Where to Buy Jumbo Lump Crab Meat

Jumbo lump crab meat is considered the highest grade of crab meat available. It consists of large, intact chunks of white crab meat from the muscles connected to the swimming legs of the crab. Jumbo lump has a brilliant white color, velvety texture, and sweet, delicious flavor. It’s perfect for serving on its own, in crab cakes, seafood salads, dips, and more. But where can you buy this premium crab meat? Here are some of the best places to purchase fresh jumbo lump crab meat.

Online Seafood Retailers

One of the most convenient ways to buy jumbo lump crab meat is from online seafood retailers that ship it fresh directly to your door Two great options are

Cameron’s Seafood

Cameron’s is a family-owned company dedicated to supplying wild-caught Maryland crabs and seafood. They offer next-day shipping nationwide on their jumbo lump crab meat picked fresh daily from crabs caught in the Chesapeake Bay. It’s packaged in 1 pound containers and arrives chilled with gel ice packs. Cameron’s has excellent customer service and their lump crab is very competitively priced starting at $109.99 per pound.

Lithub

Lithub is a leading online sustainable seafood purveyor that partners with fishermen and processors to deliver premium seafood like jumbo lump crab. Their crab meat is hand selected, processed, and packed in 1 pound containers within hours along the Mid-Atlantic coastline. Lithub offers free overnight shipping on orders over $199 and their jumbo lump retails for $79.95 per pound.

Local Fish Markets

Visiting a local fish market or seafood store is a great option for picking out your own fresh jumbo lump crab meat Two top sources are

Jessup Seafood

Jessup is a family-owned Maryland seafood company with retail markets located throughout the Baltimore metro area. Their impressive fresh seafood counters offer jumbo lump crab meat picked and packed on-site as well as live crabs, oysters, and more. Jessup’s jumbo lump retails for around $34.99 per half pound.

The Lobster Place

This renowned seafood market located in Manhattan’s Chelsea Market offers jumbo lump crab meat freshly packed each day from their facility on the Chesapeake Bay. Their self-service seafood counter allows you to select your own 1⁄2 pound container of all natural preservative-free jumbo lump crab for $22.95.

High-End Grocer Seafood Counters

Many upscale grocery store chains have high-quality seafood counters that carry fresh jumbo lump crab meat. Two top options are:

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods seafood counters stock jumbo lump crab meat from trusted and responsible sources. It’s steamed, picked, and packed daily then delivered refrigerated to stores. You can find it sold in 8 oz containers for around $18.99 per pound. Select a container with your own eyes at the seafood counter.

Wegmans

This beloved East Coast grocery chain is renowned for their seafood departments. Their counters offer fresh jumbo lump crab meat brought in daily from the Chesapeake Bay and sold in 1⁄2 pound containers. Wegmans jumbo lump costs around $26.99 per pound.

Online Direct from Crab Processing Facilities

To buy crab meat straight from the source, you can order online directly from crab meat processing and packing facilities on the Chesapeake Bay:

J.M. Clayton Company

J.M. Clayton is one of the premier crab processors in Maryland. They pick fresh crab meat daily and ship it nationwide via their online store. Their jumbo lump crab meat costs $98 per pound.

Lindy’s Seafood

Family-owned Lindy’s processes crabs and picks crab meat by hand on Hooper’s Island in Maryland. You can order their jumbo lump crab meat for $84 per pound shipped overnight.

Tips for Buying Jumbo Lump Crab Meat

• Look for crab meat packed in the USA from domestic blue crabs rather than imported crab.

• Inspect the container and make sure the meat looks fresh with no discoloration or foul odor.

• Opt for retailers that pack the crab meat fresh daily like online vendors or quality fish/seafood markets. This ensures optimum freshness and flavor.

• Jumbo lump can be expensive, so consider buying smaller quantities like 1⁄2 pound at a time unless you plan to use it quickly.

• Store fresh jumbo lump meat in the coldest part of your refrigerator and use within 3-4 days for best quality. It also freezes well for longer term storage.

So for indulging in the sweetest, most tender jumbo lump crab meat, your best sources are online crab purveyors like Cameron’s Seafood, quality local fish markets, upscale grocery seafood counters, or directly from processors on the Chesapeake Bay. With these fresh options, you can enjoy jumbo lump crab any time.