does costco have lobster claws

Does Costco Sell Lobster Claws? Everything You Need To Know

Lobster claws are a delicious indulgence that many shoppers hope to find at warehouse clubs like Costco. Their sweet, tender meat makes them a special treat perfect for holidays and special occasions. As a Costco shopper myself, I often get asked – does Costco sell lobster claws? The short answer is yes, Costco does carry lobster claws! In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about finding and buying lobster claws at Costco.

Overview of Lobster Claws at Costco

Costco sells both frozen and fresh lobster claws in their warehouses and on Costcocom They carry cooked lobster claws that just need a quick steam or warm up to eat, The lobster is wild-caught in the cold northern Atlantic waters of Canada and Maine for peak sweetness and flavor,

At my local Costco warehouse in Los Angeles, they stock fresh cooked lobster claws from suppliers like East Coast Seafood, Seacore Seafood, and Fresh Atlantic Canada The frozen raw lobster claws are typically Kirkland Signature branded. Between the fresh and frozen options, you can find lobster claws at Costco year-round

Buying Fresh vs. Frozen Lobster Claws at Costco

You have the choice between fresh pre-cooked claws or frozen raw claws when shopping at Costco. Here’s an overview of the main differences:

• Fresh pre-cooked lobster claws: Found in the refrigerated seafood case, packaged in clear bags, about 2 lbs each, contains 8-12 intact claws and arms, needs just a quick steam before eating, defrosts quickly.

• Frozen raw lobster claws: Sold in the freezer section, Kirkland Signature brand, needs to be fully cooked before eating, stores longer when frozen, can be harder to find in stock.

I tend to prefer the fresh pre-cooked claws for quick easy heating. But the frozen raw claws allow you to stock up since they keep longer. Both offer quality lobster claw meat.

Lobster Claw Prices at Costco

As a premium seafood option, lobster claws cost more than cheaper options like tilapia or shrimp at Costco. However, their prices are very reasonable compared to other grocery stores thanks to Costco’s bulk buying power. Here are the typical lobster claw price ranges at Costco:

• Fresh cooked claws: $15.99 to $19.99 per pound
• Frozen raw claws: $14.99 to $17.99 per pound

The 2 lb bags of fresh cooked claws run around $30 to $40. Prices are a bit higher around major holidays when demand surges but stay fairly consistent year-round. Overall, Costco saves you $5 to $10 per pound compared to other stores.

How to Select High-Quality Lobster Claws at Costco

Follow these tips when picking out your lobster claws at the Costco seafood case:

• Check for recent pack dates for freshness.
• Look for intact, solid claws without cracks.
• Gently squeeze the claws to see small leg movements which means they are alive.
• Avoid any dark spots or discoloration.
• Heavier bags signal more filled out claws.
• Recognizable suppliers like East Coast Seafood indicate quality.

Taking a minute to carefully inspect your lobster claws ensures the best, sweetest meat inside the shells.

How to Cook Lobster Claws from Costco

The fresh pre-cooked lobster claws just require warming since they are already fully cooked. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to heat them through:

• Rinse claws briefly and remove from packaging.
• Fill a pot with 1-2 inches of boiling water.
• Place claws in a steaming basket and set over boiling water.
• Cover and steam for 5-10 minutes until hot.
• Serve immediately with melted butter, lemon, etc.

For frozen raw claws, you’ll need to fully cook them from frozen using boiling, steaming, or broiling. They take 10-15 minutes to turn bright red when cooked.

Delicious Ways to Eat Lobster Claws from Costco

Beyond just cracking and eating Costco’s lobster claws plain, they work great in recipes like:

• Lobster rolls on toasted buns with lemon aioli
• Baked lobster mac and cheese casserole
• Creamy lobster bisque soup
• Lobster ravioli with garlic and herbs
• Grilled lobster quesadillas with cheese
• Lobster tacos with avocado and lime
• Lobster pizza with zesty citrus flavors

Get creative with the sweet lobster meat in your favorite seafood dishes!

Can You Freeze Costco’s Lobster Claws?

Yes, you can freeze the fresh cooked or frozen raw lobster claws from Costco to extend their shelf life. Here are some freezing tips:

• Seal the claws in freezer bags or airtight containers, removing excess air.
• Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and flavor.
• Thaw the frozen claws slowly in the fridge overnight before cooking.

Freezing allows you to buy and stash lobster claws from Costco to enjoy for months.

Are Costco Lobster Claws Worth Buying?

In my opinion, Costco’s lobster claws are absolutely worth purchasing. Here’s a brief pros and cons review:

Pros:

• Good prices compared to elsewhere
• High-quality premium lobster claws
• Pre-cooked fresh claws for fast easy prep
• Sweet, tender claw meat with great flavor
• Fun special occasion seafood treat

Cons:

• Need to eat within 5 days of thawing
• Still pricier than other Costco seafood
• Require work to extract the lobster meat
• Limited availability, not always in stock

Overall, the convenience, reasonable pricing, and delicious flavor of Costco’s lobster claws make them a great buy. I watch for them every time I browse the expansive Costco seafood selection.

The Bottom Line