Stone crab is a much-loved delicacy that is synonymous with Florida seafood. The sweet succulent meat makes stone crab claws a special treat. However high demand and a short harvest season from October to May means that quality stone crab can be difficult to find. This article will guide you on where to buy stone crab claws so you can enjoy this seasonal delicacy at its best.
An Overview of Stone Crab
Stone crab, whose scientific name is Menippe mercenaria, inhabits waters from North Carolina to Belize. However, the apex of stone crab fisheries is found in Florida, with the bulk of the harvest occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. Only the claws are harvested from stone crab, which allows the crabs to regenerate their claws and return to the ocean. This sustainable harvesting practice maintains healthy stone crab populations.
Stone crab claws are removed immediately after trapping and cooked onboard the boat to lock in freshness. The cooked claws are then chilled and graded according to size before going to market. The flavorful claws are served chilled with mustard sauce and can be eaten cold or briefly reheated.
Where to Buy Stone Crab Claws
You have several excellent options when buying stone crab claws
Direct from a Stone Crab Fishery
Purchasing directly from a stone crab fishery in Florida allows you to buy fresh-from-the-boat claws still bursting with sweet ocean flavor. The claws are super fresh since there are no middlemen involved. Expect to pay premium prices for this ultimate quality.
Some top fisheries that ship claws nationwide include:
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Key Largo Fisheries – Family-owned company located in the Florida Keys, Key Largo Fisheries has sustainably harvested stone crab since 1976. They offer a range of claw sizes shipped fresh or frozen.
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Joe’s Stone Crab – An iconic Miami Beach restaurant that ships its famous claws overnight nationwide. Available in medium, large, and jumbo sizes.
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Billy’s Stone Crab – This Hollywood, Florida, restaurant ships fresh claws nationwide. They offer medium, select, large, jumbo, and colossal claws.
From a Local Fish Market
A quality local fish market, especially one near water like a coastal town, is a good spot to buy fresh stone crab claws in season. You can inspect the claws for freshness and buy the exact quantity needed. This is a convenient option if you live near a source but cannot buy direct from the fishery.
Online Seafood Retailers
For ease and convenience, you can order stone crab claws online from leading seafood retailers and have them shipped overnight to your door. Online sources offer a wide variety of sizing options at various price points. However, shipping costs can be high for expedited delivery of perishable seafood.
Top online seafood companies for buying stone crab include:
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Goldbelly – This curated marketplace offers stone crab from iconic restaurants nationwide. You can order Joe’s Stone Crab claws or Maine lobster through Goldbelly.
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Sea to Table – Sustainable and traceable wild domestic seafood is their specialty. Sea to Table partners with small-scale U.S. fishermen.
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Lobster Anywhere – Provides premium lobster and other seafood like king crab legs and shrimp. They ship claws overnight from Florida in season.
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Fulton Fish Market – Offers fresh seafood and shellfish, including stone crab claws when available. Based in New York with nationwide delivery.
Frozen Claws
If fresh claws are unavailable, buying previously frozen premium-quality claws is a good option. Frozen at their peak, the claws will be flavorful and make a tasty dish after thawing using proper methods. Reputable companies like Key Largo Fisheries and Goldbelly sell frozen claws in the offseason.
What Size Claws Should You Buy?
Stone crab claws are graded by weight per claw. The general size classifications are:
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Medium – 1⁄4 lb to 3⁄4 lb, best for appetizers
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Select – 1⁄4 lb to 1 lb, multipurpose claws
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Large – 3⁄4 lb to 1 1⁄4 lb, standard serving claws
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Jumbo – Over 1 1⁄4 lb, larger portion or display claws
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Colossal – 2 lbs and up, monster claws over 7″
Larger claws make an impressive presentation, while smaller claws work well for platters. Allow 1 to 1 1⁄2 pounds of claws per diner.
Storing and Serving Stone Crab
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Store fresh claws chilled below 40 degrees F, ideally with ice. Thaw frozen claws overnight in the refrigerator.
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Briefly boil or steam claws to heat through. Crack shells using a mallet.
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Serve claws chilled or warm with melted butter and mustard sauce. Pair with chilled white wine.
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Refrigerate for up to 4 days fresh, 4-6 months frozen. Discard when meat becomes discolored.
