Lobster and Crab

Lobster vs. Crab

Two of the most popular kinds of seafood in the world are crab and lobster. Of course, some seafood lovers have preferences when it comes to crab vs. lobster , while others enjoy both of these options in a nice crab and lobster bisque, for example.

The reason that some people have preferences is that there are differences between lobster and crab when it comes to preparation, taste, and more. It’s important to understand the difference between lobster and crab, so you know which option to choose and prepare for different meals. Let’s look at some of the most important and most frequently asked questions regarding lobster vs. crab.

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Lobster vs. Crab Taste

Naturally, one of the first things that you want to consider when you are choosing between crab & lobster will be the taste. Does lobster taste like crab? While there might be some similarities between these two foods, you will find that there is a different taste.

When it comes to crab vs. lobster taste, the meat from crabs tends to have a mildly sweet flavor in many cases. Of course, depending on the type of crab you choose, it could have a brinier taste to it. Lobster meat is not as sweet as crab, but it does have a nice, clean flavor. Crabmeat also tends to be flaky when compared with lobster , which is harder than crab.

Which is the better option when choosing between crab or lobster? Ultimately, it will come down to what you are making, what the recipe calls for, how much you want to spend, and which taste you prefer.

Lobster vs. Crab: The Price Difference

The amount of money you want to spend on your seafood will also make a difference when you are choosing between options like Dungeness crab legs and lobster. The price of crabs will vary depending on the type of crab and the size, naturally. However, crabs are typically much cheaper than lobster.

Those who are on a budget and who still want to enjoy great seafood may find crabs to be the ideal choice. Of course, you will always want to check the current prices to see what’s on sale and what’s available in your area or to buy online for lobster and crab.

When it comes to king crab vs. lobster, you will find that you typically get more meat from the lobster. However, king crab will offer more meat per claw than what you will find with an option like snow crabs.

Lobster Nutrition Facts

Many people who are interested in adding more lobster to their diet also want to know more about lobster nutrition including lobster calories. They want to know what they can expect when they are eating lobster.

The United States Department of Agriculture has a National Nutrient Database that provides some answers. In a cup of lobster that is approximately 145 grams, you will have 1.25 grams of fat, 0 grams of carbohydrates, and 27.55 grams of protein. In this portion size, there will be 129 calories in lobster. Lobster is also rich in copper, selenium, zinc, and other minerals.

Lobster tail nutrition and claw nutrition are essentially the same. However, you will have to keep in mind that how you prepare the lobster will change the lobster nutrition .

When you are preparing your food, in addition to the lobster nutrition facts, you also have to account for all of the other elements that go into the lobster. For example, lobster tail nutrition will vary when you dip those tails into melted butter.

Crab Nutrition Facts

Let’s now move on to talk about crab nutrition . You will find that nutrition can vary somewhat by the type of crab, although they do tend to be similar. Let’s start with Alaskan king crab nutrition. In about 85 grams of this type of crab, you will find 1 gram of fat, 1 gram of carbohydrates, and 16 grams of protein. Another fact about king crab legs nutrition is that it’s full of zinc, an antioxidant.

Dungeness crab nutrition is only slightly different from king crabs. For 85 grams of Dungeness crab, the fat and carbohydrates will remain the same. The only difference is in the protein. Dungeness crabs will have 19 grams of protein compared to the 16 in king crabs. However, they are essentially the same including minerals like zinc and copper.

What Are Red King Crab?

King crab legs from the red king crab will be notably larger than what you will find with other species of crab, including other king crabs. They can range in color from brownish to bluish red, and they are most abundant in places like Bristol Bay and Norton Sound. Many people enjoy these crab legs because they are thought to have the richest flavor of all of the varieties of king crab.

What Are Snow Crab Legs

Snow crab legs from the snow crab have some advantages when compared to king crab legs. For starters, they are easier to handle. The Alaskan snow crab legs have a smoother shell, which is also easier to break, even by hand. Each of the snow crab clusters, or sections, will typically have more than four legs, and you will find that the flavor is sweet and delicate.

They often have a good price, as well. However, you will find that it takes more snow crab legs to equal the same amount of meat in king crab legs.

Is Sebastian a Crab or a Lobster?

If you have ever watched The Little Mermaid from Disney, you know that Ariel, the titular character, has a couple of underwater best friends, including Sebastian. One of the questions that you might have is just what type of sea creature singing Sebastian truly is. It turns out that Sebastian is a crab.

He was voiced by Samuel E. Wright in the movies and the television shows based on The Little Mermaid. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you are probably familiar at least in passing with the song he sings, “Under the Sea” because it’s a part of pop culture. Of course, you probably don’t want to think about the singing crab while you are preparing your meals.

How to Cook Crab Legs and Lobster Tails

When you are cooking lobster and crab, you want to know how to do it right. You want to know how to cook Dungeness crab, how to cook king crab legs, and how to get your lobster exactly right. Fortunately, you will find that the same basic cooking methods can work for the various types of seafood. Here, we will be taking a closer look at how to cook your crab and lobster right.

If you have frozen crab legs or lobster tails, you will typically want to thaw them in the refrigerator for between eight to 10 hours first. They can be cooked frozen, but this makes the meat somewhat tougher.

You can season the lobster and crab before cooking regardless of the method you choose to prepare them. You might want to brush the legs or tails with melted butter, along with some garlic powder and pepper. You will not want to add salt, though, as this can remove moisture from the meat and make it tougher.

Broiling

Broiling is the most popular option when cooking these types of seafood. For lobster, you will want to fan the end portion of the lobster tail and wrap it in foil, so it won’t burn. Place the tail into a shallow pan with a small amount of water. This will create some steam when broiling, so it doesn’t try out. You can place crab legs meat side up on a baking pan, but no portion of them will need to be wrapped in foil.

You will typically want to broil the crab and lobster between four to six inches from the heat. If you have between one and three ounces, you will broil for between three and five minutes. For four to six ounces, broil for five to six minutes. 10 to 12 ounces should broil for eight to 10 minutes, and 14 to 16 ounces should broil for 12 to 15 minutes.

Steaming

Another simple option is to steam the crab or lobster. Follow the instructions for broiling but add more water to the pan. Additionally, you will want to cover the seafood in this case. Place the pan in an oven that has been preheated to 400-degrees F. You could opt to use white wine in place of the water. If you do this, place the crab legs on a rack in the pan, so they are not poached. You can double the amount of cooking time above when steaming the seafood.

Countless Ways to Prepare Lobster and Crab

Regardless of whether you want to choose lobster or crab, there are many ways to create delicious appetizers and entrées. You could do something relatively simple, such as the methods discussed above. However, there are plenty of ways that you can be even more creative with your meals. Lobster and crab bisque are popular, as are lobster crab cakes. You could even make crab-stuffed lobster tail if you are in the mood for a real treat.