Soft shell crab is a sublime seafood delicacy, its tender meat and crispy fried coating igniting tastebuds. But this seasonal treat has a short harvest window, leaving soft shell crab lovers wondering – where can I get these delectable crustaceans near me?
Never fear – with a bit of searching you can enjoy delicious soft shell crab even if you don’t live near a coastline. Read on for tips on where to source soft shell crabs in your area and have them delivered right to your door.
What Makes Soft Shell Crabs So Special
Let’s first explore what gives soft shell crabs their prized texture and flavor. Soft shell crabs refer to blue crabs that have recently molted their outer shell to grow. During this brief phase after molting, the entire crab is edible since the new shell has not hardened yet.
Normally only the claws and body meat of a blue crab are eaten. But soft shell crabs allow you to enjoy the delicate meat in the legs and outer shell too This yields more tender meat with a crispy texture when fried
The peak season for soft shell crabs runs from roughly March to September. This limited harvest window means getting your hands on these crabs requires seeking out quality suppliers.
Where to Buy Soft Shell Crabs In-Person
If you are fortunate to live near a coastline where blue crabs are fished, you may find options for purchasing soft shell crabs in person. Here are some places to check locally:
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Seafood markets – Independent fish and seafood shops, especially in coastal towns, may carry soft shell crabs when in season. Ask if they can special order some.
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Asian grocery stores – Markets specializing in Asian foods often sell seafood like soft shell crabs. Check the freezer or seafood counter.
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Farmer’s markets – Ask vendors at your local farmer’s market if any fishers sell soft shell crabs. They may be able to connect you.
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Fishmongers at grocery stores – Larger grocery chains may be able to source soft shell crabs through their seafood supplier contacts. Inquire with the fish counter.
If you strike out in-person, don’t worry – ordering soft shells crabs online opens up many options.
Purchasing Soft Shell Crabs Online
Thanks to overnight shipping and insulated packaging, you can enjoy freshly caught soft shell crabs without living near the Chesapeake Bay or other harvest areas.
Here are some of the best places to buy soft shell crabs online:
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Specialty seafood retailers – Companies like Crab Dynasty and Maine Lobster Now ship live soft shell crabs overnight nationwide. They source crabs from major fishing waters.
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Local fishermen – Search for soft shell crab fishermen in Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas and other crab harvesting states. Many sell online and ship overnight.
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Meal kit companies – Some services like Blue Apron and HelloFresh include soft shell crabs in seasonal recipes. You get ingredients and instructions for cooking.
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Online grocery services – National chains like FreshDirect, AmazonFresh and Walmart Grocery carry soft shell crabs when in season and deliver to your door.
No matter where you live, ordering soft shell crabs online makes enjoying this seasonal delicacy possible.
How to Choose Quality Soft Shell Crabs
Once you find a source for soft shell crabs, look for these signs of freshness and quality:
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Clean, bright appearance, not murky or gritty
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Leg meat should bulge from shell slightly
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Shell feels soft and pliable when gently squeezed
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Sweet ocean aroma without fishy odor
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Lively movement if purchasing live crabs
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Packaged with ice packs if shipped
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Harvested, processed, and shipped promptly
Reputable seafood retailers stand behind their product quality with guarantees. Don’t hesitate to reach out if your crabs don’t meet expectations.
Storing and Handling Soft Shell Crabs
These delicate crabs require careful handling to maintain texture:
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If live, keep damp newspaper or towel over crabs and store in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
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Frozen soft shells can be stored in freezer up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before cooking.
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Once thawed or cooked, eat soft shell crabs within 2-3 days and don’t refreeze.
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Rinse just before cooking and pat dry to prevent sogginess. Fry, sauté or bake immediately after thawing/cleaning.
With proper handling, fresh soft shell crabs deliver sweet, tender meat you can enjoy even if they were shipped.
Popular Ways to Prepare Soft Shell Crabs
Now that you have found a reliable soft shell crab source nearby or online, it’s time to savor these delicious crustaceans. Here are some mouthwatering ways to cook soft shell crabs:
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Fried soft shell crabs – The most popular preparation! Dredge in flour, egg wash and breadcrumbs then fry until golden brown.
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Soft shell crab po’ boy – stuff fried soft shells into a toasted sub roll with lettuce, tomato and remoulade sauce.
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Soft shell crab BLT – Top fried soft shells with crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo between bread slices.
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Grilled soft shell crabs – Baste crab tops with butter or olive oil and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly charred.
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Sauteed soft shell crabs – Quickly saute crabs in butter and garlic for 2 minutes per side. Finish with a squirt of lemon.
Any way you prepare them, soft shell crabs are a sublime warm weather treat. Follow these tips to track down soft shells near you and savor the delicacy of this seasonal seafood. Don’t let geography stop you from enjoying one of nature’s tasty gifts from the sea. Happy soft shell crab hunting!
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Big Size: On the crab grading charts, this means two for a nice main dish or one for an appetizer. Southern Connection in Crisfield, Maryland, is where we buy our crabs and has been for more than 20 years. They catch the crabs at night and ship them to us by 4 a.m. I don’t think it’s possible to get fresher crabs. That’s what we do. We think the only way to do Overnight Crabs without making you all mad is to Dress them, which is another word for Clean them. They are cleaned, wrapped, and packed as soon as we get them, and we make sure they are jumping. It JUST MAKES SENSE.
