Crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat that many people love to enjoy. However, finding fresh crab legs near you can sometimes be a challenge. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where and how you can buy high-quality crab legs close to home.
What Are Crab Legs?
Crab legs come from crabs and contain the sweet succulent meat within the legs and claws. The most popular varieties used for crab legs are king crab and snow crab. King crab legs are larger with a sweeter flavor, while snow crab legs are smaller with a more delicate taste. Crab legs are sold pre-cooked or raw, fresh or frozen.
Why Should You Buy Crab Legs?
There are many great reasons to buy crab legs
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Crab legs are absolutely delicious – the sweet flavor of the crab meat is unmatched. Many people consider them a delicacy.
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They make an impressive entree for special occasions and dinner parties. Serving crab legs feels lavish and indulgent.
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Pre-cooked crab legs are easy to prepare. Just thaw and serve!
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Crab legs are a great source of lean protein as well as important nutrients like zinc, copper, and selenium.
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Trying new seafood like crab legs helps support sustainable fishing practices.
Where to Buy Crab Legs
Local Fish Markets
Visiting a local fish market or seafood store is a great option for finding fresh crab legs near you. Many independent fish markets sell a variety of fresh seafood, including raw crab legs. Depending on your location, you may be able to find king crab, snow crab, or other regional crab varieties.
The benefit of shopping at a local fish market is you can inspect the freshness and quality of the crab legs in person. The fishmonger can also provide cooking recommendations and advice for preparing them.
National Seafood Chains
Large national chains like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Whole Foods often stock fresh and frozen crab legs. This offers convenience and flexible options for buying crab legs.
The benefit of national retailers is consistent inventory and quality. However, the downside can be fewer varieties available compared to a dedicated local fish market. Always check the source information and production dates when buying seafood from a big retailer.
Online Seafood Shops
Ordering crab legs online through e-commerce shops and delivery services has become popular for getting high-quality seafood shipped right to your door. Online seafood companies sell fresh crab legs packed with dry ice for nationwide delivery.
Buying crab legs online allows you to shop from fish markets and fisheries around the country. Look for companies that clearly state the source location and harvest dates for their crab legs. This ensures you’re getting the freshest catch.
What to Look for When Buying Crab Legs
Follow these tips when shopping for crab legs:
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Look for vibrant color – Crab leg shell and meat color can range from red to light pink depending on the variety. Avoid legs that look dull or grayish.
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Give them a sniff – Fresh crab legs have a pleasant, mild seafood odor. Pass on any with a fishy or ammonia smell.
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Check for firmness – Meat should feel firm and spring back when touched, not mushy.
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Watch the movement – Live crab and legs may move slightly. Discard any with minimal movement.
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Read the label – Look for Alaska as the source for king crab. Snow crab comes from Alaska and Atlantic Canada.
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Check the price – Lower prices may indicate older stock or questionable freshness. Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.
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Know the types – King, snow, and Dungeness are among the most common varieties. Know what you’re getting.
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Consider sustainability – Ask where the crab legs come from and how they were caught. Choose responsible sources when possible.
How to Store Crab Legs
Proper storage preserves freshness and shelf life. Follow these guidelines:
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Keep live crab legs in a ventilated container in the refrigerator. Use within 2 days.
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Store raw, uncooked legs on ice or in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Use within 3 days.
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Place cooked crab legs in an airtight container and keep for up to 4 days refrigerated.
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Freeze uncooked legs up to 3 months. Wrap in plastic and foil to prevent freezer burn.
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Cooked crab legs can be frozen for up to 2 months for best quality.
How to Prepare Crab Legs
While intimidating, preparing crab legs is quite simple:
Steaming
Steaming is a popular cooking method that yields tender meat. Simply place legs in a steamer basket over boiling water for 4-8 minutes until heated through. Drizzle with melted butter and enjoy!
