Crab legs are a delicious and popular seafood treat enjoyed by many Their sweet, succulent meat hidden within the hard shell makes for an exciting eating experience when cracking them open But where can you get high-quality fresh crab legs? I’ve outlined the best places and tips below so you can enjoy tasty crab legs anytime.
The Best Places to Buy Fresh Crab Legs
Local Seafood Markets
One of the best places to find fresh crab legs is your local seafood market, Make friends with the fishmongers to get first picks of the catch and insider tips on the freshest shipments The crab will be sourced locally so you know it hasn’t traveled far Seek out respected seafood markets known for their excellent quality, Ask questions when you’re there to learn more about the type of crab and its origin,
Fish Shops and Seafood Restaurants
Great fish shops and seafood restaurants often have fresh live crab available You can ask them to cook and crack the crab legs for you to take home This saves the work of having to cook them yourself, And you can get them freshly cooked!
Online Seafood Retailers
For craving convenience, the best online seafood retailers like FishEx ship fresh frozen crab overnight to your door. Look for reputable companies located near prime fishing waters like Alaska. They’ll have partnerships with local fishermen to supply fresh-caught crab. The crab is professionally processed and flash-frozen at peak freshness to lock in flavor and texture.
Direct from the Fishing Docks
If you live in a coastal town with a fishing fleet, check when they come into port. You may be able to buy crab direct off the fishing boats. This is the freshest you can get, just hours from being caught. Be prepared to clean and cook the crab yourself.
Asian Food Markets
Many Asian food marts stock various crab species from desired regions. They’ll likely have frozen options but check for any fresh live crab. Chat with the staff to learn more about how a specific type of crab is caught and its unique qualities.
The Wharf at Fisherman’s Wharf
At the famous Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, you’ll find freshly cooked Dungeness crab for sale. Watch the crab pots being lifted right off the boats! You can buy pre-cooked crab legs and claws by the pound or whole crab to take away.
Buying Fresh vs. Frozen Crab Legs
Fresh crab is cooked alive right before eating to ensure the sweetest taste. But fresh crab legs only last 1-2 days after cooking. So for most people, frozen pre-cooked crab legs are the best option. Here’s how fresh and frozen compare:
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Fresh – Highest quality and flavor but extremely limited shelf life. Must be cooked and eaten immediately.
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Frozen – Flavor and texture locked in at peak quality. Convenient to buy in advance and thaw when needed. Lasts 6-12 months frozen. The next best thing from fresh.
Go with frozen legs for a reliably delicious crab experience anytime without the stress. High-end frozen crab is flash-frozen immediately after cooking to seal in every drop of sweetness. Reputable seafood companies like FishEx use this quick-freeze process for crab with top-notch results.
What Types of Crab Legs Should I Buy?
Not all crab legs are equal. Here are the best crab species for their superior flavor, meat yield and ease of cracking:
King Crab
The king of crab legs, and the largest. Prized for their huge size, thick white meat and sweeter taste. Red and golden king crab from Alaska are the best. Go for chunks, split legs or whole legs.
Snow Crab
A favorite for their long, shapely legs bursting with flaky white meat. Snow crab legs from Alaska, Russia and Canada are milder in flavor but very meaty. Get cluster legs or individual legs.
Dungeness Crab
Plump legs and claws packed with sweet, moist meat. Dungeness crab lives off the Pacific Northwest coast. Great value for smaller budgets. Buy legs, claws or whole cooked crab.
What Size Crab Legs Should I Choose?
Crab legs come in a range of sizes from small to giant. Larger crab legs mean thicker, chunkier meat, but smaller legs can offer more affordable options. Consider these general size grades when buying crab legs:
- Colossal or Jumbo: Over 1 lb per leg
- Extra Large or Super Colossal: 1/2 lb – 1 lb per leg
- Large: 1/4 lb – 1/2 lb per leg
- Medium or Standard: 1/8 lb – 1/4 lb per leg
- Small or Cocktail: Under 3 oz per leg
Jumbo legs make quite the presentation but cost more per pound. Medium leg clusters offer good meat for more budget-friendly crab feasts. Mix up sizes for variety!
What to Look for When Buying Crab Legs
Get the best quality crab legs by inspecting them closely before buying:
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Shell condition – Crab legs should look firm and untorn. Avoid cracked or damaged shells which indicate dry or spoiled meat.
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Leg shape – Legs should have a solid shape full of meat. Irregular, thin-looking legs often mean less meat yield.
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Color – Leg shells should appear bright white to light pink or reddish-brown depending on species. Avoid yellowed or grayish discoloration.
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Aroma – Fresh crab legs have a pleasant, briny seafood smell. Rancid or ammonia odors mean the crab has gone bad.
