Where to Buy Live Dungeness Crab Near Me

Dungeness crab is a popular seafood delicacy cherished for its sweet, succulent meat. While you can often find pre-cooked Dungeness crab meat at the grocery store, there’s nothing quite like preparing a fresh, live crab yourself. If you’re wondering where to find live Dungeness crab near you, this guide will point you in the right direction.

What is Dungeness Crab?

Named after a small town in Washington state Dungeness crab is found along the west coast of North America from Alaska to California. It gets its name from the sandy flats of Dungeness Spit on the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Sequim, Washington where it is abundant.

Dungeness crab have a reddish-brown shell and claws, and their meat is considered sweeter and meatier compared to other crab varieties. Their peak season is from November through June. Due to their delicate flavor, Dungeness crabs are often enjoyed steamed or boiled and served chilled with melted butter or cocktail sauce.

Buying Live vs Pre-Cooked Dungeness Crab

Pre-cooked Dungeness crab can be convenient, but live crabs ensure the freshest taste and texture. With live crabs, you control the cooking process so you can perfectly time it to your meal. Live crabs are also economical since you pay per pound for the entire crab versus just the meat.

When buying live Dungeness crab, look for crabs that are active and have all their limbs. Their shells should feel firm and heavy for their size. Make sure the crab is still alive before purchasing it.

Where to Buy Live Dungeness Crab

You have a few options when sourcing live Dungeness crab in your area:

Local Seafood Markets

Your best bet for finding live Dungeness crab is to check with local seafood markets and fishmongers. Let them know you are looking for live crab, and they can direct you to days they expect fresh shipments and keep some on reserve for you.

High-quality seafood markets are also experts at selecting the best specimens, and they often sell crab by the pound for the best value.

Restaurant Fish Tanks

Some sushi restaurants and seafood restaurants showcase live Dungeness crab and other seafood in fish tanks. Ask if they are willing to sell anything from their tank. They likely won’t advertise this, but some places will pack up a live crab for you to take home.

Online Seafood Delivery Services

Ordering live seafood online has become more commonplace. Companies like Seattle Fish Company, Lobster Anywhere, and James Hook Lobster ship live Dungeness crab overnight to many locations. Order before 12 PM for next day delivery. Rates range from $30-$60 per crab depending on the source and shipping distance.

Local Fishermen

If you live in a coastal community, getting live crab right off the fishing boats is a great option. Check local listings for Dungeness crab fishermen selling live catch. You’ll get the freshest crab for a good price, and you’ll be supporting local fishermen.

Asian Markets

Many Asian supermarkets sell live seafood like crabs, lobster, clams and fish. Check the seafood section or ask a clerk when their next Dungeness crab shipment arrives. These tend to cost a bit less than other seafood markets.

Tips for Transporting Live Crab

Once you secure some live Dungeness crabs, you need to get them home safely:

• Keep them cold – Transport crabs in a cooler with ice packs. Avoid direct contact between the ice and crabs.

• Use breathable material – Line the cooler with newspaper or seaweed to allow air circulation. Avoid sealing them in plastic bags.

• Keep them moist – Lightly dampen some newspaper over the crabs to keep their gills from drying out.

• Cook them soon – Try to cook the crabs the same day purchased for optimal freshness. They can survive 1-2 days stored properly.

• Watch for movement – Some leg movement is normal, but minimize disturbances during transport.

Cooking Your Live Dungeness Crab

Once home, it’s time to prep and enjoy your catch! Here are some cooking tips:

• Clean the crab – Rinse off debris and remove the triangular “apron” on the underside.

• Boil in salted water or seafood seasoning – About 15 minutes for 1-1.5 lb crabs.

• Chill before cracking – For easier meat extraction, chill for 30-60 minutes after boiling.

• Twist off legs and claws – Use crab cracker or small hammer to open shell and access meat.

• Scoop out body meat – Use a small fork or crab pick to pull delicious meat from body cavity.

• Savor the sweetness! Dip in melted butter, use in seafood pasta, sandwiches, crab cakes and more.

Finding Dungeness Crab Near Me

Dungeness crab is a Pacific Northwest specialty enjoyed by seafood lovers across the country. With so many sources available for live crab, you can now partake in this regional delicacy no matter where you live.

Getting freshly cooked Dungeness crab straight from the source is an amazing culinary experience. Hopefully this guide gives you some ideas on where to buy live Dungeness crab near you and how to prepare it. Let your taste buds delight in the sweet rewards of this classic seafood.

The price of 1 lb of Dungeness crab meat can vary, but it generally ranges from $50 to $70.