King Crab vs Snow Crab
Which crab legs should you buy? Here's the honest breakdown.
Which crab legs should you buy? Here's the honest breakdown.
Buying guide · 2026-06-25
Standing at the counter trying to choose between king crab and snow crab? Both are delicious, they're just different animals. Here's the quick, honest comparison.
King crab legs are the big, thick "baseball-bat" legs with large chunks of meat, the most impressive thing on any table. Snow crab comes in smaller, slender clusters that are easier to crack but yield less meat per leg.
King crab is sweeter and richer, with a firm, almost lobster-like bite. Snow crab is milder and a touch more fibrous, still sweet, just lighter.
King crab costs more, it's bigger, wild-caught and harder to harvest. Snow crab is the budget-friendlier crowd-pleaser. For a special occasion, splurge on colossal king crab; for a casual boil feeding a crowd, snow crab stretches further.
Both come fully cooked, so you're just reheating: steam 5–7 minutes, bake at 400°F for 8–10, or boil 4–5. Crack along the soft underside with kitchen shears. Full steps are in our king crab guide.
Want the wow factor and the sweetest meat? King crab. Feeding a big group on a budget? Snow crab. Either way, Caplinger's carries colossal king crab by the pound at our Shadeland and Southside markets, and we'll steam and crack it for you.