Where to Buy J.M. Clayton Crab Meat

For over 126 years, J.M. Clayton Seafood Company has been hand-picking premium crab meat in Cambridge Maryland. Their lump jumbo lump, claw, and claw finger crab meat has gained renown among seafood aficionados. But with distribution focused on the Delmarva Peninsula, many ask – where can I buy J.M. Clayton crab meat near me or shipped?

In this article, we’ll cover where you can find this artisanal Maryland crab meat to order and have it shipped or taste it locally.

About J.M. Clayton Seafood Company

JM. Clayton Seafood Company was founded by James Marion Clayton in 1890 in Cambridge, Maryland For five generations, the Clayton family has continued the tradition of meticulously hand-picking Chesapeake blue crabs delivered fresh daily by local watermen.

The J.M. Clayton team prides themselves on preparing crab meat naturally without any chemicals, additives, or preservatives. Their proprietary processing methods yield lump and jumbo lump crab meat of exceptional quality. J.M. Clayton has won numerous awards for their sustainable practices and dedication to culinary excellence.

Where to Buy J.M. Clayton Crab Meat Locally

Being based in Cambridge, Maryland, J.M. Clayton crab meat can be readily found atseafood markets and grocery stores throughout the Delmarva Peninsula. Here are some local spots to pick up J.M. Clayton crab meat close to the source:

Maryland and Delaware Eastern Shore – J.M. Clayton crab meat is available in crab houses, fishmongers, and specialty food stores in cities like Cambridge, Easton, St. Michaels, Salisbury, Ocean City, Rehoboth Beach, and Lewes.
Annapolis, Maryland – Retailers like The Fresh Fish Market, Cantler’s Riverside Inn, and McGarvey’s carry JM. Clayton crab meat. Stop by when visiting Annapolis
Baltimore, Maryland – In Baltimore’s historic Lexington Market and other seafood shops, you can buy J.M. Clayton lump and jumbo lump crab meat.
Washington D.C. – Dean & Deluca’s locations in D.C. as well as other fish markets in the city offer fresh J.M. Clayton crab meat.
Virginia Eastern Shore – On the Virginia side of the Delmarva Peninsula, J.M. Clayton crab meat can be found in places like Cape Charles, Chincoteague, and Onancock.

So around the Chesapeake Bay is the easiest place to purchase J.M. Clayton crab meat locally.

Where to Buy J.M. Clayton Crab Meat Online

For those not located near the Chesapeake Bay who want J.M. Clayton’s Maryland blue crab meat shipped, the company offers online ordering directly through their website at jmclayton.com.

Here are the online ordering options:

J.M. Clayton Retail Store – Order fresh lump, jumbo lump, claw, and claw finger crab meat in various sizes for delivery in 1-2 days.
Cape Mini Crab Cakes – Buy their signature mini crab cakes made with J.M. Clayton jumbo lump meat to bake or fry at home.
Gift Boxes – Select gift boxes with J.M. Clayton crab meat, mini crab cakes, and merchandise available to ship as gifts.

J.M. Clayton provides reasonable standard overnight shipping rates, with expedited and 2-day delivery also available. This allows crab meat lovers across the country to order their premium Chesapeake blue crab online.

Where Else to Buy J.M. Clayton Crab Meat

In addition to buying directly, J.M. Clayton crab meat can also be purchased from select online seafood retailers and other locations:

Catalina Offshore Products – This highly regarded seafood purveyor with nationwide shipping sells J.M. Clayton jumbo lump Maryland crab meat.
Chesapeake Bay Gourmet – A woman-owned Maryland company offering J.M. Clayton products like crab cakes and imperial crab dip to ship.
Larsen’s Fish Market – A popular Seattle fish market with free shipping that carries J.M. Clayton lump and jumbo lump crab.
DiBruno Bros. – The Philadelphia specialty food chain sells packaged J.M. Clayton crab meat at its stores.
DC Central Kitchen – This D.C. catering company uses J.M. Clayton crab in products available for pickup or delivery.

So even outside the Chesapeake area, more options are appearing for purchasing J.M. Clayton crab meat online and at retailers. Availability is expanding as their reputation grows nationwide.

Tips for Buying J.M. Clayton Crab Meat

To ensure you get authentic, high-quality J.M. Clayton crab meat, keep these tips in mind when buying:

Check for the J.M. Clayton label and blue packaging on any packaged meat.
For fresh crab meat, look for the crab meat to have discernible chunks and flakes rather than a shredded appearance.
J.M. Clayton only produces pasteurized crab meat in 8 oz. containers, not any unpasteurized or frozen meat.
Verify any alleged J.M. Clayton products through jmclayton.com or by calling their store to confirm legitimacy.
When buying online, be sure chilled or frozen shipping is available to maintain optimal freshness and flavor.

Stick with authorized sellers to guarantee you get genuine handpicked J.M. Clayton crab meat.

Enjoy an Iconic Maryland Tradition

Eating J.M. Clayton blue crab meat allows you to partake in an iconic Chesapeake culinary tradition dating back generations. Their artisanal approach to hand-picking crab since 1890 results in lump and jumbo lump meat of unparalleled texture, taste, and quality.

While availability may be most widespread near the source in Cambridge, Maryland, opportunities to purchase J.M. Clayton crab meat are increasing nationwide through online ordering, retailers, and food distributors. With some searching, you can now indulge in this celebrated Maryland crab meat no matter where you live.

where to buy j m clayton crab meat

Chef Tony’s Visits the JM Clayton Crab Company! 750,000 lbs of crab meat!

FAQ

What is the best crab meat to buy for crab cakes?

Ultimately, lump crab meat is the best option for crab cakes; it has great texture and flavor, and while it is still somewhat pricey, it’s not nearly as expensive as jumbo crab meat. One pound of crab meat will yield cakes to serve about 4-6 people.

What is the best way to buy crab meat?

How to buy: If possible, buy fresh or frozen crabmeat rather than canned, which has less flavor. Fresh crabmeat comes from crabs that have been steamed or boiled, and it is typically sold in plastic containers over ice at the market. Usually the meat is pasteurized—heated to kill bacteria and to extend its shelf life.

Is Epicure crab meat from Maryland?

For five generations, live Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs have been delivered by local watermen straight to our doors. We invite you to enjoy the traditional delicacy of Maryland steamed crabs or our Epicure™ Crabmeat, prepared naturally without chemicals, additives or preservatives.

Where is jumbo lump crab meat from?

Jumbo lump crab meat comes from a very specific part of the crab. It is the meat that forms the muscle for the swimmer fins. Each crab only has two of these muscles, so it takes a lot of crabs to make up a container of jumbo lump crabmeat. This is why it is usually the most expensive variety at the grocery store.