Crab meat

Crab meat from crab claws on toast

Brown crab

Crab meat, also known as crab marrow, is the edible meat found in a crab, or more primarily in its legs and claws. It is widely used in global cuisines for its soft, delicate and sweet flavor.

Crab meat is low in fat, provides approximately 340 kilojoules (82 kcal) of food energy per 85-gram (3 oz) serving. Among the most commercially available species are the brown crab (Cancer pagurus), blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus), and red swimming crab (Portunus haanii) .

Grading systems vary by region, with distinctions such as white meat and brown meat based on body part and color.

The methods of crab meat harvesting differ across fisheries, including both whole-crab processing and declawing, where one or both claws are removed and the live crab is returned to the water. This practice is controversial due to animal welfare concerns, although some species can regenerate lost claws through molting, typically about a year later. Crab meat is consumed fresh, frozen, canned, or as imitation crab—a processed seafood product. Labor practices, sustainability, and regional fishing regulations also influence the industry, with notable challenges in areas like the Chesapeake Bay and European fisheries.

Grades

Crab meat roll (Philippines)

Live crab for sale at a market

European crab

In Western Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, crab meat is commonly sourced from the species Cancer pagurus. C. pagurus is a large crab noted for the sweet, delicate flavour of its meat. It is also known as the brown crab, the common crab or the edible crab. The United Kingdom hosts significant fisheries for C. pagurus, with major operations in Scotland and substantial activity in the South West of England, notably Cornwall and Devon.

The highest grade of crab meat is "handpicked" — referring to the manual extraction process that preserves the meat’s natural flavor. In contrast "machine processed crab" employs water or air to separate the meat from the shell, which can adversely affect the flavor. C. pagurus crab meat is widely consumed throughout the countries from where it is fished. Due to its limited fresh shelf life of approximately four days, much of the crab meat available through retailers is sold from previously frozen stock.  Freezing can alter the texture and diminish the natural flavor of white crab meat because of its water content crystallizing during freezing.  Alternatively, pasteurization offers a means to extend shelf life without significantly compromising flavor when done carefully.

C. pagurus provides two distinct types of meat:

White meat

White crab meat is sourced from the claws and legs. Predominantly white, it may exhibit a natural red or brown tinge. This meat is low in fat and high in protein, offering a delicate, sweet flavor, a pleasant aroma, and a flaky texture. Its versatility allows it to be used in various dishes, including sandwiches, pastas, risottos, salads, and as a canapé topping.

Brown meat

Brown meat is obtained from the body of the crab. It has a higher natural fat content and is notably rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. For instance, 100 grams of brown crab meat can provide approximately two-thirds of the recommended weekly intake of Omega-3. This meat has a pâté-like texture and a rich, full flavor. The color and texture of brown meat can vary throughout the year, reflecting the crab’s physiological changes.

It’s important to note that brown crab meat may contain higher levels of cadmium, a heavy metal. While moderate consumption is generally considered safe, regular intake of brown meat should be approached with caution due to potential health risks associated with cadmium exposure.  

In culinary applications, both types of meat are valued for their distinct qualities. White meat is often favored for its delicate flavor and firm texture, making it suitable for a variety of dishes. Brown meat, with its richer flavor and softer texture, is commonly used to enhance sauces, soups, and pâtés.

 

U.S. crab

In the United States, crab meat is categorized into various grades based on the part of the crab from which the meat is harvested and the size of the crab. These grades help consumers and chefs select the appropriate type of meat for different culinary applications.  Below is an overview of these grades:

Colossal

Crab Colossal

Colossal Lump, also known as Mega Jumbo Lump, consists of the largest whole pieces of white meat extracted from the two large muscles connected to the swimming fins of the crab. These impressive lumps are ideal for dishes where the crab meat is the centerpiece, such as cocktail presentations or upscale salads.  

