Red Lobster’s annual Crab Fest is a highly anticipated culinary event for seafood lovers across the country With dozens of crab-centric dishes and deals, it’s the perfect opportunity to indulge in tender, succulent crabmeat As we look ahead to Crab Fest 2023, here’s a comprehensive guide on what to expect from this limited-time seafood spectacular.
What is Crab Fest at Red Lobster?
Crab Fest is a seasonal promotion at Red Lobster restaurants that typically takes place in the summertime. It features an array of crab-based dishes incorporating fresh crab sourced from fisheries around the world. From appetizers and entrées to sides and desserts the Crab Fest menu offers diverse ways to enjoy the briny sweetness of crab. It’s the ideal time of year for crab enthusiasts to get their fill.
Some perennial favorites include the Crab Lover’s Dream – a hearty platter with snow crab legs, lobster tail and fried shrimp – and Lobster and Crab Cakes served with garlic shrimp scampi. New selections are also introduced each year to keep things fresh and exciting. Past additions have included Crab Topped Cod, Chilled Crab and Shrimp Salad, and Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp.
When is Crab Fest at Red Lobster in 2023?
Based on prior years, Red Lobster’s Crab Fest typically takes place for 4-6 weeks in July and August.
In 2023, we can expect Crab Fest to occur sometime between:
- Early to mid July through late August
- Late June through early September
The exact 2023 dates haven’t been formally announced yet. However, judging from previous Crab Fests, late July or early August is likely. As soon as Red Lobster confirms the 2023 schedule, we’ll update this guide.
What’s on the Menu for Crab Fest 2023?
While the 2023 menu won’t be finalized until closer to launch, we can make some educated guesses based on recent years.
Popular repeats like Snow Crab Legs, Crab Linguini Alfredo, and Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp will almost certainly make a return appearance. As for new items, we may see dishes highlighting king crab, Dungeness crab, or blue crab in creative preparations.
Some potential new menu items could include:
- King crab cakes with lemon aioli
- Dungeness crab rolls on brioche buns
- Blue crab and corn chowder
- Cajun blackened red fish with crabmeat stuffing
- Crab beignets with brandy dipping sauce
Red Lobster also tends to offer at least one limited-edition cocktail, so a crab-inspired libation could join the 2023 Crab Fest menu.
Will There Be Special Deals During 2023 Crab Fest?
Yes, Red Lobster usually offers tempting deals and discounts during Crab Fest to reel in hungry customers.
In the past, they’ve promoted:
- All-you-can-eat crab deals
- Bonus crab add-ons for free or at a discount
- Discounted crab entrées
- Free app or dessert with purchase of a crab entrée
- Limited-time $15 and $25 crab meal deals
While the exact 2023 promotions haven’t been confirmed yet, we can probably expect some appetizing bargains on crab dishes when Crab Fest rolls around.
How Long Does Crab Fest Last?
Crab Fest typically runs for 4-6 weeks, making it a nice balance of being limited-time but not too short.
Past Crab Fests have lasted:
- 5 weeks (in 2018, 2020, 2021)
- 6 weeks (in 2017, 2019)
- 4 weeks (in 2022)
For Crab Fest 2023, we can plan on it sticking around for about a month or so. This gives plenty of time to reap the rewards!
Tips for Enjoying Crab Fest
To make the most of Red Lobster’s 2023 Crab Fest, keep these tips in mind:
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Arrive early or make reservations – Crab Fest draws big crowds, so plan ahead to avoid long waits. Making reservations is highly recommended.
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Come hungry – With so many tempting crab dishes to choose from, you’ll want to have ample room in your stomach. Don’t overdo lunch that day.
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Pace yourself – Crab is rich, so take your time and don’t overwhelm your palate. Savor each decadent bite.
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Ask about off-menu specials – Sometimes crabtastic surprises don’t make it onto the printed menu. Ask your server about any unadvertised crab items.
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Pair crab with crisp, acidic wines – Crab screams out for a bright, vibrant wine. Opt for Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis, or Champagne.
The Bottom Line
For crab lovers across America, Red Lobster’s Crab Fest is the culinary highlight of the summer. We expect Crab Fest 2023 to take place for 4-6 weeks likely between late July and late August. While we await exact dates and menu details, anticipation is already building for this epic seafood event. With indulgent crab dishes galore and tempting deals, Crab Fest 2023 is sure to deliver on decadent flavor and fun. We’ll see you there!
New Crabfest menu at Red Lobster
For this years Crabfest, Red Lobster is offering two new Seafood Boils — Mariners Boil and Sailors Boil — which the restaurant has designed to be served tableside and can be customized with various flavor options.
