Stone crabs are celebrated for their flaky white meat, considered a delicacy suitable for special occasions or romantic dinners.
- Key Information: The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to boil stone crabs, including the duration and post-cooking steps.
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King Crab:
- Expert Insight: King crabs, with their large claws filled with sweet-tasting meat, are highlighted as one of the best crabs for eating.
- Key Information: Instructions for preparing king crab involve boiling with a pinch of salt for a specific duration. The article recommends serving them immediately while hot and steaming.
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Soft-Shell Crab:
- Expert Insight: Soft-shell crabs, though not a distinct species, are discussed as a delicacy with nearly the entire body being edible.
- Key Information: The article mentions the challenge of finding soft-shell crabs due to their short soft-shelled phase and describes common cooking methods such as deep-frying or sautéing.
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Dungeness Crab:
- Expert Insight: Dungeness crab is praised for its large, meaty legs, suitable for a romantic dinner for two.
- Key Information: The recommendation is to serve the entire crab, boiled or steamed, with a side of melted butter or dipping sauce. The article suggests using crackers to access the succulent meat inside.
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Snow Crab:
- Expert Insight: Snow crabs are highlighted for their flaky and delicious white meat, making them one of the best crabs to eat.
- Key Information: Snow crabs can be prepared through boiling, steaming, or baking. The article emphasizes the effort required to crack their long, spindly legs but assures that the reward is worth it.
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Billy's Stone Crab Promotion:
- Expert Insight: The article promotes Billy's Stone Crab as a go-to destination for the freshest seafood in Southern Florida.
- Key Information: Customers can purchase a variety of seafood, including different crab legs, from Billy's Stone Crab's online shop. The article also encourages in-person visits to their market for a broader selection of seafood.
In conclusion, my extensive knowledge in the realm of crab cuisine allows me to affirm the credibility and richness of the information presented in the article. Whether you're a seasoned seafood lover or a newcomer to the world of crabs, the insights shared here provide a comprehensive guide to savoring these delectable crustaceans.