Jumbo lump

Jumbo Lump comprises whole, firm pieces of white meat sourced from the same muscles as Colossal Lump but from smaller crabs.   It boasts a bright white color and succulent texture, making it perfect for high-quality crab cakes, cocktails, or sautéed dishes.

Lump

Crab Lump

Lump crab meat is a blend of broken pieces of Jumbo Lump and large flakes of white body meat.   This grade is versatile and commonly used in crab cakes, dips, salads, and casseroles where the crab meat is mixed with other ingredients.

Back fin

Backfin consists of flakes of white meat, including broken Jumbo Lump pieces and special grade meat from the body cavity.   It is often used in Maryland-style crab cakes, soups, and dips, providing a balance between flavor and affordability.

Special

Special grade crab meat contains smaller flakes of white meat taken from the body cavity of the crab.   Its fine texture makes it suitable for dishes like crab salads, omelets, and soups where smaller crab pieces are appropriate.    

Claw

Claw meat is darker, reddish-brown meat harvested from the claws and swimming fins of the crab.   It has a stronger flavor compared to white meat grades and is often used in dishes with robust sauces, such as soups, bisques, and curries, where its pronounced taste can stand out.

Claw fingers

Claw Fingers

Also known as Cocktail Claws, Claw Fingers are the pincers of the crab with part of the shell removed, leaving the meat exposed. They are typically served as garnish, hors d'œuvre or appetizers, often accompanied by dipping sauces.

Imitation

Main articles: Kamaboko and Surimi

See also: Crab stick

In the United States, imitation crab meat, also known as surimi, is widely used as a cost-effective alternative to real crab meat, , particularly in dishes like seafood salads and American-style sushi, including the California roll. One of the main reasons for its popularity is the labor-intensive and expensive process of extracting fresh crab meat, making imitation crab a more accessible option for both consumers and food service operations.

The flaky, red-edged imitation crab seen in many American dishes is most commonly made from Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), a mild-flavored, white-fleshed fish that is abundant in the Bering Sea, near Alaska, and also found off the coast of central California and in the Sea of Japan. Because of its neutral taste and smooth texture, pollock serves as an ideal base for artificial flavoring and shaping into crab-like products. Other fish are also used depending on availability and regional production, including New Zealand hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae), golden threadfin bream (Nemipterus virgatus), and white croaker (Pennahia argentata), especially in Southeast Asian manufacturing facilities

The origins of surimi date back over 800 years in Japan, where it was traditionally used to make products like kamaboko—steamed or grilled fish cakes still popular today. The specific method for turning surimi into imitation crab meat was developed in Japan in 1975. By 1983, American companies had begun manufacturing imitation crab meat domestically, leading to its widespread use in the modern food industry .

Animal welfare

See also: Pain in crustaceans

Declawing of crabs is the process whereby one or both claws of a live crab are manually pulled off and the animal is then returned to the water. It occurs in several fisheries worldwide, such as in the Florida stone crab (Menippe mercenaria) fishery, the north-east Atlantic deep-water red crab (Chaceon affinis) fishery and in southern Iberia, where the major claws of the fiddler crab Uca tangeri are harvested. There is scientific debate about whether crabs experience pain from this procedure, but there is evidence it increases mortality.

It is argued that declawing therefore provides a sustainable fishery, however, declawing can lead to 47% mortality and negative effects on feeding behaviour. Furthermore, once separated from the body, the claws will start to degenerate—usually, crabs are cooked moments after capture.

See also

• Crab dip – Thick, creamy dip that is typically prepared from cream cheese and lump crab meat
• List of crab dishes
• Pain in invertebrates

External links

• "Grades of Crab Meat". Phillips foods. Archived from the original on 2006-10-15.
• "Crab Meat Products". Newport International. Archived from the original on 2009-05-27.
• "Crab Diagram". Heron Point Seafood. Archived from the original on 2010-03-09.
• "Crab Meat Diagram". Byrd International. Archived from the original on 2016-09-11. Retrieved 2010-10-13.