Which crab is noted as a West Coast alternative main dish for Thanksgiving?

Dungeness crab is noted as a West Coast alternative main dish for Thanksgiving.

Named for Dungeness, Washington, this crab is native to the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from the Aleutian Islands and Alaska down to California. Its sweet, tender meat makes it a prized seasonal food, especially in coastal communities from Washington and Oregon to Northern California.

In the San Francisco Bay Area and other West Coast locations, families may serve freshly cooked Dungeness crab instead of turkey or as part of a larger holiday meal. The tradition is closely tied to the commercial fishing season, which often begins near the Thanksgiving period, although weather, conservation rules, whale protection measures, and toxin concerns can delay harvests.

Dungeness crab is not interchangeable with blue crab, king crab, or snow crab. Those species have different ranges, sizes, seasons, and flavor profiles. A West Coast Thanksgiving featuring crab is regional rather than a nationwide standard, but it is a well-established coastal tradition.