Boiling
Boil crab legs for 4-5 minutes until the shell turns bright red. Drain and serve with drawn butter or other dipping sauces.
Baking
For baked crab legs, spread on a sheet pan and cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. Turn legs over and bake 5 more minutes until hot and bubbly.
Grilling
Grilling lends delicious charred flavor. Place legs flesh-side down on a hot grill for 2 minutes. Flip and grill 2-3 more minutes until lightly charred.
Enjoy Your Crab Legs!
Our Selection Spans From Coast To Coast
At Maine Lobster Now, we meticulously curate our crab category into distinct East and West coast selections, ensuring a diverse range of options to suit every palate. From the West Coast, we proudly source the majority of our Red and Golden King Crab, along with our Bairdi snow crab clusters, snow crab cocktail claws, snow crab leg meat and, of course, our delectable Dungeness crab clusters. Are you a “West” coast crab fan? Look no further than our ever going selection and shop now as these hot ticket items dont last long!
Domestic Alaskan Snow Crab
The two primary species of snow crab are the Opilio crab (Chionoecetes opilio) and the Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi). These species are often collectively referred to as snow crab, and they are harvested for their sweet and delicate meat, primarily in the northern Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea. Both Opilio and Tanner crabs are popular seafood choices known for their delicious flavor and versatility in various culinary dishes.
How To Get Meat Out of Snow Crab Legs – Easy and Fast
FAQ
Where’s a good place to get crab legs?
- All “Crab Legs” results near me in Los Angeles, California – July 2025.
- Niku X. 4.5 (2.2k reviews) …
- Oh My Crab. 3.8 (445 reviews) …
- L.A. Crazy Crab. 4.5 (136 reviews) …
- The Boiling Crab. …
- Gourmet City Seafood Buffet. …
- The Crabby Crab. …
- Umi Hotpot Sushi & Seafood Buffet.
What is a good price for crab legs per pound?
Jumbo king crab legs can sell for $60 or more per pound, while smaller legs and clusters may cost less.
Should I buy fresh or frozen crab legs?
The biggest advantage of fresh crab is its superior flavor. Freshly caught and cooked crab offers a sweet, briny taste that is unmatched by its frozen counterpart. For special occasions or seafood feasts, fresh crab is often the preferred choice.
How many is 1lb of crab legs?
Our King Crab Legs and Claws are smaller, but have an amazing sweetness. Fully cooked ready to heat. One pound will yield 4-5 legs.
Where can I buy crab legs?
Buy your favorite Crab Legs And Clusters online with Instacart. Order Crab Legs And Clusters from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours. Are crab legs expensive?
What should I look for when buying crab legs?
When purchasing crab legs, look for seafood that is sustainably caught. Different organizations, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), provide certifications for sustainable seafood. 8. Are there any health considerations when consuming crab legs? Crab legs are a good source of protein, healthy fats, and essential minerals.
Does Whole Foods sell red king crab legs?
The information provided on this website should not be relied upon to make health-related decisions. Find SEAFOOD Red King Crab Legs at Whole Foods Market. Get nutrition, ingredient, allergen, pricing and weekly sale information!
Where do crab legs come from?
Crab legs typically come from either king crabs or snow crabs, as the other types of crabs are smaller and, therefore, sold whole. King crab legs offer the most meat, but snow crab legs have meat that’s a little sweeter. Although crab legs are seasonal, you can usually find them in the supermarket all year long.
When is the best time to buy crab legs?
To get the best price on crab legs, try to time your shopping around peak crab seasons. King crab legs from Alaska have a short season from October to January when fishermen harvest the famous red crab. For snow crab legs, look for sales in late spring when new-season crab from Canada enters the market.
Are crab legs fresh or precooked?
It’s also important to note that you can get crab legs that are either fresh or precooked. If you go with the precooked version, you can rest assured that the meat will taste just as good as fresh crab legs. Fishers immediately cook the crab legs on the boat and then flash freeze them to lock in their freshness.