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Movement – Live crab should be actively moving legs. Weak movement or lifeless crab means poor quality.
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Frozen packaging – Frozen legs should show no signs of frost or ice crystals which indicate improper freezing.
Get the best deals on high-end frozen crab like king crab during peak winter fishing seasons. And stock up on value Dungeness or snow crab in late summer.
How Much Crab Legs Should I Buy?
To plan your crab leg feast, here are general serving estimates:
- Appetizer size: 4 oz of crab meat per person
- Entree size: 8 oz of crab meat per person
- For crab fans: 12 oz of crab meat per person
Along with side dishes, figure around 1 lb of Alaskan king crab legs feeds 1-2 people. 1 lb of snow crab feeds 1-3 people. And 1 lb of Dungeness crab feeds 2-3 people.
To be safe, it’s better to buy too much than not enough of this precious shellfish! Extras keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days after cooking.
Tips to Pick Out the Best Crab Legs
Follow these pro tips when shopping for crab legs:
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Inspect legs closely before buying as described above.
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For live crab, choose the most active, feisty ones. Avoid weak or lifeless crab.
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Pick by taste – splurge on king crab for special occasions, get snow crab for everyday seafood meals.
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With frozen legs, look for reputable seafood brands known for quality like FishEx.
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For whole cooked Dungeness or snow crab, choose crab around 2 lbs for easier eating.
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Ask the fishmonger questions – where was the crab caught, how long has it been in the store, what do they recommend, etc.
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Time it right – buy crab in peak winter and spring seasons when stocks are highest.
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Buy extra – having delicious leftover crab is never a bad thing!
How to Store Crab Legs
To maximize freshness, store crab legs properly:
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Fresh raw crab – Cook live crab the same day purchased. Store briefly on ice if needed.
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Cooked fresh crab – Refrigerate legs and claws in a colander to drain moisture. Use within 1-2 days.
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Frozen crab legs – Keep frozen at 0°F or below. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
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Leftover cooked legs – Refrigerate in a covered container up to 4 days.
Ready to Enjoy Fabulous Crab Legs?
East Coast Crab Selection
Though slightly different, our East Coast selection is just as exceptional. The primary East Coast crab we offer is the “Jonah or Rock Crab. You can get this crab in a lot of different forms, such as Jonah Crab Leg Meat, Jonah Crab Cocktail Claws, tasty Jonah Crab Roll Kits, Jonah Crab “Triple Scores” Claws, and we even use this delicious meat in our own Jonah Crab Cakes. Call us biased, but us New Englanders LOVE Jonah Crab.
Explore Our Diverse Selection Of King Crab Sizes
Embark on a journey of culinary indulgence with Maine Lobster Nows prized possession: our King Crab Legs. Our Red and Golden King Crab legs are highly sought after in the market because they taste so good and are of the highest quality. And that’s just the beginning. We have a variety of sizes, from “giant” to “Colossal” and “Super Colossal,” so you can easily host events of any size.
No matter your location, Maine Lobster Now stands as your premier destination for crab. Our crab is carefully stored in our own 10-degree Fahrenheit freezer, which means it stays frozen from the time we get it until it’s packed up and sent to you. Because it is packed with dry ice and sealed tightly in a box, our crab stays at its freshest all the way to your door. Because we have good relationships with shipping companies, your order will get to you within 24 hours of being packed, so you can enjoy the best seafood experience ever. Treat yourself and your guests to the unparalleled luxury of our King Crab Legs today!.
How To Get Meat Out of Snow Crab Legs – Easy and Fast
Where to eat crab legs?
Baltimore, Maryland, is a great place to eat your share of crab legs. The city is connected to the Chesapeake Bay, a waterway known for its blue crabs. Before they are cooked, the crabs have blue patches on their legs, claws, and shell (via National Wildlife Federation ).
Can you eat crab legs in America?
There are plenty of places in the U.S. that make the process of eating crab legs well worth it. Alaskan king, snow, Dungeness, blue, and stone crabs are the most popular varieties you’ll find in America (via Cameron’s Seafood ).
Can you get crab legs at Cajun seafood?
Per the menu, you can get a bag of crab legs at Cajun Seafood containing either blue, snow, or Dungeness crabs. The restaurant’s Tripadvisor reviews focus on the crab legs, even though many different forms of seafood are served. “I’d order from here again, and grab a couple of pounds of crab legs while I’m at it,” one person wrote.
Where to eat crab legs in Alaska?
King, Dungeness, and snow crabs are all caught in Alaska, according to Alaska Seafood. If you’re ever in the north and make it to Anchorage, an excellent place to get your fix of fresh crab legs is the Glacier Brewhouse. The brewery restaurant is known for its excellent beer and seafood.