Where to Buy Fresh Crab Meat Near Me: The Best Local Sources

Crab meat is coveted for its sweet succulent flavor and tender texture. Whether you want jumbo lump crab for crab cakes or canned crab meat for salads finding high-quality fresh crab can be a challenge. Luckily, there are great options to source premium crab meat right in your area. Here are the best places to buy fresh crab meat near you.

Check Local Fish Markets

The absolute best way to get freshly cooked and picked crab is to visit fish markets and seafood stores in coastal towns. Markets that are located right at the docks offer just-caught crab that local fishermen bring in daily. You’ll find these little mom-and-pop stores clustered around fishing villages.

The crab is cooked, cleaned and hand-picked on-site, ensuring absolute freshness. Stores will carry snow, king, dungeoness and other regional crab varieties depending on what’s in season. The meat will be available in different grades like jumbo lump or claw. Expect to pay premium prices but the quality is unmatched.

Grocery Store Seafood Sections

For convenient crab meat shopping, check the fresh seafood section at your local supermarket. Larger grocery chains get regular shipments of pasteurized crab meat brought in from coastal states. While not as locally sourced, the crab is still high-quality and safe to eat.

Look for refrigerated containers from reputable brands like Phillips Foods, Coastal Blue, or Handy Crab They’ll have jumbo lump, backfin, claw and other crab meat options. Buy in smaller quantities and use within a few days for the best flavor

Warehouse Club Stores

Bulk retailers like Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s Club often carry fresh crab, especially when it’s in season. You can find good deals on snow crab clusters, king crab legs, and jumbo lump crab meat tubs The crab is wild-caught in places like Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, or North Atlantic

While buying warehouse club crab does offer savings, be mindful of how much you can realistically use before it spoils. Crab meat lasts only 4-5 days refrigerated.

Online Seafood Stores

Ordering fresh crab meat online from e-commerce seafood companies like Lobster Anywhere or Maine Lobster Now is an easy option. They overnight ship live crabs as well as picked crab meat packed on ice to deliver peak freshness.

The seafood is shipped from coastal states where it’s sourced directly from local fisheries so you get quality crab never previously frozen. It’s a convenient way to get crab meat from the source.

Asian Supermarkets

For ready-to-use crab sticks and shredded crab meat, check your local Asian grocery store. They stock Japanese brands like Osaki, Marutama, and Yamasa favored for their amazing texture and taste.

The imitation crab style is commonly used in California rolls. While not 100% real crab, these Japanese products are of high quality with sought-after flavor. The price tag is also lower than pure lump crab.

Order Direct from Local Crab Houses

Many crab shacks, crab houses, and steamed crab eateries will let you order fresh crab meat to take home. Just call them up to check availability and pricing. The crab is likely caught right where it’s cooked.

This is a great way to get premium jumbo lump crab, backfin, or claw meat that’s meticulously handpicked. Keep in mind that smaller restaurants have limited inventory so order ahead if need be.

Tips for Buying Crab Meat

• For jumbo lump, look for large solid pieces rather than shredded bits.

• Opt for crab caught wild rather than farmed for better flavor.

• Make sure the crab meat smells fresh with no ammonia odor.

• Crab meat stops improving in quality after being picked. Eat ASAP for best taste.

• Store fresh crab meat drained of liquids in a sealed container for 2-4 days max.

• Freeze excess pasteurized crab meat for up to 3 months if you won’t use it in time.

Delicious Ways to Use Fresh Crab Meat

Fresh crab is delicious in these recipes:

• Classic crab cakes mixed with breadcrumbs and spices

• Cold crab salad served over greens with dressing

• Hearty crab bisque loaded with vegetables

• Crab imperial topped with cheese and baked

• Open-faced crab sandwiches on toasted bread

• Fresh crab stuffed into mushrooms or peppers

• Simple crab pasta tossed with olive oil or white wine sauce

• Chunky seafood salad with crab and shrimp

So embrace your inner crustacean lover and try some fantastic fresh crab today! Use our guide to finding the best crab meat from premium sources near you.

Where Should I Buy Fresh Crab Meat Near Me?

Getting tasty fresh crab to enjoy at home is easy when you know where to shop. Buying direct from coastal fish markets guarantees a just-caught product. Grocery store seafood sections, club warehouses and online seafood companies also offer conveniences like quick shopping and delivery. Just focus on finding responsibly sourced wild crab. With a bit of planning, you can make delectable crab recipes with the real deal instead of imitation.