up close image of a dugeness crab

Whole Dungeness Crab vs. Snap-N-Eats: What’s the Difference?

Posted by Joci Besecker on

If you’ve ever ordered a whole Dungeness crab, you know the excitement of cracking into that beautiful shell. It’s a true Pacific Northwest tradition. But you may have also noticed that once you’ve done all the work of cleaning and cracking, there’s not as much meat as you expected.

That’s where our Dungeness Crab Snap-N-Eats come in. They’re designed to give you all the best parts of the crab - without the mess! Let’s break it down.

Whole Dungeness Crab


A whole crab is perfect when you’re going for the full crab feed experience. The average whole Dungeness weighs between 1.75 and 2.5 pounds. But keep in mind: only about 20 to 25 percent of that weight is edible meat. That means you can expect around 4 to 6 ounces of delicious crab from one whole crab.


The rest is shell, gills, and parts that need to be cleaned out before you can dig in. If you enjoy the hands-on process and tradition, a whole crab is a great choice.


Another thing to consider is the price. A whole crab may look like more for your money, but much of the weight is shell and parts you won’t eat. Our Dungeness Crab Snap-N-Eats give you more edible crab per pound purchased.

Dungeness Crab Snap-N-Eats


Our Snap-N-Eats are a more modern take. We focus on the leg and shoulder sections, where the majority of the meat is concentrated. They’re already cooked and scored for easy cracking, so you can spend more time eating and less time wrestling with the shell.


Best of all, the yield is significantly higher. About 60 to 75 percent of the package weight is edible meat - so when you buy 2 pounds, you’re getting closer to 1.25 - 1.5 pounds of crab ready to enjoy.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Product Weight Sold Approx. Edible Meat Effort Required Key Benefit
Whole Dungeness Crab 2 lbs 4–6 oz (20–25%) High: cleaning, cracking Traditional experience
Dungeness Snap-N-Eats 2 lbs 18-24 oz (60–75%) Low: pre-cooked, pre-scored Maximum yield + convenience


Which Should You Choose?


It really comes down to what kind of crab experience you want. Whole crabs are fun for a traditional, roll-up-your-sleeves crab feast with friends and family. Our Dungeness Crab Snap-N-Eats, on the other hand, are perfect when you want maximum flavor and convenience without the extra work.


Either way, you’re enjoying wild, sustainably caught Dungeness crab from the Pacific Northwest - the freshest, sweetest crab you’ll ever taste.

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