Crab legs are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat, but they can also come with a hefty price tag. However, for those looking to satisfy their crab craving on a budget, there are a few places that reliably offer crab legs at a discounted rate. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover some of the best spots to find crab legs on sale, so you can get your fill of delectable crustacean without breaking the bank.

Online Seafood Retailers Offer Seasonal Sales

One of the best places to find crab legs on sale is through online seafood retailers that run special promotions and discounts on crab throughout the year. For instance, Alaskan King Crab frequently offers sales on their wild-caught king crab legs, claws, and clusters when they are in peak season. Right now, they have several king crab products marked down for their Father’s Day sale, including legs starting at $19.99 per pound and combo boxes with crab and lobster tails discounted 20-25% off.

In addition to seasonal sales many online seafood companies offer first-time customer promotions loyalty discounts for repeat buyers, and special deals around holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve when demand for crab is high. Sites like Alaskan King Crab make it easy to stock up on crab legs at a fraction of the typical cost when you time your purchase right.

Grocery Store Weekly Ads and Loyalty Programs

Your local grocery store can also be a great place to score crab legs on a budget if you pay attention to their weekly sales flyers and loyalty programs. Major chains like Kroger Safeway, Publix and Albertsons will often discount frozen crab legs or include them in weekly promos like “buy one, get one free” deals.

To find the best crab leg sales at your grocery store, scan their weekly ad for seafood specials and clip any coupons or promo codes for extra savings on frozen seafood. You can also look out for weekly deals by signing up for loyalty programs which send members exclusive coupon mailers and discounted offers.

When crab legs go on sale, stock up and take advantage of loyalty program perks like discounted prices for buying multiples or redeeming points for money off your seafood purchases. Shopping crab promotions at the grocery store takes a bit more planning, but the savings can be worth it.

Warehouse Clubs Offer Bulk Discounted Crab

For shoppers looking to buy crab legs in bulk for a big event or meal prep, warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale are go-to sources for major savings. These members-only stores carry large pack sizes of crab legs, often at $2-3 less per pound compared to traditional grocery stores.

Around major crab seasons and holidays, discounts can drop even lower. For example, a recent search showed Costco selling 4-5 lb bags of king crab legs for $18.99/lb, while the same product was $24.99/lb at my local supermarket. Buying in bulk means even bigger total savings.

Warehouse clubs may require an annual membership fee, but frequent shoppers can easily recoup the cost through lower prices on pantry essentials, household items, and seasonal treats like crab. If you’re feeding a big family or planning a special menu, check your local warehouse store for the best bulk crab leg deals.

Local Fish Markets and Seafood Shops

In coastal areas, visiting a local fish market or seafood shop can unlock excellent deals on fresh crab direct from regional fishermen. Without the overhead and transportation costs of bigger retailers, mom-and-pop fish mongers can often offer lower prices on in-season catches like Dungeness crab, rock crab, blue crab, and other local varieties.

Many small seafood shops run weekly promotions on fresh crab legs at the peak of fishing season. Building a relationship with a trusted local fish market is a great way to stay informed on when new shipments of crab will be coming in and snag the best deals on large quantities of fresh legs.

Direct from the Docks

Finally, those located near major fishing ports can score incredible deals on fresh crab by buying direct from the docks, right off the boat. In places like Alaska, Maryland, Maine, and the Pacific Northwest, independent crab fishermen will sell dockside to the public when they return with a big haul.

Getting up early to hit the docks on delivery days can yield insanely good prices on Dungeness, king crab, snow crab, and other regional varieties straight from the source. Just be prepared to purchase large quantities—think 30 lbs or more per customer. But if you have ample freezer space or are planning a huge feast, dockside crab can be a budget savers dream.

Tips for Saving on Crab Legs

Beyond looking for the best crab sales and deals, there are a few additional tips that can help you maximize savings on this sought-after shellfish:

• Buy in bulk when possible – Larger pack sizes at warehouse clubs or direct from docks mean lower per-pound pricing in most cases. Go big on your order and break it down into meal-size portions at home.

• Purchase whole crab vs. sections – Whole crab legs, clusters, and claws typically cost less per pound than pre-sectioned and pre-shelled meat. Do the cracking and shelling yourself for cheaper crab.

• Allow flexibility on species – Premium king and snow crab legs cost more than blue crab, Dungeness, etc. Opt for whatever’s freshest and cheapest locally.

• Check for promotions – Many retailers offer discounted shipping, first-time subscriber deals, and other promos that can lower the overall cost on your order.

• Use loyalty programs and rewards – Earn points and perks for discounted or free shipping and other savings opportunities.

How to Prepare and Cook Discount Crab Legs

Once you’ve sourced budget-friendly crab legs, you’ll want to make sure you prepare and cook them properly to enjoy the sweet, succulent meat. Here are some top tips:

• Thaw safely – For frozen crab, thaw overnight in the fridge vs. on the counter to prevent spoilage. Don’t re-freeze after thawing.

• Clean thoroughly – Give raw crab legs a cold water rinse before cooking to remove debris and bacteria. Pat dry.

• Crack before cooking – Use a mallet to crack crab shells prior to cooking, which allows seasoning and heat to penetrate better.

• Go low and slow – Boil, steam, or bake crab legs gently to prevent overcooking. Opt for lower temperatures (200°F – 250°F) and longer cook times (10-20 minutes).

• Use simple seasoning – A drizzle of lemon butter or old bay seasoning is all you need to let the crab’s sweet flavor shine. Avoid overshadowing it with complicated mixes.

• Extract the meat – Once cooked, let crab cool slightly before breaking open shells and sliding out lumps of meat with small forks. Discard empty shells.

Satisfying and Affordable Meals with Crab Legs

From impressive appetizers to weeknight dinners, crab legs purchased at a discount make for satisfying meals that won’t demolish your grocery budget. Here are some of my go-to recipes for putting bargain crab legs to delicious use:

Easy Baked Crab Legs

Drizzled in garlic butter, Old Bay, and fresh lemon juice—these simple baked crab legs are tender, flaky, and packed with sweet crab flavor in every bite. Serve with crusty bread for dipping up the juices.

Crab Leg Cakes

For an easy twist on classic crab cakes, substitute budget-friendly crab leg meat for jumbo lump crab and pan fry for a crispy exterior. Served over greens, they make an elegant meal.

Crab Leg Frittata

Eggs bulk up discounted crab legs into a hearty brunch or dinner option. Combine with eggs, veggies, and cheese then bake into a protein and vitamin-packed frittata.

Cold Crab Leg Salad

Flake affordable crab leg meat over mixed greens, diced mango, and avocado for a simple salad that feels fancy. The sweet crab pairs perfectly with bright citrus dressing.

Crab Leg Dip

For an indulgent appetizer, blend crab leg meat with cream cheese, spices, and green onion. Bake and serve with crackers or crusty bread for a rich, crave-worthy dip.

Crab Legs Can Fit Your Budget

Treat yourself to tender, sweet crab legs even on a budget by shopping smart and keeping an eye out for the best deals. Combining online sales, grocery store discounts, bulk warehouse purchases, and buying direct from local fishermen can yield impressive savings on this premium shellfish. Armed with proper cooking techniques and simple recipes, discounted crab legs make for amazing meals that won’t break the bank. Get cracking on those deals