Lump crab meat is the ultimate delicious premium seafood treat. Those large, succulent pieces of sweet white crab are heavenly in everything from crab cakes to seafood salads andstuffed fish. But where can you find high quality, fresh lump crab meat to buy near you?
Tracking down excellent lump crab meat from sustainable sources can be a challenge if you don’t live near the coast. Thankfully, some helpful tips will point you towards the best places and brands for purchasing lump crab meat in your area. Here is everything you need to know to locate and buy incredible fresh lump crab meat close to home
Check Local Fish Markets and Specialty Seafood Shops
Your first stop when seeking out lump crab meat should be local independent fish markets or specialty seafood stores. The best quality lump crab comes straight from dedicated seafood suppliers with quick turnaround of fresh catches.
In coastal areas like the Chesapeake Bay Maryland and Virginia local seafood markets pride themselves on carry top-grade lump crab freshly packed onsite. But even inland, some dedicated fish mongers or seafood specialty stores order shipments of fresh crab to sell quality lump meat.
The staff expertise at these stores can be invaluable when picking out the finest crab meat. They may also let you sample options to choose the sweetest, most tender lump crab meat for your needs. Expect to pay premium prices, but it’s worth it for the freshness and quality.
Check the Seafood Counter at Upscale Grocery Stores
Not every standard supermarket will carry fresh packaged lump crab meat. But upscale grocers like Whole Foods do often sell lump crab in the fresh seafood department.
The crab will likely not be as local and recently caught as at dedicated fish markets. But for grocery store crab meat, the quality still surpasses the canned shelf-stable variety.
Selecting lump crab meat in person allows you to pick through and find packages with the largest, most intact lumps. Gently shake packs to make sure the meat hasn’t broken down. Then use within a day or two for optimum freshness.
Order Lump Crab Meat Online Direct from Suppliers
Another handy option for buying lump crab meat is to order it online directly from reputable crab suppliers, no matter where you live. Companies like Baltimore Seafood and Cameron’s Seafood ship fresh, never frozen crab nationwide.
Order Maryland jumbo lump crab meat overnight for delivery to your door. It’s a bit pricier than grabbing it in person, but still less expensive than dining on crab in a restaurant! Online ordering allows anyone to access amazingly fresh crab.
Just be sure to closely check shipping policies. Opt for overnight shipping of perishables like raw seafood. The speediest delivery helps ensure it arrives as fresh as possible.
What Type of Lump Crab to Buy
Now that you know the best places to buy lump crab meat, what form exactly should you look for? Here are some tips on selecting the ideal variety and packaging of lump crab:
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Jumbo Lump – This is the highest grade, consisting of whole crabs split and picked. Look for large, pearly white lumps.
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Lump or Backfin Lump – Smaller, less uniform lumps than jumbo but still tasty. More affordable option.
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Fresh Packed – Refrigerated pasteurized crab meat. Not frozen. Check sell-by date.
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Pasteurized Crab – Heated to destroy bacteria without cooking meat. Extends shelf life slightly.
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Color – Lump crab meat should be snowy white with red tints. Avoid yellowing.
Handling Fresh Lump Crab Meat Safely
Proper handling preserves the quality and safety of fresh raw crab meat after buying:
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Keep chilled below 40°F, ideally around 37°F.
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Store in original packaging until ready to use.
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Use within 4-5 days of purchasing for best flavor and texture.
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Cook fully to 145°F internal temperature to eliminate bacteria risk.
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Discard any crab meat with an off smell instead of cooking.
With ideal storage conditions, lump crab meat keeps its freshness so it’s ready to shine in your favorite seafood recipes.
Scrumptious Recipes for Lump Crab Meat
Once you’ve brought home sublime lump crab meat, it’s time to enjoy it in creative recipes like:
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Classic Maryland Crab Cakes with light breading so the lump crab stars
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Crab Louie Salad with lump crab and hardboiled egg on greens
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Lump crab stuffed salmon or halibut
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Lump crab pasta tossed with linguine, lemon, white wine, and herbs
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Avocado and lump crab stack appetizers on crispy wonton crackers
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Seafood cioppino with the shellfish simmered separately to preserve lump crab texture
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Creamy hot crab dip with lump crab folded into a cheesy creamy base
The tender bite and sweetness of lump crab meat really gets to shine when it’s the highlighted star ingredient instead of buried. Let lump take center stage!
Where to Find Lump Crab Near Me: Quick Recap
For incredible fresh lump crab meat in your location, hit up these sources:
- Local fish markets and dedicated seafood shops
- Seafood counters at upscale grocery stores
- Direct online ordering from top crab suppliers
- High-end grocery delivery like Whole Foods
Seeking out the freshest, overnight shipped options will ensure you get the highest quality lump crab possible. Handle with care once purchased.
Then whip up amazing seafood recipes featuring sweet, succulent lump crab meat as the highlight. From crab Louis to cioppino and more, let the fresh crab flavor dazzle your tastebuds.
Armed with this guide to finding and buying the best lump crab meat near you, you’ll be ready to enjoy premium crab whenever a recipe calls for it. Happy lump crab cooking!
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Ingredients: Blue Crab Crabmeat, (C. Sapidus), Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate
Nutrition Facts3 servings per containerServing size3 oz cooked (84 g)Amount per servingCalories100% Daily Value *
Products that are dairy-free don’t have milk, butter, cheese, sour cream, yogurt, whey, casein, ghee, or lactose in them.
There isn’t a single, regulated, or agreed upon definition of paleo when it comes to diets, but we use the term “paleo-friendly” to refer to foods that are low in fat and high in protein, like fruits and vegetables (but not too many starchy ones), nuts, and seeds. Paleo-friendly products typically do not include grains, legumes, refined sugar, certain oils, dairy and non-paleo additives.
Sugar-conscious foods do not contain added sugars and have less than 4g of sugar per serving.
The Whole Foods Diet is a food-based, plant-based plan that was made by John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, and Dr. Alona Pulde and Dr. Matthew Lederman. The diets follows two simple guiding principles: 1. Choose real foods over highly processed foods and 2. Eat mostly plant foods (90 to 100% of your daily calories). Some of the foods that are important to their diets are oatmeal, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
There isn’t a single, regulated definition of the keto diet, but when we talk about foods that are “keto-friendly,” we usually mean meat and seafood that doesn’t have any added sugar, fats or cooking oils, full-fat dairy products that don’t have any added sugars, and vegetables and fruits that are low in starch, like kale, spinach, mushrooms, green beans, and green bell peppers. Some fruits, like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, can also be eaten in small amounts.
Some foods that aren’t keto-friendly are grain-based foods like bread, pasta, rice, crackers, and cookies; starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn, and yams; beans and legumes (including peanuts); fruit juice; dried fruit; and some higher-carb fruits like oranges, grapes, mangoes, pineapples, and bananas.
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