Finding the Best Deals on Crab Legs

Crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat, but they can also be quite expensive. With prices ranging from $15 per pound for snow crab up to $50 per pound for king crab, a crab leg dinner can quickly put a dent in your wallet. However, with a bit of research and timing, you can often find great deals on crab legs that make this luxurious food more affordable. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for finding crab legs on sale so you can enjoy these tasty crustacean legs without breaking the bank.

Types of Crab Legs

There are a few main varieties of crab legs that you’ll see for sale:

Snow crab legs – These are legs from snow crab, a species found in colder waters like the Bering Sea near Alaska. Snow crab legs have a delicate, sweet flavor and are more affordable than king crab.

King crab legs – The largest and most prized type of crab legs these meaty legs come from the red king crab and can get up to a foot long. King crab has a richer more buttery taste.

Dungeness crab legs – From the Pacific Dungeness crab these smaller legs are sweeter and more tender than other crab varieties.

Stone crab claws – Technically claws, not legs, stone crab claws are harvested from Florida stone crabs. They have firm, tasty meat.

Knowing the types of crab legs and their typical price points will help you recognize a good deal when you see one. King crab legs tend to be the most expensive per pound, while snow crab legs are usually the most budget-friendly.

Check Weekly Specials at Local Stores

One of the best ways to find discounted crab legs is to check the weekly specials at stores in your area. Grocery store seafood departments will often run weekly deals on seafood items like crab legs, especially if they have an overstock of inventory. This is a great way to score crab legs at $10-15 less per pound than the regular price.

Check the store’s weekly ad or visit their website to see what crab legs go on special each week. Premium types like king crab may only go on sale a few times a year, while snow crab is discounted more frequently. Watch for holiday weekends like Memorial Day or Labor Day when you’re likely to find featured deals on seasonal seafood.

Local fish markets are another place to find crab legs on sale as they look to sell off extra inventory. Swing by your local market to check their current prices—you can sometimes grab fresh crab legs at up to half off the peak season cost.

Look for Online Deals

Another handy way to buy discounted crab legs is to shop online. Many online seafood retailers offer flexible shipping options that allow you to buy large quantities of crab legs and get them shipped overnight right to your door. This makes it easy to stock up on crab legs when you find a stellar sale price online.

Sites like Alaska King Crab currently have several varieties of king crab legs discounted 20-40% off with overnight shipping available. Keep an eye out for limited time sales like holiday weekends when you can snag king crab legs for as low as $35 per pound with free overnight shipping on orders over $300.

The bonus with online retailers is you can buy cooked, preprocessed crab legs that are ready to thaw, heat and eat, saving you time and effort. Just make sure to factor shipping costs into the total price to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Buy in Bulk When on Sale

Because crab legs are so expensive at full price, your best bet is to buy them in bulk when you can find discounted rates either locally or online. This approach allows you to stock up on crab legs at the sale price and enjoy them over several meals.

Aim to purchase at least 2-3 pounds of crab legs at once, keeping the following serving sizes in mind:

• 3/4 pound of Alaskan king crab legs = 2 servings
• 1 pound of snow crab legs = 2 servings
• 1 1/2 pounds Dungeness crab legs = 3-4 servings

Buying in bulk means you can serve up crab legs now and freeze any extras to enjoy later when prices spike again. Just make sure to wrap frozen crab legs tightly in plastic wrap or foil before defrosting to prevent freezer burn.

Be Flexible on Crab Types

While king crab legs are the most coveted variety, limiting yourself to only this premium type will make finding deals much harder. Expand your search to include snow crab legs and Dungeness crab legs which go on sale more often.

Budget-friendly snow crab legs offer a similar sweet taste and are perfect for crab boils or seafood platters. Switching to snow crab can save you $10-20 per pound compared to king crab.

You may also find better availability and prices for crab legs like Dungeness if you’re open to frozen vs fresh. Opting for frozen can mean bigger discounts.

Check Restaurant Week Specials

Restaurants often highlight luxe seafood like crab legs during annual restaurant weeks when they offer special prix fixe menus. In major cities, you can frequently find multi-course restaurant week menus that include an appetizer or shared plate of crab legs for $35-50 per person. This gives you a chance to enjoy high-quality crab legs for less than you’d pay to buy them yourself.

Most restaurant weeks take place January through March when business is slower after the holidays. Search “[Your City] Restaurant Week” to find details on special prix fixe menus that feature discounted crab legs to entice foodies to dine out.

Time it Right

Since most crab legs come from colder northern waters like Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, peak season when supplies are most abundant runs from winter through early spring. Prices are highest from summer into fall when availability drops off.

Aim to buy crab in winter and early spring when you’re more likely to find sales. You can further save by buying legs that were previously frozen at peak season instead of paying a premium for fresh legs out of season.

If you live near the crab source, stores may offer better deals in summer right after the peak harvest season. But for most people, the best deals will come during peak winter and spring harvesting time.

Don’t Forget the Extras

To complete your crab feast on a budget, shop smart for accompaniments like corn, potatoes, and garlic butter. Buy corn on the cob when it’s in peak local season for low prices. Opt for Russet or red potatoes which are always budget-friendly. Making your own garlic butter sauce is cheaper than buying premade.

With some flexible timing and savvy shopping, you can put together an entire crab leg dinner with sides while still saving money. Those few extra dollars per pound really add up when buying multiple pounds of crab for a crowd.

Get Creative in the Kitchen

While boiled or steamed crab legs are classic, getting creative in the kitchen can help your crab meat stretch further so you get more bang for your buck. Try using crab meat in pastas, frittatas, crab cakes, or stir fries over rice.

Some examples:

• Crab mac and cheese – fold crab meat into mac and cheese
• Crab omelet – combine crab meat with eggs for a protein-packed breakfast
• Crab fried rice – stir leftover crab into rice with veggies and eggs
• Crab salad wraps – mix crab meat with mayo, celery, and lemon for sandwiches

Getting 2-3 extra meals out of a pound of crab meat makes those sale splurges go even further.

Enjoy the Treat!

At the end of the day, crab legs are still a luxury indulgence, even when on sale. Don’t forget to actually slow down and enjoy this special treat once you’ve found the perfect crab leg sale. Set the mood with candles, wine, and good company. Savor the sweet, succulent meat and make your discounted crab legs feel like a fine dining experience.

With the right timing, smart shopping strategies, and clever kitchen skills, you can get your fill of delicious crab legs without draining your wallet. Follow these tips to become a savvy crab leg shopper who knows how to sniff out the best deals. Then get ready to crack open those crab legs and enjoy the sweet rewards of your bargain hunting efforts!