Crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat that many of us crave from time to time. There’s nothing quite like cracking open a fresh, meaty crab leg and savoring the sweet flesh inside. But finding high-quality crab legs near you can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look. This guide will help you locate the best sources for fresh crab legs close to home.
Check Local Seafood Markets and Fishmongers
One of the best ways to find fresh crab legs is to visit a local seafood market or fishmonger in your area. Many seafood shops order live crabs and steam them in-house to ensure peak freshness. You can often find snow crab legs, king crab legs, and Dungeness crab legs sold by the cluster or pound. Seafood markets with their own fishing boats are ideal, as you know the seafood was caught locally. This is a great option if you want to cook the crab legs yourself.
Ask Your Local Grocery Store Seafood Counter
While selection is more limited many grocery store seafood counters carry pre-cooked snow crab legs and king crab legs. These are a quick and convenient option when you don’t have time to prepare crab legs from scratch. Check the labels for the harvest location and date to find the freshest options. Grocery store crab legs are often previously frozen, so inquire about when they were thawed if buying pre-cooked.
Check the Menu at Local Seafood Restaurants
For ready-to-eat crab legs near you check out seafood restaurants in your area. Many restaurants serve crab legs as appetizers in seafood boils or as entrées. Upscale seafood eateries like Joe’s Crab Shack may offer legs from king crab, snow crab and Dungeness crab. The crab legs are often a highlight of the menu. Call ahead to ask about today’s crab leg offerings and confirm they weren’t previously frozen.
All-You-Can-Eat Crab Leg Buffets
For endless crab legs near me, I check all-you-can-eat seafood buffets in my city. These buffets often feature a snow crab leg station where you can crack open cluster after cluster to your heart’s content. While the crab legs may not be as high-quality as those from a dedicated seafood restaurant, the endless supply makes up for it. Check buffet restaurant websites for crab leg pricing and availability.
Seafood Festivals and Restaurant Specials
Keep an eye out for special crab leg events like seafood festivals or restaurant promotions in your city. Many restaurants highlight crab legs during events like Alaska Crab Fest or All-You-Can-Eat Crab Legs Night. Follow your favorite local eateries on social media for crab leg specials. These events are a tasty way to indulge in crab legs near me at discounted prices.
Asian Supermarkets and Fish Markets
Asian supermarkets and fish markets can be an excellent place to find fresh crab legs, especially Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Korean markets. Many carry live crabs ready for cooking along with frozen crab legs. Check tanks for lively, active crabs showing signs of health. Inspect frozen legs for frost indicating consistent freezing and no thawing/re-freezing.
Order Crab Legs Online
If I’m really craving crab legs but coming up empty-handed locally, I order them online. Retailers like Seattle Fish Co and Fulton Fish Market ship fresh and frozen crab overnight. Check retailer websites for shipping days and costs. Overnight shipping ensures the crab legs arrive as fresh as possible. Make sure to choose expedited shipping.
Set Crab Leg Traps
For the freshest crab legs possible, consider setting your own crab traps! This is a fun weekend activity and lets you source crab legs right from your local waters. Make sure to check your state’s crabbing regulations and acquire proper licenses. Drop pots baited with fish or chicken in prime crabbing spots. Pull up your traps daily and enjoy cooking your catch.
1CHOOSE YOUR CATCH
- Blue Crab
- Dungeness Crab
- Snow Crab Legs
- King Crab Legs
- Lobster
- Shrimp
- Crawfish (seasonal)
- Crawfish (frozen)
- Oysters* – 6pc./ 12pc.
- Clams
- Mussels
- Blue Crab
- Dungeness Crab
- Snow Crab Legs
- King Crab Legs
- Lobster
- Shrimp
- Crawfish (seasonal)
- Crawfish (frozen)
- Oysters* – 6pc./ 12pc.
- Clams
- Mussels
2ADD SOME SAUCE
- Rajun Cajun
- Lemon Pepper
- The Whole Sha-Bang! ®
- Garlic Butter
How To Get Meat Out of Snow Crab Legs – Easy and Fast
FAQ
What are the best months to buy crab legs?
Just like most any fresh item you’ll find in the grocery store, crab is seasonal. For soft shell crabs, that season runs from April to October; Alaskan king crabs are available October to January, and stone crabs in the gulf coast of Florida are available mid-October to mid-May.
Where is the best place to find crabs?
Estuaries are the best places to get mud crabs, along with mangrove bays with good tidal flow. Mud or sand bottoms will produce crabs so don’t be too concerned with what the bottom looks like, but get the right tide.
Do grocery stores sell raw crab legs?
Grocery stores: Many grocery stores carry fresh or frozen crab legs, making them a convenient option for many people. Seafood markets: Seafood markets are a great option for buying fresh crab legs, as they usually source their seafood locally and have a wide variety of options.
What is the average price for crab legs?
| Premium Red King Crab Legs | Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Colossal King Crab Legs Approximately 1 leg or claw per pound | 1 lb | $119.99 |
| 5 lbs | $559.99 | |
| 10 lbs | $1,039.99 | |
| Indicate the quantity you would like and press |