21 Most Popular Types of Shellfish to Try
Shellfish are a tasty and healthy part of many seafood lovers’ diets. But with so many types out there, it can be tough to know which ones to try. I get it – I’ve been there too!
That’s why I’ve put together this list of the 21 most popular shellfish to try in 2024. I’ll walk you through each type, sharing what makes them special and how to enjoy them best.
Whether you’re a seafood pro or just starting to explore, this guide will help you find new favorites to add to your plate.
Ready to dive into the world of shellfish?
Let’s get started!
1. Lobster
Lobsters, which originate from cold Atlantic waters, have a hard, spiny shell and succulent, sweet meat. Their rich flavor is beloved worldwide, especially in fine dining.
Fun Fact: Lobsters used to be considered a poor man’s food in the 1800s!
- Major Varieties: Maine Lobster, Spiny Lobster
- Key Nutrients: High in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium
- Preparation Method: Steamed, boiled, grilled, baked
- Popular Dishes: Lobster roll, lobster bisque, lobster thermidor
2. Shrimp
Shrimp, often found in both fresh and saltwater, are small, pink, and tender when cooked. They have a mild, sweet flavor that complements a wide variety of dishes.
Fun Fact: Shrimp is the most consumed seafood in the U.S.!
- Major Varieties: Tiger Shrimp, White Shrimp
- Key Nutrients: Protein, vitamin B12, selenium
- Preparation Method: Grilled, sautéed, fried, boiled
- Popular Dishes: Shrimp scampi, shrimp cocktail, tempura shrimp
3. Crab
Crabs are native to both freshwater and saltwater regions. They have a tough exoskeleton and sweet, flaky meat. The delicate flavor is often enjoyed in soups or crab cakes.
Fun Fact: Crabs can regrow lost limbs over time!
- Major Varieties: King Crab, Dungeness Crab, Blue Crab
- Key Nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin B12
- Preparation Method: Steamed, boiled, baked
- Popular Dishes: Crab cakes, crab bisque, crab boil
4. Clams
Clams, usually found buried in sandy shores, have a chewy texture and briny flavor. They are a staple in many coastal dishes.
Fun Fact: Some clam species can live up to 100 years!
- Major Varieties: Little Neck Clams, Quahog Clams, Razor Clams
- Key Nutrients: Iron, vitamin C, vitamin B12
- Preparation Method: Steamed, baked, grilled
- Popular Dishes: Clam chowder, clams casino, steamed clams
5. Oysters
Oysters thrive in brackish coastal waters and are prized for their smooth, briny flavor, often enjoyed raw or grilled.
Fun Fact: Oysters can change gender multiple times during their lives!
- Major Varieties: Pacific Oysters, Eastern Oysters
- Key Nutrients: Zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D
- Preparation Method: Raw, grilled, baked
- Popular Dishes: Oysters Rockefeller, raw oysters on the half shell
6. Mussels
Mussels, commonly found clinging to rocks in coastal regions, have tender meat with a slightly sweet and oceanic flavor.
Fun Fact: Mussels filter up to 20 liters of water daily, helping to clean the ocean!
- Major Varieties: Blue Mussels, Green-lipped Mussels
- Key Nutrients: Protein, iron, omega-3s
- Preparation Method: Steamed, baked, sautéed
- Popular Dishes: Moules-frites, mussel stew, steamed mussels in white wine
7. Scallops
Scallops, with their delicate, fan-shaped shells, offer a mild, sweet flavor and tender texture. They’re a popular choice for quick, elegant meals.
Fun Fact: Scallops have up to 100 tiny eyes that help them detect movement and light!
- Major Varieties: Sea Scallops, Bay Scallops
- Key Nutrients: Protein, magnesium, phosphorus
- Preparation Method: Seared, grilled, baked
- Popular Dishes: Seared scallops, scallop risotto, grilled scallops
8. Squid
Squid, often mistaken for octopus, have a firm texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
Fun Fact: Squid can change color rapidly to blend into their surroundings!
- Major Varieties: Giant Squid, Market Squid
- Key Nutrients: Protein, copper, selenium
- Preparation Method: Grilled, fried, braised
- Popular Dishes: Calamari, stuffed squid, squid ink pasta
9. Octopus
Octopus, with its eight tentacles, offers a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture when cooked properly.
Fun Fact: Octopuses are incredibly intelligent and can even use tools!
- Major Varieties: Common Octopus, Giant Pacific Octopus
- Key Nutrients: Iron, omega-3s, vitamin B6
- Preparation Method: Grilled, boiled, braised
- Popular Dishes: Grilled octopus, octopus salad, octopus stew
10. Sea Urchin (Uni)
Sea urchins, found on rocky ocean floors, are prized for their creamy, rich roe with a briny flavor.
Fun Fact: Sea urchins are closely related to starfish!
- Major Varieties: Red Sea Urchin, Purple Sea Urchin
- Key Nutrients: Protein, vitamin A, omega-3s
- Preparation Method: Raw, sushi, sautéed
- Popular Dishes: Uni sushi, sea urchin pasta, uni toast
11. Prawns
Prawns, often confused with shrimp, have a slightly firmer texture and sweeter flavor.
Fun Fact: Prawns can grow up to 12 inches long!
