When you’re throwing a party, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is how much crawfish to buy. Not sure how many pounds of crawfish per person to get? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.
In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to figure out how much crawfish you need for your party.
So whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a large bash, read on for information that will help make sure everyone gets their fill of mudbugs.
What is Crawfish?
Before figuring out how much crawfish to buy per person, it’s important to understand what these little creatures are.
Crawfish, also known as crayfish, creek bugs, and mudbugs, are freshwater crustaceans that resemble small lobsters.
They’re a popular delicacy in the Southern United States, especially in Louisiana, often served boiled with spices.
How Many Pounds of Crawfish Per Person?
Now that you know more about crawfish let’s figure out how much to buy per person. The general rule is to purchase 3-6 pounds of crawfish for every two people.
However, if you’re serving other dishes alongside the crawfish, you may want to buy a bit more. And if you’re serving crawfish as the main course, you’ll need at least three pounds per person.
How Many Crawfish Do You Need Per Person?
You’ll need to consider what else you’d like with the crawfish, but here’s a sketch. If you’re unsure, add a few extra pounds per person and expect to either send your visitors home with the surplus or make sure there’s space in the freezer.
Figure about three pounds of live crawfish per person for the main dish with crawfish. This will give you plenty of leftovers to enjoy as well.
Be sure to have potatoes ready to boil and lots of garlic butter. If you’re looking for something lighter, consider a crawfish salad instead. In that case, plan on ½ pound of crawfish per person.
If you have a crawfish boil, remember that not everyone will eat crawfish. So plan on about ¼ pound of crawfish per person, making sure there’s plenty of potatoes, corn, and sausage too.
Purchasing Crawfish
Now that you know how much crawfish to buy per person, it’s time to start shopping. You can find crawfish at most seafood markets, and they’re usually available during the spring and early summer.
Just make sure to call ahead and reserve what you need, as they tend to sell out fast during peak season.
Cooking Crawfish
Once you’ve got your crawfish, then comes the fun part: cooking. There are many ways to cook up these delicious crustaceans.
You can boil them with spices like Old Bay seasoning and serve alongside corn on the cob, red potatoes, and sausage or go for a more traditional Southern dish of boiled crawfish with Creole sauce.
What to Serve with Crawfish?
Crawfish is usually served as a main course and paired with side dishes like rice, coleslaw, or potato salad.
You may also serve some bread on the side if you’re planning on having your guests crack open their shells. Just remember to provide plenty of napkins for everyone.
What are some popular crawfish dishes that everyone will love?
Here are three of our favorites:
- Crawfish Étouffée: This is a Cajun dish that is made with crawfish, vegetables, and a sauce.
- Crawfish Jambalaya: A classic Louisiana dish that is made with rice, vegetables, and crawfish.
- Crawfish Fettuccine: A nice twist to the classic fettuccine alfredo. This dish adds crawfish, vegetables, and a sauce to fettuccine noodles.
- Crawfish Boil: The traditional way to prepare crawfish is the boil them in large pots with seasonings and other seafood like shrimp or crab.
Are There Any Ways to Make the Experience of Eating Crawfish Even Better?
Of course! The first rule of eating crawfish is that you shouldn’t eat the little red things and instead focus on the meat. There are two ways to do this: with a knife or fork.
Forks can be used by those who have no sense of taste – they only need to push the meat out of the shell. But for those who want to enjoy the taste of crawfish, using a knife is the way to go.
First, you have to twist off the head and then split it in two with the knife. You can then suck out the brains (which are creamy) and discard the rest.
The next step is to remove the tail and split it in two. Finally, you can eat the meat or use a fork to push it out of the shell.
Some people like to add melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, hot sauce, or Worcestershire sauce to their crawfish before eating them. And don’t forget about the potatoes.
Crawfish are great with potatoes, and you can add them to the crawfish boil or fry them up in butter. You can also make a delicious side dish by combining crawfish and mashed potatoes. Just don’t forget about the hushpuppies.
These recipes call for one pound of live, whole crawfish per person, which is about five to eight pounds. This will feed two or four people very well if you add side dishes like cornbread or hushpuppies.
And don’t forget the bread. A great way to soak up all that delicious butter and juice from the crawfish boil is with some fresh bread.
How Much Does a Pound of Crawfish Cost?
The price per pound of crawfish varies greatly depending on where you buy them and how many you want to purchase.
For example, if you were planning to purchase 30 pounds of crawfish at $18/lb, they would cost around $540, which is a good amount of money.
