Lobster is one of those decadent treats that just screams special occasion. With its succulent meat and bright red shell, lobster is the perfect centerpiece for a celebratory meal with family or friends. However due to its high price tag at many grocery stores and restaurants enjoying lobster often comes with a hefty bill. That’s why more and more people are wondering – can you get lobster at Costco at a more affordable price?
The good news is yes, Costco does sell lobster! In fact, Costco offers high-quality lobster tails, lobster meat, and even live lobsters at prices that are much more budget-friendly than your average grocery store. As a Costco member, you can enjoy this tasty crustacean without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about buying lobster from Costco. We’ll cover:
- What types of lobster products they sell
- How much lobster costs at Costco
- How the prices compare to competitors
- Where to find lobster in Costco warehouses
- Tips for cooking lobster tails from Costco
Let’s dive into everything there is to know about getting your lobster fix from Costco!
What Types of Lobster Does Costco Sell?
Costco offers a variety of lobster products so you can choose the right type, size and form that works best for your needs and budget:
Lobster Tails
One of the most popular lobster products at Costco is their frozen lobster tails The lobster tails are wild-caught in the waters off New England and Nova Scotia.
Costco’s frozen lobster tail packs contain either 6 or 12 tails per pack The tails usually range in size from 6 to 8 ounces each Having the tails already shelled and individually quick-frozen makes preparation easy.
Lobster Meat
For those who don’t want to deal with cooking and shelling whole lobster tails, Costco also sells containers of pre-cooked lobster meat.
The lobster meat is hand-picked, processed, and packed in Maine. It is sold in 1-pound vacuum sealed packets to lock in freshness. This sweet, succulent meat makes whipping up lobster rolls, dips, or salads a breeze.
Live Lobsters
Certain Costco locations with large seafood departments may also have a tank with live lobsters available for purchase. This offers the freshest option if you want a whole lobster and plan to cook it soon after purchase.
The live lobsters are usually 1 to 1.5 pounds each. Keep in mind proper storage is important for live lobsters.
How Much Does Lobster Cost at Costco?
One of the biggest benefits of buying lobster from Costco is the savings compared to other retailers. Here are some typical Costco lobster prices:
- Raw lobster tails – $23.99 for a 6-tail pack (12 to 14 oz tails), about $4/tail
- Cooked lobster meat – $19.99 per pound
- Live lobsters – $8.99 to $13.99 per lobster
To compare, grocery stores often charge the following prices:
- Lobster tails – $7.99 to $12.99 per tail
- Lobster meat – $22.99 to $29.99 per pound
- Live lobster – $18 to $25 per lobster
So you can see Costco offers considerable savings, with lobster tail prices around 30-50% cheaper than the grocery store. Even the fresh live lobsters are a better value at Costco.
The reason Costco can offer lower pricing is their direct purchasing relationships with lobster suppliers. This allows them to eliminate middleman markups. Then they pass the savings on to their members.
Where Can I Find Lobster in Costco Warehouses?
Costco stocks lobster in both the frozen and fresh seafood sections of the warehouse. Here are some tips on finding it:
Frozen Section
The packs of frozen raw lobster tails and bags of cooked lobster meat will be in the frozen foods section. Check the freezers near the other frozen seafood like shrimp and fish fillets.
Fresh Seafood Area
If your Costco has live lobsters in stock, they will be kept in a large fresh seafood display with tanks. This area is usually along the back wall of the warehouse near the fresh meat counters. There may be just one or two lobster tanks mixed in with the live fish and shellfish displays.
Ask at the seafood counter if you need assistance locating the live lobsters. Let them know how many you need, and they can grab the lobsters for purchase.
Seasonal Availability
Lobster availability and pricing may vary throughout the year at Costco. Late spring through early fall is peak season when you can typically find the largest selection of lobster products. Outside of peak season, you may see fewer options.
Cooking Costco’s Frozen Lobster Tails
Costco’s frozen raw lobster tails make preparing restaurant-quality seafood suppers easy. They just need to be thawed and cooked. Here are some tips:
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Thaw tails overnight in the fridge or for a few hours in cold water. Thawing slowly preserves moisture.
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Prepare a hot pan or pot with salted butter or oil over medium-high heat. The fat will help prevent sticking.
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Cook frozen tails straight from freezer – no need to thaw first. Just add a couple extra minutes to the cook time.
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Cook for 5-7 minutes per side depending on size. Turn tails once – don’t overcook.
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Brush with butter and sprinkle with lemon for best flavor.
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Boil and steam are other easy cooking methods.
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Split shells before serving to make it easier for guests to access the tender meat.
So don’t wait for a big celebration to enjoy lobster! With Costco’s affordable prices on lobster tails, meat, and live lobsters, you can treat yourself to this tasty luxury food any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about buying lobster at Costco? Here are answers to some common queries:
Does Costco sell live lobsters?
Some Costco locations do sell live lobsters seasonally. They will be in tanks in the fresh seafood area. Check with your local warehouse.
Are Costco lobster tails wild caught?
Yes, Costco states their lobster tails come from wild lobsters caught off the coast of New England and Nova Scotia waters.
Why is Costco lobster cheaper?
Costco can offer low prices directly through their partnerships with lobster suppliers, without added middleman markups. Their high volume purchases also help lower costs.
How should I store Costco lobster tails?
If freezing, lay tails flat in a single layer to prevent sticking. Use within 2-3 months for best quality. Refrigerate thawed tails for 1-2 days.
Can I re-freeze lobster tails after thawing?
It’s best not to refreeze raw lobster tails after fully thawing. They may turn mushy. Cooked lobster meat can be refrozen.
Does Costco sell just the lobster meat?
Yes, Costco has 1-pound packages of cooked lobster meat available in the frozen section. It’s already shelled and ready to eat.
So go ahead and grab some lobster on your next Costco run to create a memorable meal on a budget. With their fresh or frozen lobster selections, you’re sure to get incredibly tasty seafood at prices that won’t break the bank.