Why You Should Buy Stone Crab
Beyond being a quintessential Florida delicacy, there are many excellent reasons to indulge in stone crab claws:
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Unique sweet, delicate flavor unlike any other crab
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Enjoyed cold or hot – versatile to prepare and serve
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Impressive presentation when serving jumbo or colossal claws
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Sustainable harvesting maintains healthy fisheries
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Short seasonal availability makes it a special treat
By following this guide on where to buy stone crab claws, you can take your seafood spread to the next level with this luxurious and tasty seafood. From fisheries to fish markets and online, quality fresh or frozen stone crab is attainable. Savor the sweetness!
Types of Stone Crabs
There are many different varieties of crab. The Florida stone crab is one variety, along with snow crab, king crab, Dungeness crab, and blue crab. While seafood lovers appreciate most types of crab for various reasons, stone crab is highly prized due to its sweet meat and light flavor. Even those who dont normally like shellfish taste will reach for stone crab, making it an excellent choice for your dinner party or special event.
Florida Stone Crab is one of our specialties at Billys Stone Crab. We offer the best stone crab price and value around. Humanely harvested and shipped nationwide, our stone crab claws are perfect for your next special event. We offer claw sizes from medium to colossal. Our medium stone crab claws are priced at $35 per pound and feature about 7 or 8 claws per pound, while our Select crab claws are $41 per pound and include about 6 or 7 claws per pound.
The Large stone crab claws are $47 per pound. You can expect to receive about 4 to 5 claws per pound with this selection. The Jumbo crab claws are priced at $65 per pound and include 3 to 4 claws per pound. The Collosal crab claws, great for large appetites, are $65 per pound and include about 2 claws per pound. You cant go wrong with whatever option you choose!
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The succulent, flavorful, and supremely decadent Florida stone crabs are fresh seafoods creme de la creme. Whether youre looking to cater a party at home for friends and family or planning on treating yourself to a luxurious feast, ordering stone crab is a way to enjoy this fabulous menu item with ease. Billys Stone Crab, a top seafood restaurant in Hollywood, Florida, offers stone crab for sale. Discover how to eat stone crab, how long to boil stone crab claws, and discover just how easy it is to order online with us.
Stone crabs are common in the North Atlantic, from Florida to Colombia. They are known for their sweet meat, which can be found by cracking the cooked shell. At Billys Stone Crab, we source our crab from the Gulf of Mexico, in the Florida Keys, and all along the West Coast of Florida. We proudly use safe, sustainable shipping practices so you can feel confident that you are ordering the best.
Is Joe’s Stone Crab Worth The Price?
FAQ
Where can I buy stone crab?
Whether you’re looking to cater a party at home for friends and family or planning on treating yourself to a luxurious feast, ordering stone crab is a way to enjoy this fabulous menu item with ease. Billy’s Stone Crab, a top seafood restaurant in Hollywood, Florida, offers stone crab for sale.
Where can I buy stone crab claws?
Holy Crab Delivery offers premium seafood, meat, and stone crab delivery nationwide. Whether you’re searching for the best stone crab claws shipped to your home or want to order stone crabs online, we ensure freshness, speed, and quality with every claw.
Why should I order stone crab online?
When you order stone crab online from Holy Crab, you’re getting the freshest Florida stone crab claws caught daily, cooked to perfection, and delivered overnight to your door. Fast, reliable shipping with easy tracking and timely updates. Free for orders over $400. Convenient local pickup and quick delivery for the Miami area.
Where can I find the best stone crab claws in Florida?
At Key Largo Fisheries, we take pride in offering the freshest and finest quality Florida stone crab claws available. Our stone crabs are sustainably harvested from the pristine waters of Florida, ensuring that you get the best tasting stone crab claws every time you order. Why Choose Our Florida Stone Crab Claws?
Why should you buy Stone Crabs in Florida?
Offering unbeatable prices and overnight shipping across the nation, you can benefit from having delicious Florida stone crabs right away without ever having to leave home! Enjoy stone crabs for sale now at outstanding rates and get ready to sink your teeth into succulent seafood.
Where do you ship stone crab claws?
Mostly in the gulf of Mexico, In the Florida Keys, and up the West Coast of Florida. Where do you ship your stone crabs from? Billy’s Stone Crab is located in Hollywood, Florida, right of A1A. Are the stone crab claws cooked?