Crab meat is an amazingly tasty and expensive delicacy that not everyone can afford. Crabs first appeared around 180 million years ago, but it is estimated that people discovered that crabs were edible around 60,000 years ago. Crab meat is used in many cuisines around the world since they live in all marine environments around the world (the Pacific Islands, North and South America, Europe, India, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand).

Even though crabs are found everywhere, they still remain an expensive delicacy – 1 pound of crab meat costs $150-$170! If you have never tried this delicious food, you are missing out on a lot of things! In this article, we will tell you what crab really tastes like and why you absolutely MUST include it in your diet.

What does crab taste like? Crab has a mild, sweet flavor with notes of honey, but some crabs are salty (depends on the water where the crab lived). Crab is delicate, juicy, and creamy and consists of thick fibers reminiscent of spaghetti, and usually tastes similar to prawns and lobsters but is more pronounced. 

Crab Taste In-Depth Guide – All You Need to Know

There are approximately 10,000 crab varieties that differ in size and color, but only a few species can actually be eaten. The most popular edible crabs are Blue, Dungeness, Snow (Rock), King, and Stone crabs. They all have similar flavors and textures but are different in size and color.

How do you describe the taste of crab? Crab taste can be described as delicate, slightly sweet, and juicy when cooked properly. Crab should not taste bitter or too salty, like ammonia or chemicals. Fresh crab has a delicate texture, a slight aroma of the sea and is never chewy or dry.

Why Is Crab So Tasty?

Crab meat is extremely juicy, delicate, sweet, and creamy, so no wonder it has become a tasty delicacy that not everyone can afford. Add all the health benefits (tons of protein to build muscles, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12) to the incredible taste, and you will understand why crab is so popular.

In shops, you can buy whole crabs as well as parts (legs, back, etc.). You can buy fresh, frozen, or canned crab meat. Fresh crab meat tastes the best, so if you have the opportunity, go to a local fish market and buy the freshest crab meat to experience its real sweet flavor and delicate texture.

Once you try crab meat, you will never be able to forget its taste. When properly cooked, it is in no way inferior to high-end delicacies like lobsters or prawns. However, to enjoy the most exquisite crab flavor, it needs to be fresh – do not store crab meat in the fridge for over two days. Crabs must be cooked on the same day, so if you are not planning on cooking the meat, put it in the freezer.

What Does Crab Smell like?

Fresh crab meat has a subtle smell of the sea. Crab can smell a little fishy or salty, but it should never smell like ammonia or chemicals, as it means the crab has spoiled and cannot be consumed. Do not eat foul-smelling crab, as it can lead to food poisoning. 

Crab meat is extremely soft and tender, and it melts in your mouth if cooked properly. It has a delicately sweet flavor similar to lobster and shrimp. They are often used interchangeably in cooking, but they are not the same. Prawns are more similar to chicken, while lobsters are brinier. Crabs have a lot of glycogen which actually gives the meat such a sweet flavor. It is considered that male crabs are juicier and sweeter than female, and soft-shelled crabs are thought to have the most delicate texture.

Why Does Crab Taste Bad?

Did you just try to cook expensive crab meat only to find out it has a disgusting taste? We understand how frustrating this can be! So, why does crab taste bad? If crab tastes bad (ammonia, bitter, sour, fishy, or like chemicals), it is most likely spoiled and needs to be thrown away. Crab meat is extremely perishable, so it needs to be transported and stored properly, and eaten as quickly as possible. 

Why does crab taste bitter? If crab tastes bitter, it was either stored or transported incorrectly or was treated with some chemicals to preserve its taste and color for longer. In either case, bitter crab should not be eaten as it could be dangerous to your health (food poisoning).

Is crab really fishy tasting? The high-quality fresh crab should not taste fishy at all. It should only have a sweet or slightly salty taste and a delicate texture. However, crabs could have a slight smell of the sea. If crab tastes fishy, it is off because of improper storage or transportation and must be thrown away immediately.

See also: What Does Shrimp Taste Like? Yay or Nay?

Unfortunately, crab, like any seafood, is very perishable, so it needs to be stored and transported properly. If you are unsure if the crab meat is fresh, it is better to throw the delicacy away, or you might spend days recovering from severe food poisoning. We recommend buying crab meat from trusted suppliers, ideally from the local market.

You should not freeze crab if it is possible to buy fresh meat since frozen crab is not as juicy and tasty as fresh. If you freeze the delicacy, do not refreeze it – multiple defrosting processes will only multiply bacteria, kill all vitamins and nutrients and make the meat chewy and flavorless.

How to Cook Crab Meat – What Is Crab Meat Used For?

Crab can be cooked in various ways – it can be boiled, steamed, roasted, and grilled. Boiling is the most popular choice since meat retains all the vitamins and nutrients. Boiled crab meat can be eaten by itself, added to soups, hot dishes, and vegetable salads. Crabs are often mixed with other seafood, especially prawns. It can also be added to pasta or risotto (it goes especially well with cream sauce).

Crab is often used in the finest Japanese restaurants for sushi rolls – for example, in California. Crab goes well with cream cheese, cucumber, steamed artichokes with garlic, Brussels sprouts, and avocado. Interestingly enough, crab goes well with eggs, mango, dill, and even peas and potatoes! The choice is huge – crab goes with virtually anything, but it is important to avoid strong-flavored foods like oranges, sweet potatoes, or pomegranates as they will hide the delicate taste of the crab.

Before serving crab, remember to sprinkle it with lime or lemon to highlight its sweet, delicate flavor and soft texture. You can also season the delicacy with parsley to make it more flavorful.

Eating Crab Meat Health Benefits

Okay, now we know that crab meat is delicious, but what about health benefits? Is crab healthy to eat? Crab is extremely healthy to eat as it is high in protein and low in fat which helps to grow muscle tissue. Crab contains iodine that regulates hormone levels and keeps the thyroid gland healthy. Crab meat also prevents cardiovascular diseases, strengthens the immune system, and reduces inflammation.

In addition to its wonderful taste, crab meat also has a lot of macro and microelements, including phosphorus, calcium, zinc, potassium, and iodine that strengthen bones, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, prevent cardiovascular diseases, help to grow muscle tissue, and improve sleep. Crabs also contain taurine that regulates blood vessel functioning and strengthens eye muscles.

Since crab meat contains only 73 calories per 100 grams, it should be included in your diet if you are trying to lose weight and limit calorie consumption. Crab meat is digested much better and faster than meat and poultry, so it can even be eaten for dinner. This delicacy also contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that regulate cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Zinc and ascorbic acid will boost your immunity and metabolism.

Crab Taste FAQ

Do lobster and crab taste the same? Generally, lobster and crab are interchangeable in dishes as they have a somewhat similar sweetish taste and fibrous texture (low fat and high protein content). However, lobster is not as sweet and delicate as crab – it is slightly salty and has a more pronounced sea smell.

Does crab taste like shrimp? Since crab and shrimp belong to the crustacean family, they have a similar meat flavor and texture. However, crab is a lot sweeter than shrimp, which can be a bit salty, and taste more like chicken. However, crab and shrimp are often used interchangeably.

Does crab taste like chicken? Crab has a more pronounced and sweet flavor than chicken. Chicken is more plain and tasteless. However, crab and chicken have similar fibrous textures since they are both low in fat and high in protein.

What does crab taste like in sushi? Crab in sushi has a sweet and mild taste. When combined with sushi sauce, crab becomes extra juicy and tender. Sometimes in sushi, crab imitation is used, but it will not taste nearly as good as real crab.