Craving some succulent crab but aren’t sure where to find high-quality fresh crab meat nearby? You’ve come to the right place This comprehensive guide will walk you through your options for purchasing premium crab meat in your area.

Check Local Seafood Markets and Fish Mongers

One of the best places to find fresh crab meat is your local specialty seafood market or fish monger. These businesses pride themselves on providing customers with the highest quality sustainable seafood. Here’s what to look for:

• A wide selection of fresh crab varieties like blue crab, king crab, snow crab, and Dungeness crab.

• Crab meat sold in containers labeled with details like the type of crab and its origin Reputable sellers will be transparent

• Prices that reflect the quality. Expect to pay around $20 or more per pound for jumbo lump crab meat.

• A high turnover of inventory to ensure freshness. Ask when they get deliveries.

• Excellent customer service and fishmongers who can answer your questions and give cooking recommendations.

Some of the top rated seafood markets in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami have excellent crab meat selections worth checking out. Don’t be afraid to call around and ask about their current inventory.

Check the Seafood Counter at Grocery Stores

Your local grocery store seafood counter is another convenient option for buying fresh crab. The selection may be smaller than a dedicated fish market, but you can often find crab meat sold by the pound. Grocery store crab is typically pasteurized for safety.

Ask the seafood counter worker when they get shipments in and try to shop on delivery days for optimum freshness. Inspect the crab meat carefully before purchasing and give it a sniff test. It should have a sweet, mild aroma with no fishy or ammonia odors.

Buying at the seafood counter allows you to purchase just what you need for a recipe without committing to a huge quantity. And you can combine your crab meat with other ingredients for a one-stop ingredients shop.

Purchase Directly from Local Crab Fishermen

If you live in a coastal region where blue crabs, Dungeness crabs, or other crab varieties are fished, consider purchasing directly from local crab fishermen or their wives who sell the picked meat. Buying straight from the source means you’ll get the freshest, best tasting crab around.

Crab fishermen often sell their catch at local farmer’s markets, seafood stores, or docks. You can also sometimes order directly online. Prices per pound are typically lower when buying straight from the crabber versus a store. Just prepare for some variability in sizing and lump sizes.

Order Online and Get Crab Meat Shipped Overnight

The internet has opened up a world of options for purchasing premium fresh crab no matter where you live. Online seafood retailers like Seattle Fish Company, Fortune Fish & Goya, and Luke’s Lobster allow you to order crab meat overnight.

Look for sellers who process and ship the crab meat the same day as it’s cooked and picked for ultimate freshness. The crab should be kept chilled with ice packs and insulated packaging. Expect to pay around $30-$60 for overnight shipped jumbo lump crab depending on weight.

Buying crab meat online is perfect when you need it quickly or want it shipped as a gift. Reputable sellers like Seattle Fish Company guarantee your satisfaction.

Consider Pasteurized Crab Meat for Longer Shelf Life

Pasteurized crab meat has been heat treated to kill bacteria which gives it a longer shelf life. Brands like Colossal Crab and Blue Star Crab offer high-quality pasteurized jumbo and super lump crab meat available for delivery.

While not quite as fresh tasting as non-pasteurized crab, pasteurized has a refrigerated shelf life around 4-6 months. The special packing also makes pasteurized crab ideal for shipping as gifts. Just check the use by date on the container upon arrival.

Tips for Picking Out Premium Fresh Crab Meat

Now that you know the best places to buy fresh crab meat, here are some tips for picking out the highest quality crab:

• Choose lump or jumbo lump – This indicates larger chunks of body and claw meat. Avoid crab labeled “special” which often has smaller pieces.

• Inspect the color – Fresh crab meat should have a natural white to off-white color. Avoid yellow or brownish meat.

• Check for shell fragments – Higher quality crab is meticulously picked through to remove all shell pieces.

• Give it a smell test – Fresh crab has a sweet aroma. If it smells fishy or ammonia-like, pass on it.

• Ask how recently it was cooked and picked – Ideally within 24 hours for absolute freshness.

• Know your crab species – Blue crab and king crab are among the most prized. Snow and Dungeness have great flavor too.

• Consider sustainably caught sources – Ask where the crab came from and how it was caught or harvested.

With this guide, you now have all the info you need to find and purchase incredibly fresh and delicious crab meat straight from the source near you. Get ready for amazing crab cakes, crab dip, seafood pasta with crab, and so much more.