Is Phillips Crab Meat Good? A Look at Quality, Taste, and Where to Buy

When it comes to canned crab meat, Phillips is one of the most well-known and trusted brands available. With over 100 years of experience catching, cooking, and canning seafood, they’ve perfected the art of bringing tasty crab to your kitchen. But with so many options on the shelves, how can you know if Phillips crab meat is a good choice for your recipes?

I took a deep dive into what makes Phillips stand out, if their products deliver on quality and flavor, and where to buy their crab meat Keep reading for the scoop on this iconic brand

A Bit of Background

Phillips Foods Inc. began back in 1914 as a family-run seafood business in Maryland. In the 1950s, the Phillips family opened their first seafood restaurant, and the company expanded into retail groceries in the 1990s.

Today Phillips operates 9 restaurants along the Maryland shoreline. But they’re best known for their canned and packaged seafood products sold in major retailers nationwide. Their lineup includes favorites like crab cakes, shrimp, oysters, chowders, and of course, crab meat.

Phillips sources crab and other seafood from trusted fishermen and processes it in plants in North America and Southeast Asia. This gives them year-round availability of fresh catches.

Why Choose Phillips for Crab Meat?

There are a few key reasons Phillips crab meat stands out among the canned options

• Reputation – For generations they’ve been synonymous with Maryland blue crab. Customers trust the Phillips name to deliver authentic flavor and quality.

• Variety – Phillips offers a range of crab meat options including jumbo lump, lump, claw, and cocktail claw. There’s a size and texture for any recipe.

• Simplicity – Phillips crab contains just crab meat and sodium acid pyrophosphate to prevent crystals. No unnecessary fillers or preservatives.

• Convenience – Their pre-cooked meat allows you to skip the work of steaming and picking crabs yourself It’s ready to eat or heat up fast

• Flavor – Customers rave about the sweet, delicious taste. Phillips crab meat tastes fresh and lets the natural flavor shine.

So for an easy way to enjoy real crab flavor at home, Phillips is a safe bet. Their commitment to quality and simple ingredients appeals to many shoppers.

Types of Phillips Crab Meat

Phillips produces several varieties of crab meat to suit different cooking needs:

• Jumbo Lump – The largest chunks from the body. Delicate texture and flavor for crab cakes or stuffing.

• Lump – Smaller broken lumps ideal for dips, salads, soups. Retains nice crab texture.

• Special – Flaky body and leg meat. Works for crab recipes on a budget.

• Claw – Shredded claw meat has more briny flavor. Often used in soups or pasta.

• Cocktail Claw – From smaller claws. Best for budget dishes needing crab taste.

• Backfin – Sweet backfin flakes. Used like lump for versatility.

No matter which you choose, Phillips crab meat exceeds competitors on crab content. You get more plump pieces and less broken filler.

Phillips Crab Meat Nutrition

A 4-ounce serving of Phillips crab meat delivers:

• 80 calories
• 18g protein
• 10% of your RDV of calcium
• 6% of your RDV of iron
• Only 180mg sodium

So it provides a hefty serving of protein with minimal carbs, fat, and salt. The omega-3s and nutrients make it a smart seafood choice.

Where to Buy Phillips Crab Meat

Phillips distributes their crab meat and other products in major retailers nationwide. Here are some of the top stores:

• Safeway
• Harris Teeter
• Kroger
• Food Lion
• Acme
• Wegmans
• Publix
• Albertsons

Phillips pasteurized crab meat can be found in the refrigerator or freezer sections. Prices may range from $3.49 for a 6oz can up to $18.99 for a 1lb tub.

You can also order Phillips crab meat online directly from their website. This lets you have their Maryland crab shipped anywhere in the US.

Does Phillips Crab Meat Taste Good?

The proof is in the taste – how does Phillips crab meat stack up? Customer impressions are overwhelmingly positive. Some of the frequent feedback includes:

• “Delicious flavor, very comparable to fresh crab.”
• “Tastes like I picked them myself. Sweet, briny, and ocean-like.”
• “The crab comes in huge chunks. Very impressive quality.”
• “You can tell it’s real crab, not fake stuff. Great texture.”
• “It has a natural crab taste with nothing extra added.”

Many also say it’s far better and more authentic than cheaper imitation crab. While canned isn’t identical to fresh-cooked, Phillips gets top marks for keeping it as close as possible.

How to Use Phillips Crab Meat

Phillips pasteurized crab meat needs no cooking. It comes pre-cooked so you can use it chilled or gently heated through. Some popular ways to enjoy Phillips crab include:

• Classic Maryland crab cakes

• Crab dip with cream cheese or sour cream

• Seafood salad with vegetables or greens

• Quick crab quesadillas

• Stuffing for fish like salmon or sea bass

• Garnish in seafood pasta or risotto

• Crab sandwiches on brioche buns

• Topping for crostini or crab-stuffed mushrooms

The applications are endless! And it cuts prep time since the crab is ready fast.

Does Phillips Crab Meat Go Bad Quickly?

Pasteurized crab meat lasts longer than fresh since it’s already cooked. An unopened package will be good 1-2 months past the sell-by date.

Once opened, use Phillips crab meat within:

• 3-5 days for refrigerated cans or tubs

• 2-3 months for unopened frozen packs

Make sure to seal it well and store in coldest spots per package directions. Freeze any you won’t use quickly for max freshness.

Look for any darkening or unpleasant odors before eating. Discard if it smells fishy or ammonia-like.

Is Phillips Worth the Price?

Phillips can cost a dollar or two more than generic brands. But devoted customers say it’s worth it for the noticeable bump in quality. Many find it actually more economical since there’s no waste – every bite is tasty crab.

Compared to fresh crab meat costing $20-30 per pound, Phillips provides excellent value. Just $3-$4 gets you a heaping serving!

For delicious crab flavor without blowing your budget, Phillips retains a stellar reputation. Their commitment to quality from catch to can makes it a rewarding choice.

Is Phillips Crab Meat Your Best Bet?

When you see that iconic label, you know you’re getting 100+ years of crab expertise. Phillips holds its own against competitors for premium taste and texture. Their processing ensures every can or pack overflows with sweet chunks of real crab.

While no pre-packaged seafood beats freshly cooked, Phillips comes impressively close. The simplicity, convenience, and reasonable prices are a boon for home cooks. Locals and seasoned chefs alike rely on Phillips for guaranteed delicious results.

For your next crab feast, dip, salad, or stuffing, the Phillips name is a smart choice. Their crab meat meets expectations for authentic Chesapeake flavor and premium quality. Given their long legacy of pride in Maryland blue crab, it’s no wonder their crab meat pleases customers meal after meal.