- Major Varieties: Giant Tiger Prawns, Banana Prawns
- Key Nutrients: Protein, vitamin E, zinc
- Preparation Method: Grilled, fried, boiled
- Popular Dishes: Grilled prawns, prawn curry, prawn cocktail
12. Abalone
Abalone, a prized delicacy in many cultures, has a firm, slightly chewy texture with a mild, buttery flavor.
Fun Fact: Abalone shells are used to make jewelry and decorative items due to their iridescent beauty!
- Major Varieties: Black Abalone, Green Abalone
- Key Nutrients: Protein, calcium, magnesium
- Preparation Method: Grilled, steamed, raw
- Popular Dishes: Abalone sashimi, grilled abalone, abalone soup
13. Crawfish
Crawfish, also known as crayfish, are small freshwater crustaceans that resemble tiny lobsters, with tender, slightly sweet meat.
Fun Fact: Louisiana produces around 90% of the world’s crawfish!
- Major Varieties: Red Swamp Crawfish, White River Crawfish
- Key Nutrients: Protein, vitamin B12, iron
- Preparation Method: Boiled, grilled, in stews
- Popular Dishes: Crawfish boil, crawfish étouffée, crawfish pie
14. Periwinkle
Periwinkles are small sea snails often harvested from rocky shores. They have a chewy texture and a briny, slightly sweet flavor.
Fun Fact: Periwinkles can survive out of water for extended periods by closing their shells tightly!
- Major Varieties: Common Periwinkle, Rough Periwinkle
- Key Nutrients: Iron, magnesium, protein
- Preparation Method: Steamed, in stews, sautéed
- Popular Dishes: Periwinkle stew, periwinkles in garlic butter
15. Razor Clams
Razor clams, named for their long, thin shape, have tender meat and a sweet, delicate flavor.
Fun Fact: Razor clams can burrow into the sand at lightning speed when threatened!
- Major Varieties: Pacific Razor Clam, Atlantic Razor Clam
- Key Nutrients: Protein, iron, vitamin B12
- Preparation Method: Grilled, sautéed, in soups
- Popular Dishes: Grilled razor clams, razor clam chowder
16. Geoduck
Geoducks, the largest burrowing clams, have a mild, sweet flavor and a slightly crunchy texture.
Fun Fact: Geoducks can live for more than 100 years!
- Major Varieties: Pacific Geoduck
- Key Nutrients: Protein, omega-3s, zinc
- Preparation Method: Sashimi, grilled, in hot pot
- Popular Dishes: Geoduck sashimi, geoduck stir-fry
17. Whelk
Whelks are large sea snails with a chewy texture and a slightly sweet, briny flavor.
Fun Fact: Whelks use their long, spiral-shaped shells to bore holes into other mollusks to feed!
- Major Varieties: Common Whelk, Knobbed Whelk
- Key Nutrients: Protein, iron, magnesium
- Preparation Method: Boiled, sautéed, in stews
- Popular Dishes: Whelk salad, whelk soup
18. Cockles
Cockles are small, heart-shaped shellfish with tender meat and a mild, sweet flavor.
Fun Fact: Cockles have been enjoyed by humans for over 6,000 years, making them one of the oldest seafood staples!
- Major Varieties: Common Cockle, Blood Cockle
- Key Nutrients: Protein, iron, vitamin B12
- Preparation Method: Steamed, in stews, grilled
- Popular Dishes: Cockle pie, steamed cockles, cockle soup
19. Conch
Conch, a popular shellfish in the Caribbean, has a firm texture with a sweet, slightly nutty flavor.
Fun Fact: Conch shells can produce pearls but are incredibly rare!
- Major Varieties: Queen Conch, West Indian Fighting Conch
- Key Nutrients: Protein, selenium, vitamin E
- Preparation Method: Grilled, fried, in stews
- Popular Dishes: Conch fritters, conch salad, grilled conch
20. Barnacles
Barnacles, though uncommon on many menus, offer a sweet, lobster-like flavor with a slightly chewy texture.
Fun Fact: Barnacles have the longest penis relative to their size of any animal in the world!
- Major Varieties: Goose Barnacle, Acorn Barnacle
- Key Nutrients: Protein, calcium, iron
- Preparation Method: Steamed, boiled
- Popular Dishes: Goose barnacles steamed with lemon, barnacle stew
21. Rock Lobster
Rock lobsters, also known as spiny lobsters, are found in warmer waters and have a harder shell than the common lobster. They have a slightly sweet and firm meat, typically enjoyed grilled or in stews.
Fun Fact: Unlike regular lobsters, rock lobsters don’t have large claws; all their meat is found in the tail!
- Major Varieties: Caribbean Spiny Lobster, California Spiny Lobster
- Key Nutrients: Protein, vitamin B12, selenium
- Preparation Method: Grilled, broiled, baked
- Popular Dishes: Grilled rock lobster tail, rock lobster salad, spiny lobster stew
Conclusion
Now that we’ve explored some popular shellfish types, you’re ready to expand your seafood horizons!
I hope this guide has sparked your interest in trying new shellfish varieties. Remember, each type offers unique flavors and textures, adding excitement to your meals.
Shellfish isn’t just tasty – it’s also packed with nutrients like protein and omega-3s. So why not make it a goal to try a new shellfish each month?
You might find a new favorite! Next time you’re at a seafood market or restaurant, pick a shellfish from this list you haven’t tried before. Don’t forget to share your experiences in the comments below.
Who knows? Your story might inspire others to dive into the wonderful world of shellfish, too!
