Where Can I Buy Real Crab Meat? Your Guide to Finding Authentic Crab

Crab meat is one of the most delicious and coveted seafood ingredients. The sweet, succulent flavor and delicate texture make crab an incredibly versatile protein that can be used in everything from crab cakes and crab dip to seafood pasta and crab imperial However, not all crab meat is created equal. With different types and quality levels on the market, it’s important to know where to buy real, authentic crab meat you can trust.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about buying real crab meat, including:

Types of Crab Meat

There are a few main categories of crab meat to understand

• White meat – Taken from the claws and body. Delicate flavor and flaky texture. Good for crab cakes.

• Lump or Backfin – Larger chunks from the body. Still flaky but with more bite. Great for stuffing into dishes.

• Jumbo Lump – The largest unbroken chunks from the body. Prized for salads, crab cocktails, and anywhere you want beautiful whole pieces.

• Claw – From the claws and legs. Richer flavor with shredded, stringy texture. Commonly used in soups, broths, and hot dishes.

Jumbo lump is the highest grade and most coveted type of crab meat. For a premium eating experience or presentation, jumbo lump is the way to go. Lower grades have their uses as well, depending on the application.

Where to Buy Jumbo Lump Crab Meat

When you want the very best quality jumbo lump crab meat, buying straight from a trusted source is key. Here are some of the best places to buy authentic, fresh jumbo lump crab meat:

Online Seafood Markets

Buying crab meat online allows you to go straight to established seafood suppliers who focus on quality. The crab is steamed, picked, and packaged at the source before being shipped overnight to your door. This ensures maximum freshness. Some top online sources for jumbo lump crab include:

• North Coast Seafoods – Our favorite source! North Coast ships overnight from Boston. Their hand-picked jumbo lump is consistently impressive – all large, clean pieces with amazing flavor.

• Maine Lobster Now – An excellent option for East Coast delivery of jumbo lump from Maine. Quick overnight shipping.

• Catalina Offshore – For West Coast delivery, Catalina Offshore packs jumbo lump crab overnight. Nice size and flavor.

Local Fish Markets

In some areas like Maryland and the Southeast, you can find high-quality blue crab harvested from local waters. Visit trusted fish markets and ask when their crab shipments come in. For ultimate freshness, try to buy crab meat straight off the boat.

Quality can vary quite a bit with local crab meat. Ensure the crab feels cold and smells fresh – never fishy. The pieces should be large and intact. Broken meat means it was roughly handled.

Whole Foods Market

For a grocery store option, Whole Foods Market carries pasteurized jumbo lump crab meat in containers near the fresh seafood. The Pontchartrain Blue Crab brand is a good choice. While not as fresh as ordering direct online or buying from a dock, it’s a reliable option when you need good crab asap.

Costco

Costco sells cans and tubs of various crab meat types, often at a significant discount. However, it likely won’t be true jumbo lump – rather a lower grade like lump or backfin. The quality is not comparable to fresh-picked jumbo lump from other sources. But for budget crab cakes and other recipes, Costco crab can work in a pinch.

Trader Joe’s

Like Costco, Trader Joe’s sells affordable canned crab meat that is cheaper than jumbo lump. They offer fancy white crab meat and a red crab blend. The texture won’t be as impressive but the flavor is still quite decent. It can make an affordable weeknight crab dish.

Tips for Spotting Real vs Fake Crab Meat

With so many options on the market, how can you be sure you’re getting the real thing? Here are some tips:

• Check the label – Authentic crab will be labeled as “jumbo lump” or “lump crab meat”. It should contain just crab and maybe salt or preservatives. No fillers.

• Look for pieces with edges – Real lumps will have a ragged, uneven shape from being broken off the body. Smooth flakes are likely faked with minced meat.

• Smell it – Fresh crab has a sweet, mild aroma. If it smells very fishy or ammonia-like, that’s a bad sign.

• Know the price – Jumbo lump is a luxury ingredient. If the price seems way too low, it is likely not real crab.

• Try a small bite – Fake crab has a fishier, muddier taste. The flavor of real crab is sweet and delicate.

Buying imitation crab meat or crab sticks is fine for certain recipes like sushi rolls. But when you want the real thing, use these tips to avoid getting duped by imposter crab. There’s simply no substitute for fresh-picked jumbo lump!

How Much Crab Meat Should I Buy?

Crab meat tends to be sold in 1⁄2 lb, 1 lb, and 3 lb containers. Here are some guidelines on how much to purchase:

• Crab cakes – Allow 1⁄4 to 1⁄3 lb per crab cake. A 1 lb container will make 3-4 cakes.

• Crab dip – roughly 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 lb for 2-3 cups of dip for a party.

• Salads – 1⁄2 lb of crab per 3-4 salad servings.

• Sandwiches/rolls – 3-4 oz meat per roll or sandwich.

• Pastas/risottos – 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 lb for 2 main servings.

• Soups/chowders – 1 lb for 8-10 small bowl servings.

For the best value, go for larger 3 lb orders. Leftover crab meat will keep 5-7 days in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer. The possibilities are endless!

Storing Crab Meat Properly

To get the longest shelf life out of your crab meat:

• Keep it chilled at 32-40°F. Crab meat is highly perishable.

• Store in an airtight container. This prevents moisture loss.

• Use within 3-5 days for peak freshness. The flavor and texture goes downhill over time.

• Freeze leftovers in an airtight bag for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.

With proper handling, you can enjoy your crab meat for over a week after purchasing. Just remember to keep it ice cold!

Time to Make Amazing Crab Recipes

Now that you know where to buy real, authentic jumbo lump crab meat, it’s time to put it to use in incredible crab dishes! Here are just a few mouthwatering ideas:

• Classic Maryland Crab Cakes
• Lump Crab Salad with Mango Salsa
• Crab Louie Lettuce Wraps
• Jumbo Lump Crab Dip with Grilled Pita
• Cold Crab and Avocado Soup
• Linguine with Jumbo Lump Crab and Asparagus

The sweet flavor and meaty texture of jumbo lump crab meat deserves to be the star in these easy yet elegant recipes. There’s no better way to enjoy the fruits of the sea!

So what are you waiting for? Now that you know exactly where to buy fresh, authentic jumbo lump crab meat, you can elevate seafood night, impress guests, and treat yourself to this culinary luxury straight from the ocean. Just be sure to source your crab meat wisely. Quality crab makes all the difference in preparing incredible dishes that let the crab shine.