Crab meat is a delicious and versatile seafood ingredient that can elevate so many dishes. Whether you’re looking to make crab cakes, crab dip, seafood pasta, or just enjoy crab meat on its own, having access to high-quality lump crab meat is key. But where exactly can you buy fresh, high-quality lump crab meat? I’ve done the research to find the best places to buy lump crab meat, so you can skip the guesswork and get right to cooking.
What is Lump Crab Meat?
Before diving into where to buy it, let’s quickly cover what exactly lump crab meat is. Lump crab meat refers to the larger chunks of body meat from blue crabs. This white meat comes from the body and claws of steamed crabs and is prized for its sweet flavor and tender, flaky texture.
Lump crab meat is different from jumbo lump crab meat in that the pieces are slightly smaller. Jumbo lump consists of the very largest chunks from the body. Meanwhile, backfin crab meat contains smaller pieces and shredded body meat. Claw crab meat comes from the claws and legs and has a stronger crab flavor.
No matter what type you choose fresh crab meat is cooked and then hand-picked with the shells and cartilage carefully removed. This delicate process preserves those coveted large pieces while ensuring quality.
Where to Buy Fresh Lump Crab Meat
Now that you know what lump crab meat is, where should you look to buy it fresh? Here are some of the best places to buy premium lump crab meat:
Local Fish Markets or Seafood Shops
One of the best ways to get high-quality, fresh lump crab meat is to visit a local fish market or specialty seafood shop. Look for a reputable seller known for their fresh selection. Ask questions about where they source their crab and when it was picked. This will help ensure you’re getting the freshest possible meat.
The benefit of buying lump crab meat from a local fish market is you can see, touch, and smell the product before purchasing. And you can get exactly the amount you need rather than being stuck with a set package size.
Online Direct from Crab Suppliers
Another excellent option is to buy lump crab meat online directly from suppliers like Washington Crab Company. Buying directly from crab suppliers eliminates the middleman, so you can get fresh-picked crab meat shipped straight to your door.
Reputable suppliers like Washington Crab Company pride themselves on hand-picking crab meat and quickly chilling it to preserve freshness Ordering online means you can enjoy lump crab meat from premier harvest areas like the North Carolina coast no matter where you live And you can order exactly how much you need,
According to their website, Washington Crab Company steam crabs the same day they’re caught for optimal freshness. They offer jumbo lump, lump, and claw crab meat packed with ice in reusable containers to keep it chilled during express delivery. Their crab meat comes from blue crabs harvested in the Pamlico Sound in North Carolina. This region is renowned for its high-quality blue crabs thanks to the brackish waters where river meets sea.
Grocery Stores and Markets
Lump crab meat can also be found in the fresh seafood section of many grocery stores. Retailers like Whole Foods sell pre-packaged containers of fresh lump crab meat. This provides convenience while still ensuring you get tasty, high-quality crab.
According to their website, Whole Foods carries pasteurized jumbo lump crab meat from Pontchartrain Blue Crab in 8 oz containers. The crab meat is procured from U.S. Atlantic waters. While not as direct-from-source as buying from a dedicated crab supplier, this allows you to add lump crab meat easily to your regular shopping trip.
No matter where you buy it, inspect lump crab meat carefully before purchasing. It should have a fresh sea smell free of ammonia odors, which indicate spoilage. The crab meat should look moist and white, with visible large chunks throughout. Discolored or stringy meat means it’s past its prime.
Tips for Cooking with Lump Crab Meat
Once you’ve sourced some delicious lump crab meat, you’ll want to handle it with care to keep it in prime condition for your recipes. Here are some tips:
- Keep lump crab meat chilled until ready to use, either in the fridge or on ice.
- Avoid breaking up the lumps too much when incorporating into recipes. Gentle folding preserves those coveted chunks.
- Add crab meat at the very end of cooking for hot preparations to prevent overcooking.
- For cold preparations like crab salad or dip, drain any excess liquid first so the meat doesn’t get soggy.
- Resist overseasoning or overpowering the delicate crab flavor. A squeeze of lemon and sprinkle of Old Bay are perfect complements.
- Crab meat pairs wonderfully with fresh herbs like dill, chives, basil, and tarragon.
With fresh, high-quality lump crab meat and a light hand when cooking, you can let the sweet crab flavor shine. Some of my favorite recipes to try are crab cakes, crab stuffed mushrooms, crab salad stuffed avocados, crab bisque, and crab toast. The possibilities are endless once you have access to delicious lump crab meat straight from the source.
The Bottom Line on Buying Lump Crab Meat
Lump crab meat is a sweet and tender seafood delicacy that every home cook should have in their arsenal. While you can buy it pre-packaged from grocery stores for convenience, I recommend seeking out fresh lump crab meat from local fish markets, specialty suppliers online, or direct from crab harvesters. This ensures you get the highest quality lump crab possible to take your cooking to the next level. Handle the crab meat gently when preparing recipes to preserve those tasty chunks. With fresh lump crab meat and a delicate touch, you can create amazing seafood dishes that highlight the natural flavor. So get cracking and order some lump crab meat today! Your tastebuds will thank you.
What Makes Culinary Reserve Crab Meat the Best?
Our premium line of pasteurized Blue Swimming Crab meat was created to meet the highest standards of seafood excellence. Our customers prefer Culinary Reserve for its sweet, clean, buttery flavor and delicate, flaky texture.
Our crabs are responsibly wild-caught from the Indonesian Spice Islands. Live crabs are steamed immediately, which is the key to our premium quality. The crab meat is then 100% hand-picked, immediately chilled, and pasteurized under the strictest quality control standards.
In addition, we regularly micro-test our crab meat to guarantee food safety.
Our high-quality packaging protects product integrity and increases shelf life. Shelf life for culinary reserve crab meat is 12 months under proper refrigeration.
All of these quality commitments make a difference to maximizing the flavor, freshness, and texture. While we can list reasons all day long, we encourage you to taste the difference for yourself. It’s a tender, buttery flavor experience that most other brands can’t replicate. Plus, our dedication to long-term sustainability ensures you can enjoy your crab meat with confidence and a clean conscience.
Check out the video below to learn more about what makes the Indonesian Blue Swimming Crab unique.
Culinary Reserve Super Lump Crab Meat
Super Lump Crab Meat consists of: Smaller and broken pieces of jumbo lump, with large flakes included.
Best Used For: Super lump is best when going “high end” is the goal! Super Lump crab meat is excellent in crab cakes, dips, salads, and casseroles. Also, it makes for a beautiful presentation as a stuffing for fish, chicken, vegetables, or seafood.
Super Lump Crab Meat Recipe Suggestion: Baked Crab Cake Bites (view here). These 1 oz. mini crab cakes are absolutely perfect for a delectable party hors doeuvres. Serve with a small dollop of Sriracha Mayo aioli and plenty of toothpicks!
Chicken of the Sea Lump Crab meat Costco! #lumpcrab #chickenofthesea #crabmeat #costco #costcofinds
FAQ
What is the difference between crab meat and lump crab meat?
Lump crab meat typically comes from the crab’s body consisting of broken pieces of jumbo lump crab meat mixed with special grade crab meat. Lump crab meat has a firm texture and medium taste, making it a great choice for various dishes, including crab cakes, dips, salads, and more.
Does Whole Foods sell lump crab meat?
Lump Jumbo Crab Meat, 8 OZ at Whole Foods Market.
Do Walmart sell lump crab meat?
Phillips Foods Super Lump Crab Meat, 1 Pound — 6 per case. Majestic Blue Jumbo Crab Meat, 1 Pound can — 6 per Case.