However, if you were planning to purchase just 15 pounds, they would cost around $270, which is still quite expensive considering how much meat there is in one pound.
The average price per pound of crawfish here in Louisiana is around $7-$8/lb, so it’s a good idea to shop around and find the best price before you buy.
And, if you’re looking to save money, I would recommend purchasing them frozen since they will last for months in your freezer and cook up perfectly every time.
The best place to purchase crawfish is from local farmers because they have been harvested recently, which means there’s no need for them to be frozen before cooking, making for a much better tasting product.
You can also find good deals on live ones at some grocery stores like Wal-Mart or Target, but these will usually come in smaller quantities, so if you need more than just one pound, then it might not be worth the trip.
The last tip I have for buying crawfish is to purchase them at a reputable seafood market where they sell live ones every day of the week.
This way, you know that what you’re getting has been harvested as recently as possible and is of the highest quality.
FAQs About Crawfish:
How do I boil crawfish?
To boil crawfish, you will need a large pot or container that can hold at least five gallons of water. You can add any seasonings you like to the boiling water, such as garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. I also like to add potatoes and corn on the cob to the boil.
Once the water has come to a boil, you can add the crawfish and then cover the pot with a lid. The crawfish will cook for about six minutes or until they turn bright red. Be sure not to overcook them because they will become tough and chewy.
After removing them from the boiling water, I dump them into a large ice chest and add some cold water. This will help to cool them down quickly so you can start eating.
What is the best seasoning for crawfish?
There are endless possibilities for seasonings for crawfish, but my personal favorite is a mixture of garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. Depending on your taste preferences, you can add as much or as little of each seasoning as you like.
How do I clean crawfish?
To clean crawfish, you will need to remove the head and tail. Then, pull off all of their legs along with any other small pieces that may be attached before rinsing under cold running water. You also want to make sure there are no stones or dead insects inside each one as this can cause illness if ingested.
How do you eat crawfish?
The most common way to eat crawfish is by sucking the heads. You can also peel the tails off and dip them in melted butter or cocktail sauce (or both). If you’re feeling adventurous, try removing all of your fingers from one hand except for your index finger, so it looks like a claw.
How long will boiled crawfish keep?
Boiled crawfish will usually keep for about two days in the fridge. If you want to freeze them, I recommend wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. They will stay good for up to six months.
Can I freeze crawfish?
Yes, you can freeze crawfish. I would recommend wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. They will stay good for up to six months.
Crawfish are delicious seafood that is enjoyed by people all over the world. We love to boil them here in Louisiana and eat them as an appetizer or main course. You can purchase them fresh, frozen, or live, typically sold by the pound.
What is the best way to cook crawfish?
The best way to cook crawfish is by boiling them. This method produces tender meat full of flavor, and it doesn’t take long at all. You can season the boiling water with anything you like, such as garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and Old Bay seasoning.
One of my favorite ways to eat crawfish is boiling them in a pot with some water, salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. I like to add potatoes because it gives the dish more substance and helps fill you up faster.
What is the difference between boiled and grilled crawfish?
The main difference between boiled and grilled crawfish is the cooking method. Grilled crawfish are cooked over an open flame, while boiled crawfish are cooked in water. Boiled crawfish tend to be more tender because they cook for a shorter time, while grilled crawfish have a slightly smokier flavor. Both methods are delicious.
What is the difference between crawfish and shrimp?
The main difference between crawfish and shrimp is that crawfish are freshwater, while shrimp are saltwater. Crawfish are also typically larger than shrimp and have a different flavor profile. Shrimp are milder in taste and slightly sweeter than crawfish. Both dishes are popular in Louisiana cuisine.
How much does a sack of live crawfish weigh?
Crawfish sacks weigh between 20-30 pounds. They are usually packed with about 300 crawfish (on average). But, if you order a sack of crawfish to go and it weighs less, don’t worry.
You could be getting more than the normal amount. Because we use pounds as our unit of measurement for selling crawfish, we don’t always know the exact number of crawfish in each sack.
So, if your sack weighs less than 30 pounds but you ordered a large one—don’t worry. You could have more craws than usual.
Conclusion
Now that we know how many pounds of crawfish are per person, what are some other things you can do to help yourself with the problem?
You could also try making a list. But, first, write down all the possible ways you could make this situation better, and then create a plan for each one.
(For example, if your goal was: “I want to be able to eat crawfish without feeling overwhelmed,” you might plan on eating a few at a time instead of trying to eat the entire pot).