Craving some fresh, delicious crab but not sure where to find it in your area? You’re not alone Many seafood lovers find themselves wondering, “Where can I buy good crab near me?” I’ve done the research to find the best places to purchase fresh, high-quality crab no matter where you live
How to Find Stores That Sell Live Crab Nearby
Looking to buy a live crab and cook it yourself? Here are some tips for finding retailers that sell live crab close to home
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Search online directories – Sites like Yelp allow you to search for keywords like “live crab” and filter by distance This is the easiest way to see all your local options at a glance
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Check international/seafood markets – Ethnic grocery stores and seafood markets are very likely to carry live crabs ready for cooking. An Asian or Hispanic market is a good bet.
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Look for fish markets – If you have any local fishmongers or seafood shops, they may sell live crab when it’s in season. Give them a call to ask.
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See if your local grocery store has a tank – Some larger chain groceries will have live seafood tanks, usually near the fresh fish counter. Check here for Dungeness, blue crab, etc.
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Ask at the docks – If you live near a fishing port, the boats may sell live crab right off the dock after a day’s catch.
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Order online for delivery – Many seafood companies now offer overnight delivery of live crabs. This is handy if local options are limited.
Where to Buy Fresh Cooked Crab Meat Nearby
Want to skip the work of cooking live crab yourself? Here’s how to find pre-cooked fresh crab close by:
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Check seafood markets – Quality fishmongers will often cook and pick crab meat fresh daily. You can buy it chilled and ready to eat.
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Look for “crab shacks” – Casual crab restaurants in coastal areas will frequently sell containers of their homemade crab meat to go.
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See if grocery stores have a fresh case – The seafood counter at nicer groceries may have containers of fresh-cooked crab meat from their kitchen.
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Order online – Companies like Pure Food Fish Market ship overnight nationwide. Their crab is cooked, picked, and flash-frozen at peak freshness.
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Check restaurant menus – Many high-end restaurants serve fresh crab. Call ahead to see if they’ll sell you some to take home.
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Visit warehouse stores – Retailers like Costco sometimes carry fresh-cooked crab, depending on location and season.
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Find a local crab processing company – Coastal states like Maryland have companies dedicated to cooking and picking crab meat.
What Types of Crab Are Available?
Here are some of the most common crab varieties you can buy:
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Dungeness – From the Pacific coast; sweet, tender meat perfect for salads and dip. In season winter.
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King – Full flavor and large chunks/flakes. Legs are most popular. Available year-round.
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Snow – Tasty, affordable legs and clusters. Good for entrees, appetizers. Available year-round.
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Blue – Prized for its sweet, delicate meat. Perfect for crab cakes. In season spring through fall.
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Stone – Firm texture and sweet taste. Great for dips, soups, stuffing. Available year-round.
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Soft shell – A delicacy eaten whole. Crunchy texture when fried. Available sporadically in spring/summer.
What Forms Does Crab Come In?
Here are some of the ways you can buy crab:
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Live – Whole crabs that are active/moving. Need to be cooked.
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Fresh meat – Raw meat that’s been removed from the shells. Usually sold chilled.
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Lump/backfin meat – Large chunks from the body. Most premium form.
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Jumbo lump – Largest chunks from jumbo crab. Very high quality.
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Claw meat – Meat from the claws. Slightly firmer texture.
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Leg clusters – Sections of leg meat left connected.
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Pre-cooked meat – Fresh meat that’s been cooked/picked. Ready to eat.
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Pasteurized meat – Pre-cooked meat that is shelf-stable. Sold in cans/jars.
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Frozen legs/clusters – Flash frozen at sea to preserve freshness.
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Crab cakes – Lump or jumbo lump meat blended into patties and cooked.
Tips for Picking and Storing Crab
Follow these guidelines when selecting and storing fresh crab:
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For live crabs, choose active ones that are moving and have all their legs. Discard any with an unpleasant odor.
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Pre-cooked meat should have a fresh, briny smell. Avoid any with a fishy or ammonia odor.
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Fresh crab meat should be translucent white, not yellowish. Brown or yellow spots indicate oxidation.
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Cooked crab will keep 2-3 days in the fridge. Freeze for longer storage. Thaw overnight in fridge.
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Live crabs should be kept cold – ideally between 38-42°F. Cook within 12 hours of purchasing for best flavor.
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Don’t freeze live crabs prior to cooking, as this can diminish texture and taste. Cook first.
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Store pasteurized crab meat unopened in the pantry up to a year. Refrigerate after opening.
Following these simple guidelines will help ensure you always have delicious, high-quality crab on hand! Let this guide point you to the best places to buy delectable fresh crab meat close to home.
The best-tasting fresh seafood can be found at Pure Food Fish Market. Fresh crab can be ordered online now and delivered tomorrow!
Pure Food Fish Market is home to the worlds best-tasting fresh seafood in Seattles iconic Pike Place Market. Not only are we open for in-person pick-up for Seattle locals, but you can order fresh crab with overnight delivery right to your door for parties, special occasions, or a delicious everyday meal. So order your fresh crab today and be able to enjoy it tomorrow – that indeed is the Pure Food Fish Market way!
Jumbo! Whole Dungeness Crab Online
No other fresh crab can compare to the indescribably juicy taste of the Dungeness crab. So why have just part of this delicious fresh crab when you can have it all? Pure Food Fish Market offers jumbo whole Dungeness crab online for you to enjoy. Enjoy it fresh when in season and flash froze all year round. Our whole Dungeness crabs are pre-cooked, ready to enjoy, chilled, or gently steamed to the right warmth. This fancy jumbo whole Dungeness crab will never disappoint, which is a promise.
