What’s the Difference Between Snow Crab and King Crab?

Both snow crab and king crab make for an excellent pairing with clarified butter and lemon wedges.But there are some important distinctions between the two crustaceans, and we are here to help clarify them for you:.Size is the most obvious difference between the two crab types, with king crabs being the larger specimen (up to 20 pounds).Snow crabs boast remarkably long legs with thinner shells and reach an average of 2 to 4 pounds.Snow crabs reside in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, preferring the deep, cold water conditions of these northern seas.The Alaskan king crab, on the other hand, has a limited habitat and only resides in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia.Snow crab is named for its meat, which turns from red to snowy white when cooked and boasts a sweet, subtly briny flavor.But the flavor of Alaskan king crab is on another level. The leg meat is known for its extraordinarily rich flavor.Regardless of which crab legs you purchase, both varieties are typically sold pre-cooked and flash frozen.They’re pre-cooked to lock in fresh taste, so all you'll have to do is heat and enjoy!