Does Costco Sell Crab Meat? Here’s What You Need to Know

Crab meat is a delicious seafood that can be used in a variety of dishes, from crab cakes to crab dip. With its sweet, delicate flavor, it’s no wonder why crab is such a popular ingredient. If you’re looking to buy crab meat in bulk for a great price, you may be wondering – does Costco sell crab meat?

The short answer is yes, Costco does sell fresh crab meat in their stores and online. However, the selection and availability can vary by location and season. Here’s a more in-depth look at the different types of crab meat Costco offers and how to find it at your local warehouse.

Types of Crab Meat Sold at Costco

Costco sells a variety of different crab meat options, including:

Lump Crab Meat

Lump crab meat consists of whole lumps of crab muscle. It comes from the body and claws of blue crabs. Lump crab has a sweet delicate flavor and a soft flaky texture. It’s perfect for dishes like crab cakes where you want those big pieces of crab to shine.

At Costco, you can find containers of fresh chilled jumbo lump crab meat in the seafood section. It is sold in 1 pound tubs. Kirkland brand lump crab meat comes from Asia.

Snow Crab Meat

Snow crab meat comes from the legs and claws of snow crab. It has a sweet tender texture and flakes apart delicately. The small flaked pieces of snow crab make it a versatile product to use in crab dip, salad, and more.

Costco sells containers of refrigerated snow crab meat, often under their Kirkland brand. It is available in 6 ounce and 1 pound packages. The snow crab is harvested in Canada and Alaska.

Imitation Crab Meat

Also sometimes called surimi, imitation crab meat is made from whitefish that is processed and molded to resemble flaked crab meat. It has a mild crab-like flavor at a much lower cost than real crab.

Costco sells large packs of imitation crab meat under their Kirkland brand. A 2.5 pound bag contains chunks of imitation crab legs and claws that you can mix into seafood salad, sushi rolls, and other recipes. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to get that crab flavor.

Canned Crab Meat

In addition to fresh crab, Costco also sells canned crab meat. This is real lump or flaked crab meat that has been pre-cooked and packed in cans. The canned crab meat has a shelf life of a few years.

Look for Kirkland brand premium canned white crab meat packed in water. It contains jumbo lump crab from Asia in a 6 ounce can. Costco also sometimes has other canned crab meat varieties like blue crab or Dungeness crab meat.

When is Crab Meat in Stock at Costco?

The availability of fresh crab meat at Costco depends on the fishing season. For species like king crab from Alaska, the peak season is from October to January. Snow crab is abundant from January to April. For blue crab from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, you’ll find the freshest meat in summer months like June to August.

Of course, Costco can offer frozen crab year-round. But for the best quality and selection of fresh crab, visit your local Costco warehouse during peak crab season. You’re most likely to find those 1 pound containers of refrigerated lump crab and snow crab meat when they’re in season.

Canned crab meat and imitation crab are produced year-round so those stay regularly stocked at Costco. If you’re craving fresh Dungeness crab cakes in March, you may need to opt for canned meat. Planning your recipes around seasonal fresh crab will ensure the best flavor and value.

How Much Does Crab Meat Cost at Costco?

One of the advantages of shopping at Costco is getting quality seafood for wholesale prices compared to local grocery stores. Here is an overview of the typical pricing per pound for different crab meat varieties sold at Costco:

• Fresh jumbo lump crab meat – $25 to $35 per pound
• Fresh snow crab meat – $15 to $25 per pound
• Imitation crab meat – $3 to $7 per pound
• Canned crab meat – $8 to $12 per 6 ounce can

Of course, prices can fluctuate depending on the type of crab, season, and region. But in general, Costco crab meat costs 20% to 50% less than the same products at standard grocery stores. Buying in bulk packs allows you to save even more.

Tips for Buying Crab at Costco

Here are some helpful tips for getting the best quality crab meat during your Costco shopping trips:

• Inspect packaging carefully. Fresh crab should be chilled in sealed plastic tubs, not sitting in open bins. Make sure the meat looks fresh, not dried out or yellowing.
• Check sell-by date. Opt for packages with farther out sell-by dates so you can use up the crab meat.
• Know your crab. Ask the seafood counter workers what type of crab it is and where it came from. This can help you determine the quality.
• Freeze extras. Since crab meat is perishable, divide bulk packs into smaller portions to freeze if you can’t use it all quickly.
• Add extras. Pick up crab seasoning, cocktail sauce, or other accoutrements in the aisles to prepare delicious crab dishes.

Creative Ways to Use Crab Meat from Costco

From Costco’s affordable crab cakes to snow crab salad, here are some tasty ways to use those bulk packs of crab meat from the warehouse store:

• Crab dip – Mix lump crab with cream cheese, sour cream, and seasoning. Bake or serve chilled with crackers.
• Crab salad sandwiches – Toss snow crab meat with mayo, lemon juice, diced celery, and pepper. Scoop onto a buttery, toasted roll.
• Crab stuffed mushrooms – Fill large mushroom caps with a blend of lump crab and breadcrumbs baked to perfection.
• Crab scrambled eggs – For a decadent breakfast, scramble eggs with a bit of milk then gently fold in snow crab meat.
• Crab mac and cheese – Take it up a notch by folding chunks of imitation crab meat into cheesy baked macaroni.
• Crab fried rice – Saute rice with crab meat, peas, carrots, eggs, and soy sauce for a quick weekday meal.
• Crab cakes – The class seafood appetizer! Mix lump crab gently with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings then pan fry to golden perfection.

So next time you pop into Costco for deals on bulk goods, make sure to browse the seafood section for high-quality crab meat. With proper storage and creative recipes, you can enjoy the sweet flavor of crab in meals throughout the season thanks to Costco’s fresh and affordable selection.