The Mariners Boil features a Maine lobster tail, a dozen shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, and red potatoes, while the Sailors Boil is a mix of shrimp, smoked sausage, corn and red potatoes.
Diners can choose to finish either order with Roasted Garlic Butter, Cajun Butter, or Old Bay seasoning.
New dishes featuring crab include the Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms, an appetizer with crab stuffing; Crab-Topped Asparagus, a premium side dish; Crab-Topped Potato, another premium side dish; Steak Oscar, a sirloin topped with lump crab meat in a cream sauce; and Salmon Oscar, an Atlantic salmon filet topped with lump crab meat in cream sauce.
There are also three new beverages for the Festival Summer of Sips menu.
– The Headliner: Purple Haze by Dre & Snoop, featuring STILL G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop, desert pear, handcrafted lemonade and sparkling gold shimmer.
– Opening Act: Passion Star Spritz, featuring Titos Handmade Vodka and passionfruit, topped with Wycliff Sparkling Wine and garnished with a gold-dusted dried starfruit.
– Encore: Starry Eyed Surprise, featuring Patron Silver Tequila, guava and blue Curaçao, topped with Starry Lemon-Lime and garnished with a sugar sprinkles rimmer.
When is Red Lobster Crabfest?
Crabfest is available for a limited time from June 23 through Sept. 14.
Crack open Reel Happiness at Crabfest®
FAQ
What day is crab Leg Day at Red Lobster?
Snow Crab Legs Tuesday – Steamed. A pound of steamed snow crab legs served over crispy potatoes with your choice of side.
What are the dates for lobsterfest at Red Lobster?
(February 11, 2025) – Red Lobster’s most legendary event of the year is back and bigger than ever. Lobsterfest® returns from February 11 through April 20, 2025, and this year, it’s not just great, it’s the GLOAT: The Greatest Lobsterfest of All Time.
How many crab legs are in a crab fest order?
Twenty pounds of crab may sound like a lot, but keep in mind that Alaska King Crab legs are about a pound each (and could be two feet long). One to two legs a person is a good estimate, depending on how hungry your guests are! Remember, you’ll also be supplementing the meal with side dishes.
What are the best dishes in Red Lobster’s Crabfest menu?
Snag an order of the Crab-Topped Asparagus or Crab-Topped Potato to really commit to the crabfest vibes. For those who love starting every restaurant meal with a delicious appetizer, the Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms are a perfect solution, combining earthy mushrooms with a rich and savory crab stuffing.
What’s new at Red Lobster’s Crabfest 2023?
Red Lobster’s Crabfest, starting June 5, 2023, allows customers to get a pound of crab legs with three new flavors – Roasted Garlic Butter, Honey Sriracha and Lemon Pepper. (Photo provided by Red Lobster) Red Lobster Seafood Co. Crabfest is back at Red Lobster along with three new flavor options, a new side, a new dessert and two new cocktails.
Does Red Lobster have a Crabfest?
Here’s how to save 50%. Crabfest at Red Lobster, back in 2023 after four years, includes three new crab flavor options, a new dessert and two new cocktails – Watermelon Martini and Ruby Mule. (Photo provided by Red Lobster Red Lobster Seafood Co.
When is Crab Fest 2024?
Crab Fest happens once a year, typically in early summer. In 2023, it ran from May 9th through July 3rd. The 2024 dates are June 6th to July 31st. Crab Fest usually lasts around 7-8 weeks, giving crab enthusiasts plenty of time to indulge. Red Lobster locations across the United States and Canada all participate. What is Crab Fest?
Is Flavor Flav coming to Crabfest 2024?
After Calling Red Lobster ‘One of America’s Greatest Dining Dynasties,’ Flavor Flav Makes It Known Crabfest Is Here to Stay Orlando, Fla. (June 6, 2024) – It’s flavor time! When longtime Red Lobster® fan Flavor Flav reaches out to rally fans, the only fitting response back is… Yeah Boyeeeee!
When did Red Lobster start Crab Fest?
Red Lobster first launched Crab Fest in 2012 after noticing growing customer obsession with crab. It started with a simple promotion of $15 unlimited snow crab legs on Mondays. Crab Fest as a multi-week event with expanded menu debuted in 2015. It has returned bigger each year since, adding more crab dishes annually.
Does Red Lobster have Flavor Flav?
Orlando, Fla. (June 6, 2024) – It’s flavor time! When longtime Red Lobster® fan Flavor Flav reaches out to rally fans, the only fitting response back is… Yeah Boyeeeee! Together, Red Lobster and Flavor Flav are letting fans everywhere know that Crabfest is back and when you gotta have seafood, you gotta have Red Lobster.