Fresh Dungeness Crab Meat
Fresh Dungeness crab meat from Pure Food Fish Market is the best of both worlds, and here is why. Not only do you get the unbeatable flavor of the Dungeness crab, but you also get it without all the work! Our fresh Dungeness crab meat is a ready-to-serve food that can be enjoyed in any way you choose. Try our Dungeness crab meat on crackers for an appetizer, perhaps on top of your favorite salad, or even as the main course. No matter how you enjoy it, the Dungeness crab meat from Pure Food Fish Market is sure to be one of your new favorites.
Jumbo Fancy Red King Crab Legs
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any bigger and better, we went, and it did! These extra sizeable fancy King crab legs contain the melt-in-your-mouth fresh crab meat you have longed for. Our jumbo fancy Red King crab legs are certainly no exception to the idea that fresh crab meat from the legs is even better! These are enormous legs you can buy, and the flavors you can get from them are even bigger and bolder! So enjoy your juicy, fresh Red King crab legs by ordering through Pure Food Fish Market!
20 Pound Case of Jumbo Fancy Red King Crab Legs
Everyone knows that buying in bulk is best, so Pure Food Fish Market is proud to offer a 20-pound case of jumbo fancy Red King crab legs for you and all of your friends and family members to enjoy! These King crab legs are a delicacy and revered among seafood lovers as the creme de la creme. So grab a 20-pound case of jumbo fancy Red King crab legs today by ordering online through Pure Food Fish Market!
King Crab Claws
Nothing entirely stands up to the King Crab Claws from Pure Food Fish Market. These King Crab Claws are succulent, sweet, and ready to be devoured! With just one bite, you will see why these flash frozen crab claws are a favorite for many seafood lovers worldwide. So enjoy your King Crab Claws from Pure Food Fish Market today with our nationwide shipping!
Jumbo Alaskan Snow Crab Clusters
Jumbo Alaskan Snow crab clusters – need we say more? These succulent jumbo Alaskan Snow crab clusters from Pure Food Fish Market are simply exploding with flavor as you have never experienced before. Dip them in warm butter for an incomparable taste you will love every time. Try out our jumbo Alaskan Snow crab clusters online today!
Crab Lovers
Calling all you fresh crab lovers! We have put together the perfect crab lovers package for you to enjoy all of your favorites. This fresh crab lovers package includes 2 pounds of Kodiak Alaskan King crab legs, two jumbo Dungeness crabs, and a complimentary jar of Pure Food Fish Market’s cajun cocktail sauce. It is a fresh crab experience like never before! So don’t miss out on this Crab Lovers package from Pure Food Fish Market that you can order from the comfort of your own home.
Fancy Red King Crab Parts
Where can you enjoy the highest quality, best tasting fancy Red King crab at a fraction of the regular price? Well, only at Pure Food Fish Market, of course! We offer fancy Red King crab parts so anyone can enjoy even the most delicate crab meat. It is the same great-tasting King Crab meat you know and love, broken into smaller pieces. So devour some fancy Red King crab parts from Pure Food Fish Market today!
Fresh Alaskan Snow Crab Picks
The delicious fresh crab options just keep on coming! Give these fresh Alaskan Snow crab picks from Pure Food Fish Market for seafood finger food as you have never had before! Buy crab from Pure Food Fish Market today!
Gourmet Dungeness crab Cakes
You may have thought that gourmet Dungeness crab cakes were challenging to come by and even harder to prepare – well, not anymore! Pure Food Fish Market offers gourmet Dungeness crab cakes, seasoned and trained to perfection, that are then sent right to your door! So order your gourmet Dungeness crab cakes today and indulge tomorrow!
Alaskan Snow Crab Parts
The Alaskan Snow crab parts from Pure Food Fish Market are another excellent way to enjoy your favorite seafood at a fraction of the price. Order some Alaskan Snow crab parts to enjoy today!
Fancy Crab
Pure Food Fish Market offers only the best selection of fresh crab. Our fresh crab is fresh, full of flavor, cooked, and flash frozen for freshness (except for in-season Dungeness crab) on the boats, and quickly ready to enjoy! And if that was not enough, it is swiftly and conveniently delivered right to your doorstep, so you can enjoy your fresh crab whenever possible! So check out the full selection of fancy crab from Pure Food Fish Market and choose all your favorites today!
$28.95 for All You Can Eat Crawfish, Soft-Shell Blue Crab, Oysters & More @ House of Seafood Buffet
FAQ
What is the best month to buy crabs?
1. When is the best time to buy Dungeness crab? The peak season is typically from December through March, when crabs are at their freshest and most abundant. 2.Jan 24, 2025
When can you buy fresh crab?
When are crabs in season? Generally from April to November.
How much is a pound of crab usually?
As of 2024, the king crab price per pound typically ranges between $30 and $60, depending on the size, quality, and where it’s purchased. These prices reflect the costs for the red king crab variety, which is the most commonly consumed and highly prized.
Is Costco crab ready to eat?
Commercially caught crab legs are all cooked and then flash frozen immediately after the crabs are caught, sometimes right on the boat or as soon as they’re brought in to the docks. All you can eat crab legs at a seafood restaurant are the same as you find in your grocery store.