Area of Origin: Maryland, USA
What you get:
6 or 12 – Cleaned, Maryland Soft Shell Crabs, Jumbo Size
Chef Adams cooking tip:
Do as little as possible to this perfect product
Again we want 5 ingredients or less so here we go 1. crabs, 2. flour of your liking, 3. eggs ,4. panko (we carry), 5. S&P, 6. Herbs (herbs dont count).
Saute in butter and olive oil mixed 50/50. I like this mix; let me know if you do too.
Good ingredients yield awesome meals- –
The standard breading is flour, egg, and panko in that order. No need to measure because we’re all pros, right? Season the flour and eggs with salt, pepper, and herbs to make it easy to spread on the crabs.
As we are sautéing and not deep-frying, add the oil and butter to the pan. Heat it up until the back of a wooden spoon bubbles.
Saute 3/4 min each side till golden and finish in a 350-degree oven about 8/10 minutes – yum
You can serve it with any of our sauces. As for me, I like the Mustard or Yogurt Dill with a splash of Tabasco.
Zone 1:
Flat Rate Delivery $35.00 for orders below $75 (after all discounts)
Flat Rate Delivery $22.99 for orders between $75 and $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Zone 2:
Flat Rate Delivery $65.00 for orders below $75 (after all discounts)
Flat Rate Delivery $34.99 for orders between $75 and $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Zone 3:
Flat Rate Delivery $65.00 for orders below $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Zone 4:
Flat Rate Delivery $65.00 for orders below $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Zone 5:
Flat Rate Delivery $65.00 for orders below $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Alaska:
Flat Rate Delivery $85.00 for orders under $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
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Description & Nutritional Info
Big Size: On the crab grading charts, this means two for a nice main dish or one for an appetizer. Southern Connection in Crisfield, Maryland, is where we buy our crabs and has been for more than 20 years. They catch the crabs at night and ship them to us by 4 a.m. I don’t think it’s possible to get fresher crabs. That’s what we do. We think the only way to do Overnight Crabs without making you all mad is to Dress them, which is another word for Clean them. They are cleaned, wrapped, and packed as soon as we get them, and we make sure they are jumping. It JUST MAKES SENSE.
Area of Origin: Maryland, USA
What you get:
6 or 12 – Cleaned, Maryland Soft Shell Crabs, Jumbo Size
Chef Adams cooking tip:
Do as little as possible to this perfect product
Again we want 5 ingredients or less so here we go 1. crabs, 2. flour of your liking, 3. eggs ,4. panko (we carry), 5. S&P, 6. Herbs (herbs dont count).
Saute in butter and olive oil mixed 50/50. I like this mix; let me know if you do too.
Good ingredients yield awesome meals- –
The standard breading is flour, egg, and panko in that order. No need to measure because we’re all pros, right? Season the flour and eggs with salt, pepper, and herbs to make it easy to spread on the crabs.
As we are sautéing and not deep-frying, add the oil and butter to the pan. Heat it up until the back of a wooden spoon bubbles.
Saute 3/4 min each side till golden and finish in a 350-degree oven about 8/10 minutes – yum
You can serve it with any of our sauces. As for me, I like the Mustard or Yogurt Dill with a splash of Tabasco.
Zone 1:
Flat Rate Delivery $35.00 for orders below $75 (after all discounts)
Flat Rate Delivery $22.99 for orders between $75 and $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Zone 2:
Flat Rate Delivery $65.00 for orders below $75 (after all discounts)
Flat Rate Delivery $34.99 for orders between $75 and $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Zone 3:
Flat Rate Delivery $65.00 for orders below $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Zone 4:
Flat Rate Delivery $65.00 for orders below $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Zone 5:
Flat Rate Delivery $65.00 for orders below $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Alaska:
Flat Rate Delivery $85.00 for orders under $175 (after all discounts)
Free Delivery on orders $175 and above (after all discounts)
Our eco-friendly cool box will come with the right amount of dry ice or gel packs for your order. Your products will be riding in high-style & arrive in pristine condition.
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- Use with gel or dry ice
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Where I buy Soft Shell Crabs
FAQ
What months are soft-shell crabs available?
How to get soft-shell crabs?
Does Florida have soft-shell crabs?
Why are soft-shell crabs so expensive?
Where can I buy Maryland soft shell crabs?
You can buy Maryland soft shell crabs online from Cameron’s Seafood. We are a True Blue certified partner, ensuring that we sell only 100% authentic Maryland crabs. Enjoy the convenience of having them delivered right to your door.
Where can I find information about soft shell crabs?
For more information about J&W Seafood’s soft shell crabs, please contact us via our Wholesale Connect Form. We offer our Chesapeake Bay Soft Shell Crabs in the forms of live, fresh dressed, and frozen. They are graded by the following grades: Whales, Jumbo, Prime, and Hotels.
What is the size of a soft shell crab?
Soft shell crabs are 5 – 5 ½ inches in size. They are one of America’s favorite seafood delicacies, carefully selected for their superior quality and size. Our soft shell crabs are cleaned, frozen, and ready to be prepared to your liking. They’re only available while supplies last.
Are soft shell crabs delicious?
Soft shell crabs are a versatile protein with a rich, tender flavor and texture, making them a favored delicacy across the country. Fabulous soft shells!! Super fast shipping. Definitely 10 out of 10! When are Soft Shell Crabs in season?